Vietnam is one of the most affordable countries in Southeast Asia and still offers excellent value in 2026.
Most travelers can expect to spend around €25–€35 per day on a budget trip, around €40–€65 per day for a comfortable mid-range trip, and €100+ per day for a more luxury-style trip.
This guide breaks down the real cost of traveling in Vietnam, including accommodation, food, transport, activities, and realistic budgets for 1-week and 2-week trips.
Vietnam is often the cheapest destination in the region, but prices vary across Southeast Asia. For a full regional comparison, see our guide to how much does a trip to Southeast Asia cost.
Vietnam continues to attract millions of visitors every year thanks to its affordability and culture, according to international tourism statistics.
Quick answer: is Vietnam cheap to travel?
Vietnam remains one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia.
It offers excellent value for accommodation, street food and transport. You can travel comfortably on a small budget without sacrificing experiences.
| Travel style | Daily budget per person |
|---|---|
| Budget traveler | €25–€35 |
| Mid-range traveler | €40–€65 |
| Luxury traveler | €100+ |
Vietnam is ideal for both backpackers and mid-range travelers.
Typical daily costs in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia for everyday travel. Street food, guesthouses and local transport are extremely affordable compared with Western destinations.
Typical daily prices include:
| Item | Average price |
|---|---|
| Street food meal | €1–€3 |
| Local restaurant | €3–€6 |
| Hostel dorm | €6–€12 |
| Budget hotel | €15–€35 |
| Motorbike rental | €5–€8 per day |
These low everyday prices are one of the main reasons Vietnam remains popular with backpackers and long-term travelers.
Vietnam vs Thailand cost comparison
Vietnam is usually cheaper than Thailand for everyday travel costs, especially for food, coffee, local transport, and budget accommodation.
| Expense | Vietnam | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | $1.50 | $2.50 |
| Local beer | $0.75 | $1.75 |
| Hostel dorm | $9 | $12 |
| Grab/Bolt ride | $2 | $4 |
| Boutique hotel | $40 | $55 |
Vietnam usually wins on daily affordability, especially for food, coffee, and accommodation. For a fuller Thailand breakdown, read how much a trip to Thailand costs.
Flight cost to Vietnam
Flights depend heavily on your departure location and season.
Average return flights:
• Europe → Vietnam: €500–€800
• UK → Vietnam: €550–€850
• US → Vietnam: €700–€1,100
Booking 2–4 months in advance usually gives the best prices.
Accommodation costs in Vietnam
Accommodation in Vietnam offers some of the best value in Asia.
Budget accommodation
• Hostel dorm bed: €5–€9
• Budget guesthouse/private room: €12–€20
Mid-range hotels
• 3-star hotels: €25–€40
• Boutique hotels: €35–€60
Luxury hotels
• 4–5 star hotels: €80–€150+
You can stay in high-quality hotels for a fraction of Western prices.
Food prices in Vietnam
Food is one of the biggest reasons Vietnam is so affordable.
Street food is everywhere and extremely cheap.
Typical food prices:
• Pho or local noodle soup: €1.50–€2.50
• Banh mi sandwich: €1–€2
• Restaurant meal: €4–€7
• Coffee: €1–€2
• Beer: €0.70–€1.50
You can eat very well for under €10 per day.
Coffee and convenience store prices in Vietnam
Vietnam’s coffee culture is one of the reasons the country feels so affordable day to day. Cafés are everywhere, and even travelers who stop for coffee regularly usually spend very little.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Vietnamese iced coffee | $1–2 |
| Specialty café coffee | $2–3 |
| Bottled water | $0.40 |
| Local beer | $0.75 |
| Snacks | $0.50–1 |
These small everyday costs make a real difference over a one-week or two-week trip, especially for backpackers and longer-term travelers.
Transport costs in Vietnam
Vietnam is long and narrow, so transport is an important part of the budget.
Local transport
• Grab motorbike ride: €1–€2
• Taxi short ride: €2–€4
• City bus: under €1
Travel between cities
| Route | Price |
|---|---|
| Hanoi → Ha Long Bay bus | €10–€15 |
| Hanoi → Hue sleeper train | €30–€40 |
| Hue → Da Nang | €7–€10 |
| Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh flight | €35–€60 |
Domestic flights are cheap and save time.
Attraction and activity prices
Vietnam offers excellent value for experiences.
Typical costs:
• Ha Long Bay day trip: €35–€60
• Cooking class: €20–€30
• Museum entry: €1–€3
• Temple entry: €2–€5
• Motorbike rental per day: €5–€8
Activities rarely break the budget.
Travelers often compare Vietnam with Thailand when planning their Southeast Asia itinerary. You can see the full comparison in our breakdown of how much a trip to Thailand costs.
How much does a 1-week trip to Vietnam cost?
Budget traveler
• Flights: €550
• Accommodation: €70
• Food: €70
• Transport: €70
• Activities: €80
Total: €840 per person
Mid-range traveler
• Flights: €650
• Accommodation: €200
• Food: €120
• Transport: €120
• Activities: €120
Total: €1,210 per person
How much does a 2-week trip to Vietnam cost?
Budget traveler
• Flights: €550
• Accommodation: €140
• Food: €140
• Transport: €140
• Activities: €160
Total: €1,130 per person
Mid-range traveler
• Flights: €650
• Accommodation: €400
• Food: €240
• Transport: €240
• Activities: €240
Total: €1,770 per person
Vietnam is also often compared with neighboring Cambodia and Laos because all three countries are extremely affordable. See our detailed guide to how much a trip to Cambodia costs.
Sample 10-day Vietnam trip budget
Example mid-range itinerary:
Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City
Typical budget breakdown:
• Flights: €650
• Hotels: €350
• Food: €180
• Transport: €180
• Activities: €180
Total: €1,540 per person
Cost of traveling north to south
Many travelers do a north-to-south itinerary.
Typical route:
Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hue → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City.
This route offers the best mix of culture, food and scenery.
Average cost for this itinerary:
• Budget: €30/day
• Mid-range: €55/day
North, central and south Vietnam cost differences
Vietnam is affordable almost everywhere, but some regions are slightly cheaper than others.
North Vietnam
Northern Vietnam is often the cheapest part of the country for travelers. Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Giang, and Sapa usually offer excellent value for accommodation, food, and local transport.
Central Vietnam
Central destinations like Hue, Hoi An, and Da Nang are still affordable, but prices can rise in the most popular tourist areas, especially around beach zones and boutique stays.
South Vietnam
Southern Vietnam is usually a little more expensive on average, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc, where nightlife, convenience, and resort-style travel can push daily costs higher.
Vietnam remains affordable from north to south. If you’re deciding between regional value and trip style, compare Vietnam vs Philippines for a side-by-side cost breakdown.
Cost of popular cities in Vietnam
Vietnam prices vary depending on the city you visit. Major tourist hubs are slightly more expensive, while smaller towns are extremely cheap.
Hanoi
Vietnam’s capital offers excellent value.
Average daily budget:
• Budget traveler: €28/day
• Mid-range traveler: €55/day
Street food is everywhere and accommodation is very affordable.
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s largest city is slightly more expensive than Hanoi but still very affordable.
Average daily budget:
• Budget traveler: €30/day
• Mid-range traveler: €60/day
Transport and nightlife increase daily costs slightly.
Hoi An & Da Nang
Central Vietnam offers some of the best value for accommodation and food.
Average daily budget:
• Budget traveler: €27/day
• Mid-range traveler: €50/day
Hoi An is one of the best value destinations in Southeast Asia
Backpacking vs mid-range vs luxury Vietnam trip
Vietnam is unique because it works for every travel style.
Backpacker Vietnam trip
Backpackers using hostels, buses and street food can travel extremely cheaply.
Typical monthly backpacker budget:
€700–€900
Mid-range Vietnam trip
Travelers staying in boutique hotels and taking domestic flights can travel comfortably.
Typical monthly mid-range budget:
€1,400–€1,800
Luxury Vietnam trip
Luxury hotels, private tours and domestic flights increase costs significantly.
Typical monthly luxury budget:
€3,000+
Vietnam offers incredible value even for luxury travelers.
Sample 2-week backpacking itinerary budget
Here’s a more realistic example of what a 2-week backpacking trip in Vietnam can cost if you follow a classic route from north to south.
Example route:
Hanoi → Sapa → Ha Long Bay → Hue → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City
This itinerary gives you a good mix of big cities, mountain scenery, cultural stops, and coastal destinations. It also reflects the kind of route many first-time travelers choose when they want to see several highlights in one trip without spending too much.
Budget breakdown
| Expense | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Flights | €550 |
| Hostels | €140 |
| Food | €140 |
| Transport | €180 |
| Activities | €180 |
| Total | €1,190 per person |
What this budget includes
The €550 for flights covers a typical return flight from Europe booked at a reasonable time, not a last-minute fare.
The €140 for hostels is based on an average of around €10 per night in dorm-style accommodation. In many parts of Vietnam, especially outside the most touristy areas, it is still possible to find clean, well-rated hostels at this price.
The €140 for food assumes a daily budget of about €10, which is realistic if you mostly eat local food, street meals, bánh mì, pho, rice dishes, and the occasional coffee or beer.
The €180 for transport includes long-distance buses or trains, one or two domestic transfers, local taxis or Grab rides, and getting between destinations on this north-to-south route.
The €180 for activities covers a few paid experiences such as a Ha Long Bay trip, entry fees, local tours, or optional extras like museums, boat rides, or guided day trips.
For most backpackers, this kind of 2-week Vietnam trip offers very strong value and can still stay under €1,200 per person if flights are booked at a decent price and spending is kept under control.
Best time to visit Vietnam for cheap travel
The cheapest months to visit Vietnam are:
• March – May
• September – November
These shoulder seasons offer:
• Lower hotel prices
• Fewer crowds
• Cheaper flights
• Pleasant weather
Avoid Tet holiday when prices increase dramatically.
Expanded money-saving tips for Vietnam
• Travel overnight on sleeper buses
• Book domestic flights early
• Eat at local street stalls
• Avoid tourist restaurants near landmarks
• Use Grab for city transport
• Travel during shoulder seasons
• Stay in boutique hotels instead of resorts
Small choices make a big difference in Vietnam travel budgets.
If you’re still choosing where to go next in the region, explore our guide to the best places to visit in Southeast Asia.
When Vietnam becomes more expensive
Prices increase during:
• Lunar New Year (Tet holiday)
• Christmas & New Year
• Domestic summer holidays (June–August)
Traveling outside peak season saves money.
Vietnam travel cost decision table
| Travel question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Vietnam cheap? | Yes |
| Cheapest travel style | Backpacking |
| Good for mid-range travel? | Excellent value |
| Expensive season | Tet holiday |
| Cheapest season | Spring & autumn |
FAQ about Vietnam travel costs
Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand?
Yes. Vietnam is generally 10–20% cheaper overall.
How much money do I need per day in Vietnam?
Budget travelers can spend €30/day. Mid-range travelers average €55/day.
Is Vietnam good for budget travel?
Yes. It’s one of the best budget destinations in the world.
Is Vietnam worth visiting in 2026?
Absolutely. Vietnam offers incredible value, food and scenery at low prices.
Vietnam remains one of the best-value destinations in Asia and a perfect choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Is $50 a day enough in Vietnam?
Yes. $50 a day is enough for a comfortable Vietnam trip if you use local transport, eat a mix of street food and casual restaurants, and stay in budget or lower mid-range accommodation.
