Vietnam Trip Cost in 2026: How Much You Really Need Per Day

Vietnam is commonly referred to as a cheap tourist destination, and it is also true that the cost of visiting Vietnam would depend on the travel style, the season, and the itinerary. Regardless of whether you are planning a low-end budget backpacking vacation or a more luxurious holiday, it pays to know what to expect in terms of costs in order to plan with realism.

This guide breaks down the average travel costs in Vietnam, covering flights, accommodation, food, transport, and daily expenses.

Tourists enjoying a fun bamboo basket boat ride through coconut palm waterways near Hoi An – this iconic activity typically costs just $5–10 USD per person

Vietnam: Averages of the Daily Budgets.

The way you travel is largely dependent on your spending. Here’s a realistic daily budget estimate for 2026:

Budget / Backpacker: $20–$40 per day
Best when accommodations are required in hostels, street food, buses, and free or cheap attractions.
Many manage $25–$35 comfortably.

Mid-Range / Comfortable: $50 to 90 a day.
There are private rooms, a combination of local restaurants and cafes, Grab Rides, and some guided tours or domestic flights.

Luxury / High-End: $150–$300+ per day
Boutique hotels or resorts, restaurants, private transfers, and luxury services, such as an overnight cruise in Halong Bay.
These figures do not take into account international flights, but most of the on-ground costs. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are rather upscale cities, whereas more relaxed places such as Hoi An or Ninh Binh may be lower.

Breakdown of Cost by category.

Accommodation
Budget: Hostel rooms or simple guesthouses → $5–$15/night.
Mid-range: 3-star Hotel or homestay, private room, $25 to $60/night.
Luxury: 4-5 star hotels, resorts, or villas, and so on → $100-300 or more/night.
Products are sold at a high prices increase significantly during Tet (Lunar New Year) and peak travel season (December to April)

Ha Long Bay cruise is one of the most popular (and surprisingly affordable) Vietnam travel experiences

Food & Drinks
Vietnamese food is notoriously low-priced and good.
Street food / local restaurants: 1-5 dollars per meal (pho, banh mi, bun cha)
Cafes or sit-down restaurants: $515 per meal.
Beers or iced coffee: $1–$3
Food amount per day: Budget to spend: 10-20 dollars, Mid-range: 20-40 dollars, Luxury: 50 and above.
Local food keeps the expenses low- tourist attraction spots are avoided to get the best deals.

Transportation
Transport costs are cheap.
Local: Grab a ride or motorbike taxi/ $1-5/ride.
City scooter rental: $5–$10/day
Inter-city: Sleeper buses/trains, long-distance (Hanoi to Hue) cost $10–$30.
Domestic flights (Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Bamboo): 30-100 one-way.
Estimated daily transport costs: Budget: $5–$10; Mid-range: $10–$30 (including occasional domestic flights).

Activities & Entrance Fees
There are numerous attractions at no cost or for a low price.
Temples, markets, walking tours: Free -$5.
Halong Bay day trip: $30–$60; Overnight cruise: $150–$400+
Cu Chi Tunnels, My Son Sanctuary: $5 -10.
Mekong Delta boat tour: $15–$40
Daily spending: Budget $5-20, $20-60 Mid-range.

Other Essentials
Vietnam e-visa (the majority of nationalities): Single entry: $25; Multiple entry: $50 (maximum 90 days)
Local SIM or eSIM: $5–$15 for 2–4 weeks
Travel insurance (recommended): 2 weeks, between $30 and 80.
Other (souvenirs, tips, laundry): 5-15/day.

Iconic Hanoi Train Street moment: train squeezing through narrow cafe-lined alley in the Old Quarter – free to watch, coffee costs only $1–2 while you wait for the passing train

Sample Trip Costs of Common Periods (Per Person, International Flights Not Included)

1-Week Trip (7 Days)
Budget: $200–$350 total ($30–$50/day)
Mid-range: $500–$800 total ($70–$115/day)
Luxury: $1,200+ total

North to South 2-Week Classic Trip.
Budget: $400–$700 total ($30–$50/day)
Mid-range: $800–$1,500 total ($60–$110/day)
Luxury: $2,500–$5,000+ total

3-4 Week In-Depth Exploration
At mid-range, that is, domestic flights and a combination of beaches, cities, and countryside, many travelers will spend $1,000 -$2,000 on a month-long trip.
Such estimates represent one person traveling on his own; couples and groups usually save on a room and travel.

Daily Budget Examples

7-Day Budget Trip
Accommodation: USD 120
Food: USD 70
Transport & activities: USD 80
Total (excluding flights): ~USD 270

10-Day Mid-Range Trip
Accommodation: USD 600
Food: USD 250
Transport & tours: USD 300
Total (excluding flights): ~USD 1,150

Colorful street food stall in Bui Vien walking street serving meals that average costs just $1.50–4 USD

Issues That Impact Your Travel Budget to Vietnam

Season Dry season (Dec–Apr) Hotel prices are higher; rainy season is cheaper but may be interrupted.
Itinerary: More domestic flights or high-end tours (Halong overnight, Sapa treks) increase the costs.
Location: Hanoi/HCMC is more expensive than Hue, Da Nang, or country.
Group Size: The expense of sharing rooms and taxis reduces the cost per person.
Unexpected extras: Airport transfers, tips, SIM cards, or unexpected Grab surges will all add up - budget 10-15% buffer.

The Top 10 Things to Do in Vietnam on a Budget.

Food stands and local places to eat – it is fresher and less expensive.
Take sleeper buses or trains to save one night's hotel accommodation.
Early bookings with Vietjet or Bamboo for domestic flights.
Take a walk or hire scooters in cities rather than regular rides.
Select free activities: markets, temples, beaches, and street life.
Take VND out of the  ATM (Vietcombank, BIDV usually have the best rates) and pay with cash with small vendors.
Obtaining a local SIM or eSIM at the airport is cheap.
Mid-week or shoulder season travel costs less.
Travel during shoulder season.

Hidden Costs to Consider

Scams and overbooking: Set aside an extra 5–10% buffer in case of unexpected charges or tourist pricing. Tourists pay more sometimes, although not all people are dishonest.
Broken motorbike charges: When hiring motorbikes, the stores would usually assure you that the motorbike already has some damage and that it is your fault. Take photos before riding.
Taxi fraud: Sometimes taxi drivers have fixed meters. Trust to Grab or reputed companies.
Miscalculations in the restaurant: Check bills - an error that is in the restaurant's favor is a routine occurrence.
Beach fees: There are beaches where the entry fee is 10,000-30,000 VND, despite the fact that it is technically a public beach.

Is Vietnam a Costly Tourist Destination?

No. Vietnam is rated to be one of the best value travel destinations in Asia. Travelers can enjoy high-quality food, comfortable accommodation, and unique experiences at a fraction of the cost compared to many other countries.

Final Thoughts

A visit to Vietnam is relatively expensive depending on the type of travel; however, it is more than affordable for all budgets. Vietnam boasts of cheap accommodation, cheap food, and cheap transportation to both backpackers and luxury travelers.
Vietnam is easily a destination to visit both on short and long vacations, with appropriate planning, which makes the country comfortable to explore with budget restrictions.