Is Vietnam expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
No: Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Asia for travellers, generally cheaper than Thailand for food, rooms and transport. A budget traveller needs about 650,000₫ (roughly US$25) a day, mid-range about 1,700,000₫ and comfort about 4,500,000₫ per person. Domestic flights, Ha Long Bay cruises and tours are the big costs; street food is very cheap.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | ₫250,000 | ₫700,000 | ₫2,000,000 |
| Food & drink | ₫250,000 | ₫500,000 | ₫1,200,000 |
| Sights & tickets | ₫100,000 | ₫300,000 | ₫800,000 |
| Local transport | ₫50,000 | ₫200,000 | ₫500,000 |
| Per person, per day | ₫650,000 | ₫1,700,000 | ₫4,500,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Vietnam day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Bowl of pho | about 50,000₫ |
| Street-food dish | 30,000–70,000₫ |
| Bun cha in Hanoi | about 50,000–70,000₫ |
| Banh mi in Hoi An | about 30,000₫ |
| Temple of Literature, Hanoi | about 70,000₫ |
| Hoi An Ancient Town ticket (five sites) | 120,000₫ |
| Domestic flight | often 1,000,000–2,000,000₫ |
| Ha Long Bay overnight cruise, per person | about 3,000,000–7,000,000₫ |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
On a north-to-south trip, domestic flights and a Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay cruise are the largest single costs. Rooms range from 400,000–800,000₫ in Hanoi's Old Quarter or Hoi An homestays to 4,000,000–10,000,000₫ in colonial hotels and beach resorts. Entry tickets are low, mostly 40,000–250,000₫, and street food costs very little, so a frugal day without tours is cheap.
When it is cheaper
Rooms are cheaper in the low and rainy seasons, which differ by region, for example the central coast from October to December. Prices rise sharply around Tet (late January or February), when much of the country travels.
How to spend less
- Eat street food and at local com (rice) shops; most dishes cost 30,000–70,000₫.
- Use Grab in all cities to avoid taxi overcharging.
- Book domestic flights early on Vietnam Airlines, VietJet or Vietravel Airlines.
- Choose Lan Ha Bay or a mid-range cruise rather than a luxury boat.
- Drink bia hoi, fresh draught beer, instead of imported drinks.
- Avoid travelling during Tet, when transport and rooms are expensive and many places close.
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Common questions
Is Vietnam expensive?
No. About 650,000₫ (roughly US$25) a day on a budget and 1,700,000₫ mid-range per person, plus flights and cruises.
How much is a Ha Long Bay cruise?
About 3,000,000–7,000,000₫ per person for an overnight cruise, depending on the boat.
How much do domestic flights cost?
Often 1,000,000–2,000,000₫ between Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon; book early.