Vietnam Budget Travel Guide 2025: From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam offers incredible value for budget travelers - delicious street food for under ₫30,000, motorbike adventures, and rich culture. Here's your complete cost breakdown for traveling Vietnam affordably.

Daily Budget Breakdown by Travel Style

Ultra Budget Backpacker (₫100,000-150,000/day ~ $4-6)

• Accommodation: Dormitory hostels (₫50,000-80,000)

• Food: Street food exclusively (₫30,000-50,000)

• Transport: Local buses, walking (₫10,000-15,000)

• Activities: Free walking tours, temples (₫10,000-15,000)

Budget Traveler (₫200,000-300,000/day ~ $8-12)

• Accommodation: Budget hotels/private hostel rooms (₫120,000-180,000)

• Food: Mix of street food and local restaurants (₫60,000-90,000)

• Transport: Motorbike rental, occasional taxi (₫30,000-50,000)

• Activities: Paid tours, entrance fees (₫20,000-40,000)

Mid-Range Comfort (₫500,000-800,000/day ~ $20-32)

• Accommodation: 3-star hotels, boutique properties (₫300,000-450,000)

• Food: Restaurant meals, some fine dining (₫120,000-200,000)

• Transport: Private car, frequent taxis (₫80,000-120,000)

• Activities: Private tours, multiple attractions (₫50,000-100,000)

City-by-City Budget Breakdown

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - The Economic Hub

Daily Costs:

• Budget accommodation: ₫60,000-120,000/night

• Mid-range hotels: ₫200,000-400,000/night

• Street food meal: ₫15,000-40,000

• Restaurant meal: ₫80,000-150,000

• Motorbike rental: ₫100,000-150,000/day

• Local bus: ₫7,000 per ride

• Grab motorbike: ₫15,000-50,000 per trip

Top Budget Activities:

• War Remnants Museum: ₫40,000 entry

• Ben Thanh Market: Free browsing, great food court

• Saigon Central Post Office: Free visit, French architecture

• Reunification Palace: ₫40,000 entry

Hanoi - The Cultural Capital

Daily Costs:

• Budget accommodation: ₫50,000-100,000/night

• Mid-range hotels: ₫180,000-350,000/night

• Street food meal: ₫12,000-35,000

• Restaurant meal: ₫70,000-130,000

• Motorbike rental: ₫80,000-120,000/day

• Public bus: ₫7,000 per ride

Top Budget Activities:

• Hoan Kiem Lake: Free walking and people-watching

• Temple of Literature: ₫30,000 entry

• Old Quarter walking tour: Free self-guided

• Night market: Free browsing, cheap eats

Da Nang & Hoi An - Beach Paradise

Daily Costs:

• Budget accommodation: ₫70,000-140,000/night

• Beach resorts: ₫250,000-500,000/night

• Street food meal: ₫20,000-45,000

• Beachside restaurant: ₫100,000-200,000

• Motorbike rental: ₫90,000-130,000/day

• Beach access: Free at most beaches

Top Budget Activities:

• My Khe Beach: Free beautiful beach time

• Hoi An Ancient Town: ₫120,000 for multiple sites

• Japanese Covered Bridge: Included in town ticket

• Dragon Bridge: Free fire-breathing show weekends

Sapa - Mountain Adventures

Daily Costs:

• Budget homestay: ₫100,000-200,000/night

• Mid-range hotels: ₫250,000-400,000/night

• Local food: ₫30,000-60,000/meal

• Trekking guide: ₫300,000-500,000/day

• Motorbike rental: ₫120,000-180,000/day

Top Budget Activities:

• Rice terraces viewing: Free stunning scenery

• Village trekking: ₫200,000-300,000 with guide

• Market visits: Free cultural experience

• Waterfall hikes: Free natural attractions

Vietnamese Street Food Budget Guide

Must-Try Dishes Under ₫30,000:

• Pho Bo/Ga: ₫15,000-25,000 (iconic noodle soup)

• Banh Mi: ₫8,000-20,000 (Vietnamese sandwich)

• Bun Cha: ₫20,000-35,000 (grilled pork with noodles)

• Com Tam: ₫15,000-30,000 (broken rice dishes)

• Che: ₫5,000-15,000 (sweet dessert soup)

Street Food Safety Tips:

• High turnover stalls: Fresh food, quick cooking

• Local crowded places: Vietnamese locals know best spots

• Hot and fresh: Avoid food sitting under heat lamps

• Bottled water: ₫5,000-10,000, always safe choice

Transportation Budget Breakdown

Getting Around Cities:

• Walking: Free and great for exploring

• Motorbike taxi (xe om): ₫10,000-30,000 short distances

• Grab motorbike: ₫15,000-50,000 with app convenience

• Local bus: ₫7,000-10,000 per ride

• Taxi: ₫50,000-150,000 depending on distance

Between Cities:

• Local buses: ₫50,000-150,000 for 3-6 hour journeys

• Sleeper buses: ₫200,000-400,000 for overnight trips

• Trains: ₫100,000-300,000 for scenic routes

• Domestic flights: ₫800,000-2,000,000 for time-saving

Motorbike Rental Adventure:

• Daily rental: ₫80,000-150,000/day

• Weekly rental: ₫500,000-900,000 total

• Fuel costs: ₫20,000-30,000/day depending on distance

• Parking: ₫2,000-5,000 per stop

Money-Saving Strategies

Accommodation Hacks:

1. Book directly with hostels - Often cheaper than booking sites 2. Stay slightly outside city centers - 30-50% savings 3. Negotiate longer stays - Weekly/monthly discounts 4. Travel during shoulder season - Avoid peak pricing

Food Budget Optimization:

1. Eat where locals eat - Authentic and affordable 2. Morning food tours - Best prices and freshest food 3. Avoid tourist areas - Same food, double the price 4. Learn basic Vietnamese food words - Better service and prices

Transportation Savings:

1. Master local buses - Fraction of taxi costs 2. Walk whenever possible - Exercise and sightseeing combined 3. Group motorbike rentals - Share costs with travel buddies 4. Book trains in advance - Better prices and seat selection

Activity Budget Tips:

1. Free walking tours - Available in major cities 2. Temple visits - Usually free or very cheap entry 3. Nature activities - Beaches, hiking, waterfalls often free 4. Local festivals - Free cultural experiences

Budget Planning by Trip Length

1 Week Vietnam (₫2,800,000-7,000,000 total):

• Ultra budget: ₫2,800,000 ($112-140)

• Budget travel: ₫4,200,000 ($168-210)

• Mid-range: ₫7,000,000 ($280-350)

2 Weeks Vietnam (₫5,600,000-14,000,000 total):

• Ultra budget: ₫5,600,000 ($224-280)

• Budget travel: ₫8,400,000 ($336-420)

• Mid-range: ₫14,000,000 ($560-700)

1 Month Vietnam (₫12,000,000-30,000,000 total):

• Ultra budget: ₫12,000,000 ($480-600)

• Budget travel: ₫18,000,000 ($720-900)

• Mid-range: ₫30,000,000 ($1,200-1,500)

Cultural Experiences on a Budget

Free Cultural Activities:

• Temple visits: Experience Vietnamese spirituality

• Local market wandering: Absorb daily Vietnamese life

• Public parks: People-watching and relaxation

• Beach time: Enjoy Vietnam's beautiful coastline

Affordable Cultural Experiences:

• Cooking classes: ₫300,000-600,000 for full day

• Water puppet shows: ₫100,000-200,000 in Hanoi

• Museum visits: ₫30,000-60,000 entry fees

• Traditional craft workshops: ₫200,000-400,000

Language Learning Budget:

• Basic Vietnamese phrases: Learn for free online

• Translation apps: Download before arriving

• Language exchange: Free practice with locals

• Basic phrase book: ₫50,000-100,000 investment

Seasonal Budget Considerations

High Season (November-March):

• Accommodation: 30-50% higher prices

• Tours: Premium pricing, advance booking required

• Weather: Perfect but crowded

• Budget tip: Book accommodations well in advance

Shoulder Season (April-May, September-October):

• Accommodation: Normal pricing with occasional deals

• Weather: Good with some rain possible

• Crowds: Moderate levels

• Budget tip: Best balance of price and experience

Low Season (June-August):

• Accommodation: 20-40% discounts available

• Weather: Hot and humid with rain

• Crowds: Fewer tourists, more authentic experience

• Budget tip: Perfect for ultra-budget travelers

Ready to explore Vietnam on a budget? Use our Global Budget Calculator to plan your exact trip costs based on your travel style and duration!