Vietnam is one of the cheaper countries in Asia to travel, and cheap here doesn’t have to mean compromising. Street food is a highlight, long-distance transport is plentiful, and a backpacker budget stretches a long way. Here’s how to approach it. All prices in this guide are rough estimates that change with the season, the city and the exchange rate, so treat them as a starting point and check current prices.
The Daily Budget
Some 2026 budget guides put a backpacker budget in the range of about $25-40 per day for a dorm bed, street food and some overnight buses, and a lot depends on which city you are in. Big cities and tourist hubs such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An tend to cost more than smaller towns. Hostel dorm beds are commonly listed at around $5-10 a night, and a basic private room for two at roughly $10-20.
Mid-range and comfort travel (private rooms in boutique hotels, private tours, fine dining, domestic flights) cost considerably more and vary widely, so price those parts of your trip individually.
Accommodation
Hostels
Vietnam’s hostel scene is solid, especially in Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, and Hoi An. Many hostels include breakfast, social events, and tour bookings.
Guesthouses & Hotels
Private rooms in family-run guesthouses are a sweet spot for many travelers. Clean, air-conditioned rooms with wifi are common, and smaller towns can offer better value.
Homestays
In Sa Pa, Ninh Binh, and the Mekong Delta, homestays let you stay with local families, eat home-cooked meals, and experience rural Vietnam.
Getting Around
Sleeper Buses
Vietnam’s sleeper buses are popular with budget travelers. They have reclining beds rather than seats and overnight routes that can save you a night’s accommodation. Check current routes, fares and operator reviews before booking, and book through the operator or a reputable agent. The UK government notes that bus and coach crashes are more likely at night and that theft happens on buses and trains, so keep valuables with you.
Reunification Express Train
The Reunification Express (the north-south railway) runs the roughly 1,726 km between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with stops that include Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. The fastest Hanoi-Saigon services take around 30 to 35 hours, so most travelers do segments. The stretch over the Hai Van Pass between Hue and Da Nang is known for its views. Fares vary a lot by route, train and berth class, so check the current fare and timetable when you book.
Domestic Flights
Low-cost airlines such as VietJet Air fly many domestic routes, and booking in advance generally gets better fares. Fares vary by route and date, so compare current prices.
Grab (Vietnam’s Uber)
Grab works in many major cities for rides and food delivery. The UK government advises using Grab or XanhSM rather than hailing unlicensed cabs, booking the full journey in the app, and being wary of scammers who claim to be from these companies.
Renting a Motorbike
Renting a motorbike is a popular way to travel, but the UK government’s Vietnam safety advice is blunt: travelling by motorbike in Vietnam is much riskier than in the UK. It advises against hiring one unless you are an experienced rider, renting from a reputable company, wearing a good helmet (helmets are mandatory), and not handing over your passport as a guarantee. Driving without third-party insurance is illegal, and for UK visitors a 1968 international driving permit is needed alongside a UK licence. Important: Always get travel insurance that covers motorbike riding.
Food Budget
Food is where Vietnam’s low prices do the most work. Street food and local eateries are typically far cheaper than Western-style restaurants, and a bowl of pho, a banh mi, or a plate of com tam is usually a small fraction of a restaurant meal. Prices differ by city and by how touristy the area is.
Budget tip: Eat where locals eat. If the menu is only in Vietnamese and the stools are tiny, you’re often in the right place.
Visa Costs
Vietnam’s e-visa is straightforward, and the official site describes it as valid for a maximum of 90 days, single or multiple entry:
- Single entry: $25 USD
- Multiple entry: $50 USD (fees reported by VnEconomy)
- Processing: typically a few working days, so apply well before you travel
- Visa exemption: citizens of 12 countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan and South Korea, can stay up to 45 days without a visa (the exemption runs to 14 March 2028, per Vietnam’s national tourism board). Check whether your country is on the list.
Apply only through the official Vietnam e-visa portal at evisa.immigration.gov.vn, which is run by the Vietnam Immigration Department. Third-party sites often charge extra. Also check the entry requirements on your own government’s travel advice page, since rules can change.
Money Tips
- Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). Exchange rates change daily, so check a current rate (it has recently been in the region of 26,000 VND per US dollar).
- Change money at official outlets - The UK government warns that you should only change money at official exchange counters, and that changing money elsewhere is illegal.
- ATMs charge fees - Fees and withdrawal limits vary by bank, so check your own bank’s foreign-transaction fees and the ATM’s on-screen fee before confirming.
- Carry cash - Many street vendors, markets, and smaller towns are cash-only.
- Pay in VND - Paying in US dollars usually gives a worse rate than paying in dong.
- Haggle at markets - Start well below the asking price and settle somewhere fair. Don’t haggle at restaurants or with street food vendors.
Sample 2-Week Budget
Add up your own estimate from current prices for each line below:
| Item | What to estimate |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 14 nights at your typical per-night rate |
| Food | 14 days of street food and cafe meals |
| Transport | Buses, trains, flights and Grab |
| Activities & entrance fees | Museums, tours and sites on your list |
| Visa | $25 USD for a single-entry e-visa (if you need one) |
Two weeks from Hanoi to Saigon is a common backpacker route, and the visa fee is one of the few fixed costs you can price exactly.