Vietnam Trip Budget: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025

1. Understanding the cost of travel in Vietnam

1.1. Average daily budget in Vietnam

Vietnam caters for all comers, from the most budget-restricted backpacker to the most luxury-orientated premium seeker. Here’s what the average daily Vietnam travel budget looks like:

- Budget ($25–$35/day): This will work for backpackers and other independent travelers who are staying in hostels, eating food from the streets, and taking public transportation.

- Mid-Priced ($50–$80/day): Recommend for couples, families, or anyone wanting some comfort like boutique hotels, restaurant meals, and guided tours from time to time.

- Luxury ($150–$300+/day): Much closer to five-star hotels, limousine and fine dining and exclusive, e.g. a private Halong Bay cruise.

It's no wonder Vietnam remains a much accessible destination by travelers of all types in terms of value compared to its neighbors Thailand or Malaysia.

1.2. Budget for a week-long Vietnam trip

How much you plan to spend in a one-week trip to Vietnam varies according to style:

- Budget Traveler: $175–$245

- Mid-range Traveler: $350–$560

- Luxury Traveler: $1,050–$2,100

One might note that these figures take into account accommodation, food, local transport, simple sightseeing along with some internal flights or flights to places like Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City.

In case you are going to visit all three regions (northern, central, southern), remember to also spend extra money on domestic flights or night trains.

2. Detailed breakdown of expenses

2.1. Accommodation costs

One of the biggest factors to consider in setting your budget for your Vietnam holiday is accommodation. Here’s a breakdown of some typical accommodations that can help you determine your budget:

• Hostels and Guesthouses (per night: $5–$15): You may find shared dorms and basic private rooms available, often complemented by free Wi-Fi, and maybe breakfast. These are well-known in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Hoi An.
• Mid-range Hotels and Boutique Stays (per night: $25–$50): Air-con, daily maid service, central location; rooms can be very comfortable; suitable for couples or families.
• Luxury Resorts and 5-Star Hotels ( $100–$500 per night): Beachfront villas in Phu Quoc, elegant colonial hotels in Hanoi, and world-class resorts in Da Nang. The luxury experience at incredibly competitive prices.

Prices shoot up over Tet Holiday and major festivals and so booking well in advance is highly advisable.

2.2. Food and drink expenses

Vietnam, heaven for food lovers so many world-famous dishes at incredibly low prices

• Street Food ($1–$3): Phở, bún thịt nướng, bánh mì, gỏi cuốn - the taste is as good as the price is very cheap and that’s the beauty of these dishes. Night markets and street corners are your money saver.
• Local Restaurants ($5–$10): One can have a heavy meal in restaurants that provide cơm tấm, lẩu or just a selection of seafood at fair rates.
• Western or High-End Restaurants ($10–$20+): Tourist hotspots are where pizza, burgers, and steaks reign. Prices are higher, but they're still cheaper than in Western countries.
• Drinks: A bottle of local beer, either Saigon or Bia Hanoi, goes for about $1–$2. A Vietnamese coffee (cà phê sữa đá) will knock you out and costs about $1–$3.

Tipping at restaurants is not mandatory but if the service is exceptional then it is always appreciated.

2.3. Transportation costs

Transportation in Vietnam is very budget-friendly for the traveler:

• Public Buses ($0.30- $1): Dirt cheap, but usually, that is because they are used seriously for short distances within the cities.
• Taxis and Ride-hailing Apps ($0.50 – $0.70 per km): Both Grab, Be as well as Xanh SM taxis are all reliable with easy app bookings; always confirm prices or use the app to avoid any sort of misunderstanding.
• Scooter Rentals ($5–$10 a Day): In beach towns and rural areas, it's quite common to rent a scooter. Make sure you have an international driver's permit.

• Flights ($30–$100): Cheap if reserved well in advance. Good for covering long distances, for instance, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Over 30 hours by train.

Buses between major cities such as Hoi An to Nha Trang run overnight and are quite in vogue allowing the traveler to save on an accommodation cost for one night.

2.4. Activity and entrance fees

Travel provides experiences ranging from excellent to budget on all levels.

• Halong Bay Cruise: Approximately $150 per head for the standard two days one night package including meals and kayaking; luxury can go up to $300-400
• Museum and Historical Site Entry: Vary from $1–$5 in most cases; these apply to such popular sites as the War Remnants Museum (Ho Chi Minh City) and Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi).
• Guided Tours: Half-day city tour, food tour, or half-day countryside bicycle ride averages between $20 and $50 depending on group size and what’s included.

Please, always ask whether entrance fees cover guides or are separate.

3. Tips for budget travel in Vietnam

Traveling Vietnam on a budget doesn’t have to mean roughing it or skimping on experiences. With just a few smart choices, you can make your money stretch much further. Here are the need-to-knows, to managing your Vietnam travel budget with smarts:

3.1. Saving on accommodation

Book your accommodation as far in advance as possible, especially at peak periods such as during Tet or other major festivals when prices can shoot up.

Avoid the big touristed centers and opt for small towns and cities like Ninh Binh, Quy Nhon, or Ben Tre, where accommodations tend to be much lower and experiences are often more genuine.

3.2. Eating like a local

Opting for local food joints and street food vendors is a good strategy to relish authentic Vietnamese food without burning a hole in your pocket. Crowded places deliver it to be fresh and of good quality.

One more basic thing to do is walk a few streets off the main tourist areas, where prices are often better and it tastes much more genuinely local.

3.3. Affordable transportation

Using ride-hailing apps like Grab or Be, Xanh SM makes it easy and transparent to travel around the city. Before starting your ride, always check the driver’s information provided in the app to avoid any confusion and for safety.

Overnight sleeper buses or trains between the cities are very budget-friendly because they save you one night’s accommodation and add to a great ‘local’ travel experience

3.4. Budget-friendly activities

Hitting up local markets like Hanoi’s Dong Xuan Market or Saigon’s Ben Thanh Market is a super cool cultural experience if you’re into that and it doesn’t cost much.

Many other attractions in the city do not charge an entrance fee, such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon and many pagodas in and around the city.

For those into guided experiences, group tours over private ones can bring significant costs down while still offering informative and memorable experiences.

4. Sample daily Vietnam travel budget itineraries

4.1. Budget traveler ($25–$35/day)

• Accommodation: $5–$15(shared hostel dorms, budget guesthouses)
• Food: $8–$12(street food, small eateries)
• Transportation: $2–$5(buses, walking, GrabBike)
• Activities: $5–$10(markets, temples, ‘free’ walking tour).

Best for: backpackers, students or anyone travelling alone and looking to get the most out of Vietnam on a limited budget.

4.2. Mid-range traveler ($50–$80/day)

• Accommodation: $25–$40 (nice hotels, boutique stays)

• Food: $15–$25 (local restaurants, occasional Western food)

• Transportation: $5–$10 (Grab, occasional taxis, motorbike rental)

• Activities: $10–$20 (guided city tours, entrance fees)

Ideal for couples, families, and travelers wanting comfort without luxury pricing.

4.3. Luxury traveler ($150–$300+/day)

• Accommodation: $100–$200+ (5-star hotels, beach resorts)

• Food: $40–$70 (fine dining, international cuisine)

• Transportation: $20–$50 (private transfers, domestic flights)

• Activities: $30–$80 (luxury cruises, spa treatments, exclusive tours)

Perfect for those looking for personalized, high-end experiences throughout Vietnam.

Note: Prices are estimates and may vary depending on city, season, and personal preferences.

Putting together the perfect budget for a trip to Vietnam can be a bit of a head-scratcher with so many cool things to spend money on.

Contact us if you want personalized advice based on your interests, travel style, and budget goals. We have local experts to help you crack the code on a personalized Vietnam itinerary that will save time, stay within budget, and enjoy in trip with less stress.

5. Conclusion

It is much flexible traveling in Vietnam whether you are on a budget. A luxurious way out is exploring Vietnam. A good understanding of the average traveling cost and careful planning in Vietnam can make a trip very rich and memorable without being too expensive. No matter what your style is, your dream Vietnam holiday budget is within reach. All it takes is wise planning and embracement of the adventure that lies in wait.