Vietnam is Genuinely Cheap
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s best value destinations. An experienced budget traveler can manage $15–20/day. Most visitors spend $25–40/day comfortably.
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Daily Budget
| Level | Per Day | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | $12–20 | Hostel dorm, street food only |
| Budget | $25–40 | Budget guesthouse, mix of food |
| Mid-range | $50–80 | Comfortable hotel, restaurants |
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Budget Food
Pho bo: 40,000–80,000 VND ($1.60–3.20)
Banh mi: 20,000–40,000 VND ($0.80–1.60)
Com binh dan (workers rice): 30,000–60,000 VND — full plate with multiple dishes
Tip: Follow locals to places without English menus. Point at what others are eating.
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Budget Transport
Open Tour Bus (Sinh Tourist): Budget tourist buses north to south. Hanoi–Hoi An from $18.
Sleeper trains: Comfortable overnight. Hanoi–HCMC from $30 for 6-berth sleeper.
Grab app: Works in cities. Short trips 30,000–60,000 VND.
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Ha Long Bay and Sapa trekking tours are the two biggest Vietnam splurges — Klook often has competitive prices compared to hotel booking desks.
Book Vietnam budget tours on Klook →
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