Is Vietnam expensive to visit?
Vietnam is known as both a well-liked and budget-friendly destination. When compared to the rest of Asia, it is a moderately priced country. It places in the top 50% of countries in Asia for its travel costs. This puts it on par with destinations such as Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
As this is a fairly popular country to visit, you'll find a number of great places in Vietnam at a variety of price ranges. The most expensive destinations are Can Tho, Halong Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City. If you're looking for lower cost destinations, you can visit Dalat, Cat Ba, and Sapa.
Average daily price of selected cities in Vietnam, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City | $89 |
| Halong Bay | $68 |
| Can Tho | $67 |
| Hue | $58 |
| Hanoi | $57 |
| Da Nang | $57 |
| Phu Quoc | $56 |
| Hoi An | $52 |
| Nha Trang | $49 |
| Ninh Binh | $48 |
| Sapa | $47 |
| Cat Ba | $46 |
| Dalat | $38 |
Halong Bay, Vietnam
How expensive is Vietnam?
Travelers spend an average of $67 per day when visiting Vietnam (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. However, you can keep close to this average, or even travel cheaper if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Vietnam here.
How expensive is a one week trip to Vietnam?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Vietnam will cost around $466 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $932.
How expensive is a two week trip to Vietnam?
On average, a two week trip to Vietnam costs about $932 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a two week trip costs $1,864.
How expensive is a month long trip to Vietnam?
A one month trip to Vietnam costs about $1,997 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $3,995.
Rice Terraces near Sapa, Vietnam
Is it expensive to backpack in Vietnam?
With more than 300 hostels around the country, Vietnam is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Hostels here cost an average of $7 per night for a bed in a hostel dorm. (See hostel prices in Vietnam here.) Many backpackers head to Hanoi, Ha Giang, and Hoi An. Typically, the most expensive hostels are in Hoi An, Hanoi, and Da Nang, which average $9, $8, and $8 a night. On the other hand, the cheapest hostels are in Nha Trang, Phong Nha, and Dalat which average $6, $6, and $4 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Vietnam.
- $7 for a dorm bed at Nexy Hostel in Hanoi
- $4 for a dorm bed at Bong Backpackers & Bikes in Ha Giang
- $9 for a dorm bed at Mad Monkey Hoi An in Hoi An
Where to find affordable hostels in Vietnam
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | 45 | $8 |
| Ha Giang | 42 | $6 |
| Hoi An | 40 | $9 |
| Ninh Binh | 36 | $6 |
| Sapa | 30 | $6 |
| Dalat | 24 | $4 |
| Da Nang | 21 | $8 |
| Phong Nha | 21 | $6 |
| Hue | 17 | $7 |
| Can Tho | 5 | $6 |
| Nha Trang | 5 | $6 |
Are hotels expensive in Vietnam?
When it comes to hotel prices in Vietnam, they stand out for being notably more affordable compared to other countries. On average, you can expect to spend about $29 per night for a comfortable room. It's essential to note that within Vietnam, certain cities such as Phu Quoc command a higher average price, reaching $39 per night. On the flip side, there are also more budget-friendly alternatives like Hue, where hotel prices average $21 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in Vietnam
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Phu Quoc | $39 |
| Ho Chi Minh City | $31 |
| Ninh Binh | $31 |
| Hanoi | $28 |
| Can Tho | $26 |
| Nha Trang | $25 |
| Hoi An | $25 |
| Da Nang | $25 |
| Dalat | $23 |
| Hue | $21 |
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $13 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.
- Hanoi Motorbike Tour: Hanoi HIGHTLIGHTS & HIDDEN GEMS : $57
- Luxury Full Day Ninh Binh Tour From Hanoi: $85
- Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van pass, Da Nang, My Son sightseeing stops: $56
- Hue City Private Tour With A Knowledgeable Tour Guide: $95
- Luxury Ninh Binh Full Day Tour From Hanoi (Trang An - Hoa Lu): $80
- 3 Hours Hoi An Countryside Motorbike Tour: $39
- Ninh Binh Luxury Day Tour by Limousine- Small Group- All included: $89
- Day Trip Motorbike Tour in Hai Van Pass.: $79
Is food expensive in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $22 per day on food, per person.
- Jolie Da nang cooking class only (JDN3): $28
- Ho Chi Minh/Saigon Zero Tourist Food Tour : $55
- [Hi-end] Private Hanoi Street Food Tour With Real Foodie: $52
- Hoi An Eco Cooking Class With Kien Nguyen Cooking: $36
- 6-Hour Cooking Class in Danang (JDN1): $41
- Hoi An Cooking Class With Market Tour and Bamboo Basket Boat Ride: $26
Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Is transportation expensive in Vietnam?
Local transportation in Vietnam can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $11 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Expenses for intercity transportation within Vietnam can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $60 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.
More for Vietnam
If you're planning a trip to Vietnam, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.