Is traveling in Vietnam expensive? This is a common question for those visiting this country for the first time. Although Vietnam is not famous for luxury tourism like Dubai, Paris, or Monaco, it still offers many upscale services at reasonable prices. As a developing country, the cost of living in Vietnam is quite low compared to developed countries. By purchasing power parity, one US dollar here can have three times the value compared to the US, Australia, or Europe. Therefore, Vietnam is a budget-friendly and worthwhile destination.

This article is not aimed at helping you find the cheapest prices but to help you calculate costs and plan a suitable budget, especially useful for those seeking private tourism services ranging from mid-range to high - end with the best quality and value.

Is everything expensive in Vietnam?

The short answer: No.

In most cases, costs in Vietnam are quite cheap. As a manufacturing country with abundant raw materials and low labor costs, Vietnam offers affordable prices for almost everything: from food, drinks, clothing, footwear, souvenirs, electronics, medicine, healthcare services to tours.

So how cheap are the prices in Vietnam? Are they “as cheap as free”? Not exactly. By purchasing power parity, one US dollar in Vietnam can be worth three times more than in the US or Europe. In other words, prices here are often two to three times cheaper, sometimes even more depending on factors such as import rates, scarcity, or technology incorporated in the products. However, note that you get what you pay for - things that are too cheap usually come with corresponding quality.

Although Vietnam is very suitable for budget travel, it is not an ideal place to shop for luxury or branded goods. Due to high import taxes, products like foreign liquor, high-end fashion, and branded accessories often cost more than in their country of origin.

In summary, if you are looking for a cheap destination with basic services and authentic local experiences, Vietnam is an excellent choice. You can find almost everything here - the important thing is how much you want to spend and what you want to spend on.

How much does an average meal cost in Vietnam?

Food and dining are an essential part of the travel experience here. Thanks to favorable natural conditions and abundant agriculture, Vietnam has fresh, diverse, and affordable food. Vietnamese cuisine is often rated as fresh, healthy, low in fat, and easy to enjoy for most people.

The cost of a meal depends on the type of service and dishes you choose. Vietnamese street food is very popular, tasty, and cheap. For example, a Banh Mi sandwich costs about 2 USD, while a bowl of Pho - the most famous dish - is around 2 to 4 USD. You can also try other specialties such as Bun Cha, Bun Ngan, Hu Tieu… at similar prices.

At mid-range restaurants, a main meal ranges from 6 to 10 USD. Drinks are charged separately, with soft drinks about 0.5 USD and beer around 1 USD. In tours, each meal can add 15 - 20 USD to the price, usually including several courses: appetizer, main course (meat, seafood, vegetables), rice, and seasonal fruit or dessert.

At high - end restaurants, meal costs can range from 30 to 100 USD depending on the dish, location, and accompanying services such as imported ingredients, live music, service style, or restaurant brand.

In major tourist spots, you can also enjoy international cuisines with many options like Thai, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian, Indian, Mexican,… .

Overall, with a budget of about 6 - 10 USD, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal in Vietnam. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can spend more flexibly. Some meals included in tours are also a great way to conveniently explore local cuisine. Consult travel experts for restaurant recommendations that meet hygiene standards, quality, and local flavor at each destination.

Transportation costs to and within Vietnam

How much does it cost to fly to Vietnam?

Flight costs to Vietnam depend on distance, airline, and service class. Round-trip tickets from the US usually range from 1,300 - 1,600 USD, from Europe about 1,100 - 1,400 USD, from Israel and Middle Eastern countries about 700 - 1,100 USD, while from Asian countries usually only 400 - 700 USD.

To optimize your budget, book tickets one to several months in advance. This helps you find convenient routes, good prices, and enough time to prepare detailed plans. Also, don’t forget to check the airline’s cancellation/change policy and consider buying insurance for unexpected cases.

How much money should you bring?

Besides prepaid tour costs, you will need extra money for personal expenses like self-arranged meals, drinks, laundry, etc. About 20 - 25 USD per day is reasonable, so prepare around 250 to 500 USD for the entire trip.

Cash is still the most convenient payment method, but credit cards are widely accepted in Vietnam (except some remote areas). For safety and flexibility, bring at least two credit cards and avoid carrying too much cash while traveling.

Read more about Money matters in Vietnam.

Cost of a trip to Vietnam

There is no fixed figure for travel expenses in Vietnam as it depends on budget, duration, type of service, and experiences you want. If you like luxury, you can choose high-end hotels or resorts costing several hundred to thousands of USD per night, private cruises in Ha Long Bay or Saigon River around 5,000 USD, or private limousines that can cost over 1,000 USD per day.

In the high - end segment, 5 - star hotels usually cost from 100 - 450 USD per night, while 3 - 4 star hotels start from 50 - 120 USD. With a budget mindset, you can spend under 25 USD per day using dorm rooms, eating simple food, and using public transport.

Tour costs vary greatly, mainly based on hotel choices. For example, a private tour using modern 3-star hotels might be around 120 USD/day (40 USD for accommodation and 80 USD for other services). Upgrading to 5 - star hotels could increase costs to 180 USD/day. The number of participants also affects price - more people lower the average cost per person by sharing fixed costs such as transportation and guides.

So, how much does a Vietnam trip cost?

Accommodation costs

Depends on nights stayed and room rates, then divided by the number of people sharing. For example, a 10 - day tour with 9 nights in a 3 - star hotel costing 50 USD/night totals 450 USD. For a private tour for 2, each pays about 225 USD for accommodation. In triple rooms, the third guest usually pays about 30% extra; if staying alone, you pay about 90% of the standard room rate.

 Transportation costs

A private car costs about 80 USD/day on average, split among users. Airport transfers cost about 30 - 35 USD per trip. Half-day tours typically cost about 70% of a full - day tour. Larger vehicles cost more - each vehicle size upgrade (4, 7 seats to 16, 24, 35, 45 seats) increases price by about 30% compared to the previous level. However, bigger vehicles carry more people, reducing per-person costs.

Sightseeing and activity costs

Activities included in tours significantly affect cost. More activities increase tour prices. Costs depend on length (half-day or full-day) and type of activity. On average, a full - day activity costs 60 to 100 USD/person, including entrance fees and guides.

Meal costs

The number of meals included in tours also affects total cost. More meals equal higher prices.

Domestic train and flight tickets

For long trips between destinations, tours may include overnight trains or domestic flights. Train tickets average 50 - 60 USD, domestic flights range 90 - 150 USD depending on airline and class.

Additional costs

Besides major expenses, consider health and travel insurance costs. Fees depend on coverage, with popular providers like World Nomads or Cover More. Also include small fees such as visa and entry stamps. For Travel Authentic Asia clients, visa application service is free when arriving in Vietnam - you only pay the airport stamping fee.

Estimated costs for a 2-week or 1-month Vietnam trip

To estimate relative costs, identify key factors: number of travelers, type of accommodation, and activity intensity.

Example: Planning a 15 - day private tour for 2 people, staying in a good 3 - star hotel, with about 10 days of full itinerary (private car, guide, and tickets included), and 5 days free for self-exploration.

Estimated costs (in USD per person):

• Hotel (14 nights at 60 USD/night, split 2 ways): 60 x 14 / 2 = 420 USD
• Private car (10 days at 75 USD/day, split 2 ways): 75 x 10 / 2 = 375 USD
• Activities and entrance fees (estimated 50 USD/day): 50 x 10 = 500 USD
• Meals included on tour days (estimated 15 USD/day): 15 x 10 = 150 USD

Total estimated cost per person:

420 + 375 + 500 + 150 = 1,445 USD

Note: This is a cost for a standard, private, and comfortable trip.

A few notes:

• Larger groups reduce per-person costs by sharing fixed expenses like transportation and guides.
• Domestic or international flight costs are not included since you can choose transport modes for long legs (domestic flights, overnight trains, or private cars).
• For a 1-month trip, multiply the 15-day cost by two, but if the itinerary is more flexible (more rest days, fewer activities), total costs may not double.

Related tours for you:

• Spectacular Vietnam - 2 Weeks
• Vietnam Family Tours Of Real-life Experiences
• 9 days South Vietnam tour: Delta, Mountains & Beach

Money-saving tips when traveling in Vietnam

• Book flights early: International and domestic flights are usually cheaper if booked 1 - 3 months in advance. Seasonal promotions also help save significantly.
• Travel in low season: May–September is low season for international tourists, allowing cheaper service prices and less crowded spaces.
• Choose flexible private tours: For groups of 3 or more, private tours help split costs of transport, guides, and other services while ensuring personalization.
• Eat like locals: Street food or local eateries offer savings and more authentic experiences than tourist restaurants..
• Use public transport or ride-hailing apps: In big cities, buses, metros, and apps like Grab are cheap and convenient..
• Buy a local 4G SIM instead of roaming: Travel SIMs cost only 5 - 10 USD and provide high-speed internet throughout the trip.
• Bring a personal water bottle: Cuts costs and single-use plastic, especially in hot summers.
• Exchange money in Vietnam: Rates at banks or local gold shops are usually better than international airports.
• Prioritize less-known destinations: Beyond Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, explore places like Ha Giang, Bao Loc, Binh Lieu, or Ly Son island - beautiful, unique, and affordable.

Whether you travel on a budget or seek luxury experiences, Vietnam has options for every budget. From meals costing a few dollars to luxurious resorts, you can easily customize your itinerary according to your needs and spending ability.

This article aims to help you clearly visualize real costs and plan effectively. So, is traveling in Vietnam expensive? Not really - but definitely worth it.

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Travel Authentic Asia Company is your best choice for discovering the beauty of Southeast Asia. Our experienced and knowledgeable travel advisors are committed to helping you create a tailor-made tour and extraordinary experiences in this majestic region.

If you're looking for an authentic cultural experience, do not hesitate to contact Travel Authentic Asia to choose a Vietnam tour, Southeast Asia tour package or to customize your own style tour to South East Asia.