How Much Money Do I Need In Vietnam?

How much money do you need to visit Vietnam? The answer ultimately depends on what kind of food you plan to eat, what standard of accommodation you plan to stay in, and how you plan to make your way around the country.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam © gudi3101

Vietnam is one of Asia’s fastest growing countries but it’s still possible to travel on a backpacker’s budget of $40 or less per day, or enjoy a more comfortable trip for $60 to $100 per day. Below, we’ve broken down the costs of travelling in Vietnam — from hotels to buses, flights and food — and covered everything from Vietnam’s currency to the availability of ATMs, credit card usage and the cost of visas.

How Much Will My Vietnam Trip Cost? How To Quickly Figure It Out

Daily Budget Tiers for Vietnam (2026)

The exchange rate in early 2026 sits at around 25,000–26,000 Vietnamese dong (VND) to $1 USD — a notable shift from the ~22,700 that was commonly quoted a few years ago. Factor that into your planning when reading older guides.

Note: These figures cover your in-country spending. International flights and your Vietnam visa fee are on top of this — see the sections below.

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Accommodation Costs in Vietnam

Vietnam has some of the best-value hotel rooms in Southeast Asia, particularly in the mid-range bracket where $40–60 a night buys you something genuinely nice. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City set the benchmark — most other destinations across the country are cheaper still.

Budget Hotels in Vietnam (under $20/night)

Hostel dorms start from around $5–10 per night. Private rooms with your own bathroom in a family-run guesthouse typically run $12–20 — this is the sweet spot for solo travellers who want their own space without paying hotel prices. Breakfast is often included even at this level.

Mid-Range Hotels in Vietnam ($35 – $70/night)

A well-rated 3-star boutique hotel with A/C, Wi-Fi and a good breakfast. This is the category that offers outstanding value — Vietnamese mid-range hotels frequently punch well above their price tag. In cities like Hoi An and Da Nang, you can find stylish riverside properties with pools for $40–60 a night.

Luxury Hotels in Vietnam ($100 – $300+/night)

Vietnam’s luxury hotel scene has come a long way. You’ll find international 5-star brands (Park Hyatt, Sofitel, InterContinental) in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, while beach destinations like Da Nang and Phu Quoc have some genuinely world-class resort properties. Budget at least $100–150 for a solid 5-star room; top-end resorts on the coast start from around $200.

Things To Do in Vietnam: Tours and Activities

Vietnam’s attraction costs are generally very reasonable — most temples, pagodas and museums charge $2–8 entry. It’s the multi-day tours and cruises where costs climb, but even these are excellent value compared to similar experiences elsewhere.

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City: The Cu Chi Tunnels are essential — a half-day tour costs around $20–35. The Mekong Delta makes a great full-day trip ($30–50). A street food or motorbike tour of the backstreets around District 1 is one of the best ways to get under the skin of the city ($30–45).

Things to do in Hanoi: An Old Quarter food tour covers all the classics — pho, bánh mì, bún cha, egg coffee — and makes a brilliant introduction to the city ($30–45). Ha Long Bay is the unmissable day trip from Hanoi — budget $60–100 for a good-quality day cruise or $150+ for an overnight.

Things to do in Hoi An: The Ancient Town itself is the main attraction — an evening strolling the lantern-lit streets costs nothing. Tailors, cooking classes and bicycle rides to the beach are what most visitors spend money on here.

Food and Drink in Vietnam

Bo Kho Banh Mi at Pahm Ngu Lao, Hanoi © jonolist

Vietnamese food is one of the great joys of travelling here — and one of the great budget savers. Street food is outstanding: fresh, flavourful and incredibly cheap when you eat where locals eat.

What things actually cost in 2026

Daily food budget guide

If you eat mostly street food: budget around $10–15 per day for three solid meals plus coffee and snacks. You’ll eat extremely well at this level.

If you prefer air-conditioned restaurants and Western-friendly cafes: budget $20–35 per day. Vietnam now has a thriving cafe and restaurant scene in all major cities.

If you enjoy fine dining and imported wine: it’s completely possible to spend $100–200+ on a meal for two in a quality restaurant in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Alcohol — particularly imported wine and spirits — is where costs mount up quickly.

Don’t miss: egg coffee

Vietnam’s signature drink — egg yolk whipped with condensed milk and poured over strong coffee — is something everyone should try. The best versions are in Hanoi, where it was invented, costing around 35,000–60,000 VND ($1.40–2.40). It sounds strange. It’s wonderful.

Alcohol and cigarettes

Viet Ha Beer at the Bia hoi, Tay Ho, Vietnam © dgmckelvey

Bia hơi — locally brewed draft beer served from pavement stalls — is genuinely some of the cheapest beer in the world at 15,000–25,000 VND a glass. Bottled local beers (Bia Hanoi, Tiger, 333) run 40,000–70,000 VND in bars. Imported craft beers and cocktails in upmarket venues can reach 150,000–250,000 VND. Cigarettes remain very cheap: local brands cost around 20,000–30,000 VND a pack, imported brands 35,000–50,000 VND.

Getting Around Vietnam

Vietnam, Hoi An © picktoframe

Vietnam is a long, narrow country — getting from top to bottom requires some planning. The smart move is to combine transport modes: fly on longer legs where time matters, take the train for scenic overnight journeys, and use buses for short hops.

✈️ Vietnam Domestic Flights

🚆 Vietnam Trains

The Reunification Express runs the full length of Vietnam between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with stops in Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. Slower than flying but far more comfortable than a bus — soft sleeper berths (4-bed cabins) make overnight legs genuinely pleasant.

🚌 Vietnam Buses

Open-tour buses connect all the major tourist destinations and are the cheapest way to travel. Quality varies — VIP sleeper buses with reclining seats or full-flat berths are worth the small premium over standard coaches.

🛵 Grab and Taxis

• Grab (Vietnam’s Uber equivalent) is the easiest way to get around within cities — the app shows the price upfront and is significantly cheaper than taxi companies
• A typical city ride costs 30,000–80,000 VND ($1.20–3.20)
• Always use Grab or a metered taxi — never accept a fixed-price offer from touts outside airports or tourist areas
• You’ll need a data connection to use Grab — see the SIM card section below

🏍️ Vietnam Motorbike Hire

• Popular for exploring rural areas, particularly around Ha Giang and Sapa in the north
• Typical cost: $5–15/day depending on the bike and location
• Only attempt this if you’re a confident rider — Vietnamese traffic is chaotic even by Asian standards
• Check your travel insurance covers motorbike riding before you go

Overall transport budget for a 2-week trip: allow $200–400 depending on how many domestic flights you take.

Visas and Entry Requirements (2026)

Vietnam’s visa situation has improved significantly in recent years. The e-visa system now covers all nationalities, allows stays of up to 90 days, and can be applied for entirely online.

Vietnam e-Visa (recommended for most visitors)

• Cost: $25 USD for single-entry / $50 USD for multiple-entry
• Validity: Up to 90 days
• Processing time: 3–7 business days
• Apply at: evisa.gov.vn (the official government site — use this directly)

Apply at least a week before your trip. The process is straightforward: upload your passport photo page and a headshot, fill in the form and pay online. You’ll receive your e-visa by email to print and show at the border.

Visa-free entry

Citizens of a growing list of countries can enter Vietnam without a visa. As of 2025–2026, this includes the UK (up to 45 days), most EU countries including Germany, France, Italy and Spain (up to 45 days), as well as South Korea, Japan and others. Check the current exemption list before you travel, as the policy is updated regularly.

SIM Cards and Mobile Data

Getting a SIM card or eSIM is one of the most practically important things you can do before or on arrival in Vietnam — not just for staying in touch, but for using Grab (essential for avoiding airport taxi scams), navigating on Google Maps, booking accommodation and translating menus.

Option 1: Buy a local SIM on arrival (around $8–12)

The best local networks are Viettel (widest coverage, including rural areas), Vinaphone and Mobifone. Airport SIM counters charge $10–12 for unlimited-data tourist packages; you can find slightly cheaper deals at city phone shops. You’ll need your passport to register. The downside: you won’t be connected until after you’ve cleared arrivals — exactly when you need Grab to avoid the taxi queue.

Option 2: Buy an eSIM before you fly (around $10–25)

If your phone supports eSIM (most phones from 2020 onwards), this is the smarter option. Set it up at home, activate it when you land, and you’re online before you’ve picked up your bags. Popular providers include Airalo (10GB for around $20) and Saily (10GB/30 days for around $20). For a two-week trip, 10GB is plenty for most travellers.

Cash, ATMs and Credit Cards

Money © zongo

Cash is still king in Vietnam for most day-to-day purchases — street food stalls, local markets, smaller restaurants, buses and motorbike taxis all operate cash-only. Credit and debit cards are accepted at mid-range and upmarket hotels, restaurants and shops in major cities, but don’t rely on them for everything.

ATMs

ATMs are everywhere in cities and tourist areas. Most accept Visa, Mastercard and Cirrus cards. The standard withdrawal fee is 50,000–70,000 VND ($2–2.80) per transaction — withdraw larger amounts less frequently to keep fees down. Some Vietnamese bank ATMs cap withdrawals at 2–3 million VND ($80–120) per transaction; Citibank and HSBC machines typically allow larger withdrawals.

The dong denomination trap

The 20,000 VND note and the 500,000 VND note are almost identical in colour — one is worth less than a dollar, the other more than $20. The same confusion applies to the 50,000 and 200,000 notes, both printed on similar red polymer. Count your change carefully after every transaction, and check what you’re handing over before you pay — especially at busy market stalls.

Should you bring US dollars?

Vietnam moved away from the informal dual-currency system years ago — you’ll pay for almost everything in dong. It’s worth carrying $50–100 in USD as a backup, but you won’t use it for daily spending. Convert leftover dong before you leave the country, as it’s difficult to exchange outside Vietnam.

Sample Total Trip Budgets

Here’s what a complete 2-week Vietnam trip actually costs in 2026, including international flights from Europe or the US:

Figures above don’t include your Vietnam e-visa ($25 single entry), travel insurance, or pre-departure costs.

When You Go To Vietnam Matters Too

Peak season (December–February): The most popular time to visit, especially around Tet (Vietnamese New Year, usually late January or February). Hotels in tourist areas can sell out entirely around Tet and prices jump significantly — book accommodation well in advance if you’re travelling during this window.

Shoulder seasons (March–May and September–November): The best time for value — reasonable weather in most regions, fewer crowds and better hotel availability. Some of the best deals appear in these windows.

Wet season (May–November in the south, October–December in the north): Rain doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go — showers are often brief and afternoons can still be sunny. Prices are lower and you’ll have popular spots more to yourself.

Travel Insurance for Vietnam

Medical care in Vietnam varies hugely — good hospitals exist in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but outside the major cities you’ll be relying on local clinics. The bigger risk is medical evacuation: if you need to be flown home, costs can run to $50,000–100,000+ without insurance. A solid policy covering medical, evacuation, cancellation and lost baggage typically costs $50–150 for a two-week trip — a fraction of what a single emergency could cost without it. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.