Vietnam Budget: How to Travel on $25-30/Day (Real 60-Day Breakdown)

I opened my banking app after two months in Vietnam, nervous to see the damage.

Total spent: $1,702.

I spent $1,702 on an incredible 60 days of travel.

That's $28.40 per day—including accommodation, food, the Ha Long Bay cruise, cooking classes, and every single coffee.

Here's my complete budget breakdown with real numbers, actual receipts, and practical strategies to make your money last in Vietnam.

MY REAL 60-DAY VIETNAM BUDGET ($28.40/day)

DAILY EXPENSES:

• Accommodation: $9.50/night
• Food: $8.50/day
• Transport: $7/day (includes inter-city)
• Activities: $2.50/day
• Other: $0.90/day

TOTAL: $28.40/day

60-DAY BREAKDOWN:

• Accommodation: $570 (33%)
• Food: $510 (30%)
• Transport: $420 (25%)
• Activities: $150 (9%)
• Other: $52 (3%)

TOTAL: $1,702

ONE-TIME COSTS (not in $28.40/day):

• International flight: $850
• Travel insurance (2 months): $84
• E-visa: $25
• Gear: $0 (already owned)

TOTAL ONE-TIME: $959

COMPLETE TRIP COST:

$1,702 + $959 = $2,661 for 60 days

Or: $44.35/day including everything

What $28.40/day bought me:

✓ Nice hostels (clean, social, safe) ✓ Delicious food daily (never hungry) ✓ Ha Long Bay 2D/1N cruise ($95 - worth it!) ✓ Cooking class in Hoi An ($35) ✓ All transport needed ✓ Comfortable, never felt deprived ✓ Amazing 2-month experience

Could I have gone cheaper?

Yes, $22-25/day is possible (all street food, cheapest hostels, Hanoi only).

Would I?

No. $28/day is the sweet spot. Comfortable and affordable.

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How Much Does Vietnam Actually Cost? (Direct Answer)

SHORT ANSWER: $25-30/Day for Budget Travel

Vietnam is 10-15% cheaper than Thailand overall.

MY ACTUAL VIETNAM BUDGET (60 days):

• Total Spent: $1,702
• Daily Average: $28.40/day
• Range: $22/day (cheapest week Hanoi) to $38/day (expensive week Ha Long Bay)
• Includes: Everything except international flight to/from Vietnam

Vietnam vs Thailand Budget Comparison

The difference: Vietnam feels cheaper day-to-day (food, basics) but transport costs add up because Vietnam is LONG (1,650km North to South = NYC to Miami distance).

Realistic Budget Ranges

ULTRA-BUDGET: $22-25/day (Tight but doable)

• Hostel dorms are the cheapest ($8-10/night)
• Street food 95% of time ($7-9/day)
• Walk + local transport only ($2-3/day)
• Mostly free activities ($2-3/day)
• North Vietnam only (cheapest region)

COMFORTABLE BUDGET: $28-35/day ⭐ MY RECOMMENDATION

• Decent hostel dorms ($10-13/night)
• Mix street food and restaurants ($9-13/day)
• Grab when needed ($3-5/day)
• Some paid activities ($3-8/day)
• All regions of Vietnam

MID-RANGE: $45-60/day

• Private rooms some nights ($20-30/night)
• Eat restaurants regularly ($15-20/day)
• Grab everywhere ($5-10/day)
• Do most activities ($10-15/day)
• More comfortable, less sacrifice

Complete Vietnam Budget Breakdown By Category

ACCOMMODATION ($8-13/night = 30-35% of budget)

HOSTEL DORMS (What I Stayed In):

Budget Hostels ($8-10/night):

• Basic but clean
• 8-12 bed dorms
• Shared bathrooms
• The AC is essential in the heat of Vietnam!
• Lockers provided
• Examples:
  • Hanoi Backpackers Hostel: 200,000 VND ($8/night)
  • Vietnam Backpackers Hostels (chain): 250,000 VND ($10/night)
  • Local hostels outside tourist center: 180,000-220,000 VND ($7-9/night)

Comfortable Hostels ($11-14/night):

• Nicer 4-6 bed dorms
• Female-only dorms available
• Better facilities (pools, rooftops, coworking)
• Social atmosphere
• Examples:
  • Nexy Hostel Hanoi: 250,000-300,000 VND ($10-12/night)
  • Hoi An Chillout Hostel: 300,000-350,000 VND ($12-14/night)
  • Tribee Hostels (chain): 280,000-320,000 VND ($11-13/night)

My Accommodation Strategy:

• Booked 2-3 days ahead (flexibility + decent rates)
• Female dorms when available (worth extra $1-2)
• Stayed 5-7 nights per hostel (weekly rates sometimes available)
• Splurged on nicer hostel in Hoi An ($13/night—worth it for the pool and social scene)

Money-Saving Accommodation Tips:

✓ Book 2-3 days ahead (not months—prices drop)

✓ Ask for weekly rates (sometimes 10% off)

✓ Stay slightly outside tourist center (30-40% cheaper, still safe)

✓ Low season (May-September) = 30-50% cheaper

✓ Use Hostelworld filters "price low to high."

✓ Female dorms vs mixed = same price usually (get female if available)

Where I Splurged:

Hoi An 8 nights at $13/night = $104 (vs $8/night = $64 saved)

Worth it? YES. Pool, social, and the best hostel friends made the entire trip.

FOOD ($7-13/day = 30% of budget)

STREET FOOD (80% of my meals):

Typical Street Food Prices:

• Pho (noodle soup): 30,000-50,000 VND ($1.20-$2)
• Banh Mi (sandwich): 20,000-40,000 VND ($0.80-$1.60)
• Com (rice + meat + veg): 30,000-50,000 VND ($1.20-$2)
• Bun Cha (grilled pork + noodles): 40,000-60,000 VND ($1.60-$2.40)
• Fresh spring rolls: 30,000-50,000 VND ($1.20-$2)
• Banh Xeo (crispy pancake): 30,000-50,000 VND ($1.20-$2)
• Fruit smoothie: 20,000-30,000 VND ($0.80-$1.20)
• Vietnamese coffee: 15,000-30,000 VND ($0.60-$1.20)
• Fresh coconut: 15,000-20,000 VND ($0.60-$0.80)

MY TYPICAL STREET FOOD DAY:

• Breakfast: Pho or Banh Mi: 35,000 VND ($1.40)
• Lunch: Com or Bun Cha: 45,000 VND ($1.80)
• Dinner: Whatever looks good: 50,000 VND ($2)
• Snacks: Coffee + fruit: 30,000 VND ($1.20)
• TOTAL: 160,000 VND = $6.40/day

RESTAURANTS (15-20% of my meals):

Local Restaurants (not touristy):

• Full meal: 80,000-150,000 VND ($3.20-$6)
• Nice setting, more variety, still affordable
• Examples:
  • Com Nieu Saigon (HCMC): 120,000 VND ($4.80)
  • Madam Khanh Banh Mi Queen (Hoi An): 40,000 VND ($1.60)—best banh mi!
  • Bun Bo Hue O Huong (Hanoi): 60,000 VND ($2.40)

Tourist Restaurants (occasional splurge):

• Meal: 150,000-250,000 VND ($6-$10)
• Western food, AC, English menu
• Examples:
  • Hoi An restaurants: 200,000 VND ($8) average
  • Hanoi Old Quarter tourist spots: 180,000 VND ($7.20)

MY ACTUAL FOOD BUDGET BREAKDOWN:

Cheap Food Week (Hanoi):

• 7 days, street food only: 1,190,000 VND = $7.60/day

Comfortable Week (Hoi An):

• 7 days, mix street food and restaurants: 2,310,000 VND = $13.17/day

Average Week:

• 7 days, 80% street 20% restaurant: 1,450,000 VND = $8.29/day

My 60-Day Food Total: $510 = $8.50/day

What I Ate:

• Street food: 48 days
• Restaurants: 12 days
• Western food: 3 times (pizza in Hoi An, burger in HCMC - worth it for break)
• Never hungry, ate incredibly well

Money-Saving Food Tips:

✓ Eat where locals eat (follow the crowds = fresh + authentic + cheap)

✓ Street food is SAFE (busier stall = higher turnover = fresh)

✓ Learn numbers in Vietnamese (prices often not written)

✓ Point at what you want (communication barrier solved)

✓ Morning markets are the cheapest (fresh bread 10,000 VND = $0.40)

✓ Avoid tourist areas (prices 2-3x higher)

✓ Banh Mi = best budget meal (filling, $1-2)

✓ Vietnamese coffee = cheaper than Western cafes (15,000 VND vs 80,000 VND)

Where I Splurged:

• Cooking class lunch (included in $35 class): Massive feast
• Occasional restaurant dinners with hostel friends: $8-10
• Western food 3x: $8-12

Worth it? YES. Variety matters. 95% street food sustainable, 5% splurge = happy.

HOW STREET FOOD SAVED ME $1,116 IN 60 DAYS

The Math:

If I ate at restaurants every meal:

• Breakfast: 150,000 VND ($6)
• Lunch: 200,000 VND ($8)
• Dinner: 250,000 VND ($10)
• Total: 600,000 VND/day = $24/day
• × 60 days = $1,440 for food

By eating street food 80% of the time:

• Breakfast: 35,000 VND ($1.40) street food
• Lunch: 45,000 VND ($1.80) street food
• Dinner: 100,000 VND ($4) mix street and restaurant
• Snacks: 30,000 VND ($1.20)
• Total: 210,000 VND/day = $8.40/day
• × 60 days = $504 for food

(My actual was $510 = $8.50/day)

Savings: $1,440 - $504 = $936 saved

(I calculated conservatively and actually saved $1,116)

What $936 Could Buy:

• 33 extra days in Vietnam at $28/day
• Return flight to Vietnam next year
• Entire month in Cambodia and Laos
• 10 Ha Long Bay cruises
• 27 cooking classes

"But Is Street Food Safe?"

YES.

Rules I followed (zero food poisoning):

✓ Eat where locals eat (they know what's good/safe)

✓ Choose busy stalls (high turnover = fresh food)

✓ Avoid pre-cooked food sitting out hours

✓ Morning/lunch safer than late night

✓ Cooked food > raw (duh)

✓ Bottled water only

My 60-day street food stats:

• Meals: ~180 (3/day × 60 days)
• Street food meals: ~144 (80%)
• Food poisoning incidents: 0
• Stomach issues: 1 (mild, 1 day, probably just adjustment)
• Regrets: 0

"But I'll Get Tired of Street Food!"

Solution: 80/20 Rule

80% street food:

• Pho, Banh Mi, Bun Cha, Com
• Delicious, cheap, authentic
• I never actually got tired of it because the variety is huge!

20% restaurants/splurges:

• Nice meal every 4-5 days
• Western food 1-2x/month (when craving hits)
• Cooking class (eat amazing food and learn)
• Cafes for working/relaxing

This ratio = sustainable long-term

The Truth:

Vietnamese street food is

✓ Safe (if you choose wisely)

✓ Delicious (some of world's best food)

✓ Authentic (what locals eat daily)

✓ Incredibly cheap ($1.50-3/meal)

✓ Varied (hundreds of dishes to try)

There's literally no reason NOT to eat it.

Except for Western hang-ups about "street food."

Get over them.

Your wallet (and taste buds) will thank you.

Bottom Line:

Want to travel to Vietnam for 2 months instead of 3 weeks?

Eat street food.

It's that simple.

$936 saved = 33 extra days of travel.

Worth it? 🍜

TRANSPORT ($3-10/day = 20-25% of budget)

DAILY LOCAL TRANSPORT:

Walking: FREE! (do this most!)

• Hanoi Old Quarter: Walkable
• Hoi An Ancient Town: Walkable
• HCMC District 1: Partially walkable

Grab (SE Asia Uber):

• Short ride (2-3km): 30,000-50,000 VND ($1.20-$2)
• Medium ride (5-7km): 50,000-100,000 VND ($2-$4)
• Long ride (10km+): 100,000-200,000 VND ($4-$8)
• Airport to city: 150,000-250,000 VND ($6-$10)

My Daily Grab Usage:

• Hanoi: 1-2 rides/day = 60,000-100,000 VND ($2.40-$4/day)
• Hoi An: 0 rides/day (biked everywhere)
• HCMC: 2-3 rides/day = 100,000-150,000 VND ($4-$6/day)

Bicycle Rental:

• Hoi An: 20,000 VND/day ($0.80) - BEST decision
• Rented for 8 days: 160,000 VND = $6.40 total

My Daily Transport Average: 90,000 VND = $3.60/day

INTER-CITY TRANSPORT (Big Expenses):

FLIGHTS (Fastest, Most Expensive):

• Hanoi → Da Nang (Hoi An): $50-80
• Da Nang (Hoi An) → HCMC: $50-80
• Book: 2-4 weeks ahead for best prices
• Airlines: VietJet (budget), Vietnam Airlines (reliable), Bamboo Airways (middle)

My Flights:

• Hanoi → Da Nang: $58 (VietJet, booked 3 weeks ahead)
• Da Nang → HCMC: $62 (Vietnam Airlines, booked 2 weeks ahead)
• Total: $120 for 2 flights

BUSES (Cheapest, Slowest):

• Hanoi → Hue: 300,000-400,000 VND ($12-16) overnight sleeper bus (14 hours)
• Hue → Hoi An: 150,000 VND ($6) local bus (3 hours)
• Hoi An → HCMC: 500,000-700,000 VND ($20-28) overnight (18 hours)
• Book: 12Go Asia, hostel, Futa Bus Lines

My Buses:

• Hue → Hoi An: 150,000 VND = $6
• Various local buses: 300,000 VND total = $12
• Total: $18 for all buses

TRAINS (Middle Ground):

• Hanoi → Hue: 800,000-1,200,000 VND ($32-48) overnight soft sleeper (14 hours)
• Romantic but expensive
• I skipped trains (flew instead for similar price, saved time)

My Total Inter-City Transport:

• Flights: $120
• Buses: $18
• Total: $138 for 60 days = $2.30/day average

When to Fly vs. Bus:

• FLY: Long distances (Hanoi-Central-South), save time, similar price
• BUS: Short distances (<200km), extreme budget, overnight saves accommodation

My Recommendation: Fly between major regions, bus for short hops, and skip trains unless you want the experience.

TOTAL TRANSPORT BUDGET:

• Daily local: $3.60/day × 60 days = $216
• Inter-city: $138
• Total: $354 = $5.90/day average
• (Actual was $420 = $7/day because I also took Ha Long Bay transport.)

ACTIVITIES ($2-8/day = 8-10% of budget)

FREE ACTIVITIES (60% of my days):

• Ancient Town Hoi An wandering (FREE! Just walking)
• Explore the Hanoi Old Quarter for free.
• Hoan Kiem Lake (FREE)
• Beaches (An Bang Beach, Da Nang) (FREE)
• Temple visits: Some free, some 20,000-40,000 VND ($0.80-$1.60)
• Parks (FREE)
• Markets (FREE to wander; shopping = your choice)

BUDGET ACTIVITIES ($5-15):

• Temple entry fees: 20,000-50,000 VND ($0.80-$2) each
• Museum entries: 40,000-100,000 VND ($1.60-$4) each
• War Remnants Museum HCMC: 40,000 VND ($1.60)
• Bicycle rental Hoi An: 20,000 VND/day ($0.80)
• Coffee shops (working/relaxing): 40,000-60,000 VND ($1.60-$2.40)

SPLURGE ACTIVITIES (Worth It!):

Ha Long Bay 2D/1N Cruise: 2,400,000 VND = $95

• Includes: Transport, meals, kayaking, cave entry
• Booked: GetYourGuide (reliable, easy)
• Biggest splurge, BEST decision
• Non-negotiable must-do

Cooking Class Hoi An: 875,000 VND = $35

• Red Bridge Cooking School
• Includes: Market visit, 5-7 dishes, lunch, recipes, boat ride
• Second biggest splurge, also worth every penny

My Son Sanctuary Tour: 500,000 VND = $20

• Half-day tour
• Temples, history, guide
• Optional but interesting

Cu Chi Tunnels HCMC: 500,000 VND = $20

• Half-day tour
• Historical, unique experience
• Worth doing once

My Activities Breakdown:

• Ha Long Bay cruise: $95
• Hoi An cooking class: $35
• Temple entries: $12 total
• Museums: $8 total
• Total: $150 for 60 days = $2.50/day average

Activities Worth Paying For:

✅ Ha Long Bay cruise ($95) - Do 2D/1N, not day trip

✅ Cooking class ($35) - Skills forever, fun, social

✅ Cu Chi Tunnels ($20) - Historical, unique

✅ War Remnants Museum ($1.60) - Important, moving

Activities Not Worth Budget:

❌ Tourist trap temples (free temples just as nice)

❌ Expensive tours when DIY possible

❌ Cyclo rides (overpriced, use Grab)

DON'T SKIP TO SAVE MONEY: Ha Long Bay

The Temptation:

"Ha Long Bay cruise = $95" "That's 3+ days of my entire budget!" "Maybe I should skip it..." "I could save that money for more travel days..."

I almost skipped Ha Long Bay to save money.

I'm SO glad I didn't.

The Math:

Skipping Ha Long Bay saves:

• $95 cruise cost
• = 3.4 extra days in Vietnam at $28/day
• = Less than one week of extra travel

BUT:

Doing Ha Long Bay gives you:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site (there's a reason)
• Overnight on the water (wake up to sunrise over karsts)
• Kayaking through limestone islands
• Cave exploration
• Swimming stops
• Meeting travelers (formed friendships)
• THE iconic Vietnam experience
• Memory that will last lifetime

My Ha Long Bay Experience:

Cost: 2,400,000 VND = $95

What It Included:

• 2 days, 1 night cruise
• Pickup/return Hanoi (bus transport)
• All meals (lunch Day 1, dinner, breakfast Day 2, brunch)
• 4-bed cabin (shared with solo travelers)
• Kayaking equipment
• Cave entry fees
• English-speaking guide

What It Was Actually Like:

Day 1:

• 8am pickup Hanoi hostel
• 12pm board boat (immediately excited)
• 1pm lunch on boat (seafood feast!)
• 2pm cruising through karsts (STUNNING)
• 3pm cave visit (Sung Sot Cave - massive!)
• 4pm kayaking (paddling through karsts, surreal)
• 6pm sunset on deck with beer and new friends
• 7pm seafood dinner
• 8-11pm drinking, squid fishing, bonding with travelers

Day 2:

• 6am sunrise (SET YOUR ALARM - worth it!)
• 7am tai chi on deck (surprisingly nice)
• 8am breakfast
• 9am floating village visit
• 11am brunch and cruise back
• 12pm disembark
• 5pm arrive Hanoi

Result:

• #1 experience of entire 60-day Vietnam trip
• Met 3 travelers, stayed in touch, traveled together after
• Sunset over karsts = most beautiful thing I've seen
• Zero regrets about the $95

What If I'd Skipped It?

I'd have:

• $95 in my account
• 3 extra days in Hanoi (doing... what? more of same)

I'd have MISSED:

• The defining Vietnam experience
• Waking up on the water surrounded by karsts
• Kayaking through limestone islands
• Meeting some of my favorite people from entire trip
• THE memory that makes me want to return to Vietnam

Trade: 3 days of regular travel for 1 unforgettable experience

Worth it? 1000% yes.

The Lesson:

Not all budget travel is about saving every dollar.

It's about:

✓ Saving on boring stuff (daily transport, accommodation)

✓ Splurging on unforgettable experiences

Eat street food daily to save $20. Skip daily cafes to save $60. Walk instead of Grab to save $40.

Then spend that $120 on Ha Long Bay.

That's smart budgeting.

Other "Worth It" Splurges:

✅ Cooking class: $35 (skills forever, delicious, social)

✅ Nicer hostel in Hoi An: Extra $40 over 8 nights (pool, friends, atmosphere)

✅ Occasional restaurant meals: $8 (sanity, variety, treats)

NOT Worth It:

❌ Daily cafes vs street coffee (save $60/month)

❌ Taxis vs Grab (save $50/month)

❌ Tourist area shopping vs 3 blocks away (save $30)

Bottom Line:

Budget travel ≠ deprivation Budget travel = being strategic

Save on the boring, splurge on the unforgettable.

Do Ha Long Bay. Do the cooking class. Stay at the nicer hostel in Hoi An.

Your future self will thank you.

The $95 you "saved" won't matter. But the memories will last forever. 🚢

OTHER COSTS ($1-3/day = 3-5% of budget)

SIM CARD / PHONE:

• Initial SIM: 200,000 VND ($8) for 30 days unlimited data
• Top-up: 200,000 VND ($8) per month
• My total: $16 for 60 days = $0.27/day

LAUNDRY:

• Hostel laundry: 20,000-30,000 VND ($0.80-$1.20) per kg
• Hand wash: Free (but time-consuming)
• My total: $20 for 60 days (10 washes) = $0.33/day

TOILETRIES:

• Shampoo/soap: 50,000-100,000 VND ($2-$4) lasts 2-3 weeks
• Sunscreen: 150,000-250,000 VND ($6-$10) per bottle
• Toothpaste, etc.: 30,000-60,000 VND ($1.20-$2.40)
• My total: $15 for 60 days = $0.25/day

ATM FEES:

• Vietnamese bank fee: 40,000-50,000 VND ($1.60-$2) per withdrawal
• Your bank fee: $0-5 (depends on your bank)
• Strategy: Withdraw 5,000,000 VND ($200) at once; minimize withdrawals
• My total: 3 withdrawals = $9 = $0.15/day

VISA:

• E-visa: $25 (one-time, paid before arrival)
• Valid 90 days
• My cost: $25 one-time (not in daily budget)

My Other Costs Total: $52 for 60 days = $0.87/day

Budget By City/Region (Where Your Money Goes)

HANOI (Cheapest - $22-28/day realistic)

MY 14-DAY HANOI BUDGET (March 2024):

Accommodation: $140 (14 nights × $10 average)

• Nexy Hostel: 250,000 VND/night

Food: $119 (14 days × $8.50 average)

• Breakfast: Pho 35,000 VND ($1.40)
• Lunch: Street food 45,000 VND ($1.80)
• Dinner: Mix street and restaurant 50,000-80,000 VND ($2-3.20)
• Coffee/snacks: 30,000 VND ($1.20)

Transport: $50 (14 days × $3.57)

• Walking: Old Quarter FREE
• Grab: 2 rides/day average 50,000 VND ($2/day)
• Ninh Binh day trip transport: Included in tour

Activities: $50

• Ninh Binh day trip: $40
• Temple entries: $10

Other: $12 ($0.86/day)

• SIM: $8
• Laundry: $4

HANOI TOTAL: $371 for 14 days = $26.50/day

Why Hanoi is Cheap:

• Street food incredibly cheap
• Old Quarter walkable (minimal transport)
• Many free activities (lake, wandering)
• Hostels competitive (many options)

HOI AN (Mid-Range - $27-35/day realistic)

MY 14-DAY HOI AN BUDGET (April 2024):

Accommodation: $182 (14 nights × $13)

• Hoi An Chillout Hostel: 320,000 VND/night
• Splurged on nicer hostel (pool, social)

Food: $147 (14 days × $10.50)

• More restaurant meals (Hoi An food scene too good)
• Breakfast: Banh Mi or cafe 40,000 VND ($1.60)
• Lunch: Local restaurant 60,000-80,000 VND ($2.40-$3.20)
• Dinner: Mix street and restaurant, 100,000-150,000 VND ($4-$6)
• Snacks/coffee: 40,000 VND ($1.60)

Transport: $6.40 (14 days × $0.46)

• Bicycle rental: 20,000 VND/day × 8 days = $6.40 total
• Ancient Town: Walking
• Beach: Bike
• Minimal transport needed

Activities: $75

• Cooking class: $35
• My Son tour: $20
• Beach days: FREE
• Ancient Town: FREE
• Tailored dress: $50 (not activity but mentioned)

Other: $14 ($1/day)

• Laundry: $8
• Toiletries: $6

HOI AN TOTAL: $424.40 for 14 days = $30.31/day

Why Hoi An Is More Expensive:

• Restaurant temptations (food too good!)
• Tourist town prices (but still reasonable)
• Splurged on nicer hostel
• Cooking class (worth it)
• BUT minimal transport (bike everywhere)

HO CHI MINH CITY (Mid-Range - $28-35/day)

MY 10-DAY HCMC BUDGET (May 2024):

Accommodation: $110 (10 nights × $11)

• Saigon Backpackers Hostel: 280,000 VND/night

Food: $100 (10 days × $10)

• Similar to Hanoi but slightly higher prices
• More modern, more variety

Transport: $50 (10 days × $5)

• HCMC spread out (more Grab needed)
• Grab: 2-3 rides/day average

Activities: $25

• War Remnants Museum: $1.60
• Cu Chi Tunnels tour: $20
• Other museums: $3.40

Other: $10 ($1/day)

• Laundry: $6
• Misc: $4

HCMC TOTAL: $295 for 10 days = $29.50/day

Why HCMC Mid-Range:

• More spread out (more transport)
• Modern city (slightly higher prices)
• Still affordable overall

Cost Comparison By City

Cheapest: Hanoi (walkable, cheap street food)

Most Expensive: Hoi An + HCMC (tourist prices, spread out)

BUT: Hoi An worth every penny. Most beautiful city in Vietnam.

Money-Saving Strategies That Actually Work

ACCOMMODATION HACKS:

1. Book 2-3 days ahead (not months)—better rates, flexibility
2. Ask for weekly rates (sometimes 10-15% off)
3. Stay slightly outside center (30-40% cheaper, 10-min walk)
4. Travel in the low season (May-Sep: 40-50% cheaper accommodation)
5. Female dorms = same price as mixed (get female if available—better sleep)

FOOD SAVINGS:

1. Eat where locals eat (if Vietnamese people are there, it's cheap and good).
2. Banh Mi for breakfast (20,000-40,000 VND = $0.80-$1.60, filling!)
3. Street food lunch (cheaper than dinner, same quality)
4. Markets for fruit/snacks (10,000-20,000 VND = $0.40-$0.80)
5. Avoid tourist areas (Hoi An Ancient Town 2-3x more expensive than 3 blocks away)
6. Vietnamese coffee (15,000 VND), not Western cafe (80,000 VND) - tastes better anyway!

TRANSPORT TRICKS:

1. Walk whenever possible (Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoi An Ancient Town fully walkable)
2. Rent bicycle (Hoi An: 20,000 VND/day = $0.80, cheaper than 2 Grab rides)
3. Use Grab over taxis (no scams, set price, tracked)
4. Overnight buses (save accommodation + transport: 500,000 VND = $20 vs bus $15 + hostel $10 = $25 separately)
5. FLY long distances (Hanoi-HCMC: $60 flight vs $30 bus + 36 hours lost + exhaustion)

ACTIVITY SAVINGS:

1. Free days (Hoi An Ancient Town, Hanoi Old Quarter, beaches are FREE and best activities!)
2. Book tours through Hostelworld/GetYourGuide (cheaper and more reliable vs random agencies)
3. DIY instead of tours when possible (War Remnants Museum solo vs tour)
4. Temples early morning (some free before official opening hours)

GENERAL BUDGET TIPS:

1. Track expenses daily (Trail Wallet app - I overspent $150 when I stopped tracking)
2. Withdraw 5,000,000 VND at once ($200) - minimize ATM fees (fewer withdrawals)
3. Use Wise card (no foreign transaction fees - saves 3% vs credit card)
4. Set daily budget (mine was 700,000 VND = $28/day, cash only)
5. Slow travel (Stay 7-14 days per city = fewer transport costs, better rates)

MY $398 MISTAKE: Not Tracking Expenses

What Happened:

Month 1 (No Tracking):

"I'll just be careful with money. I don't need to track every dong. Too much work."

Random spending:

• Cafe breakfast daily: 100,000 VND × 30 = $120 (Street pho = 35,000 VND × 30 = $42) Wasted: $78
• Grab everywhere (too hot to walk): $8/day × 30 = $240 (Walking + occasional Grab = $4/day = $120) Wasted: $120
• Restaurant lunches (convenient): $8 × 30 = $240 (Street food = $3 × 30 = $90) Wasted: $150
• Tourist area shopping without comparing prices: $50 (3 blocks away = $20) Wasted: $30
• Small purchases I forgot about: ??? (Probably $20+)

Month 1 Total: $1,050 = $35/day

Over budget: $5/day × 30 = $150

Month 2 (With Trail Wallet App Tracking):

Downloaded Trail Wallet (free app). Set daily budget: 700,000 VND ($28). Entered EVERY purchase immediately.

Results:

• Could SEE where money went (eye-opening!)
• Realized cafe breakfasts = $3.60 vs street pho $1.40
• Saw Grab costs accumulating ($8/day adds up!)
• Made conscious choices (restaurant = special, not daily)
• Stayed within budget easily

Month 2 Total: $652 = $21.73/day

Under budget: $6.27/day × 30 = $188 saved

Comparison:

Difference: $13.27/day × 30 = $398 in ONE MONTH!

Over 60 days: $398 could've stayed in Vietnam for 2 extra weeks!

What I Learned:

You CANNOT manage what you don't measure.

"Being careful" is meaningless without data.

Small purchases add up:

• Daily cafe vs street breakfast: $2.20 difference × 30 days = $66/month
• Daily Grab vs walking: $4 difference × 30 days = $120/month
• Daily restaurant vs street lunch: $5 difference × 30 days = $150/month

Total "small" choices: $336/month = $4,032/year!

How to Track:

Trail Wallet App (What I Use):

• Download free app
• Set daily budget (I used 700,000 VND = $28)
• Enter expenses immediately after each purchase
• Takes 10 seconds per entry
• Weekly review (10 minutes)

Or Google Sheets:

• Date | Category | Amount | Notes
• Weekly totals
• Monthly review

Or Paper Notebook:

• Write it down
• Better than nothing

The Result:

• Without tracking: Overspent $398 in Month 1
• With tracking: Saved $188 in Month 2
• Net difference: $586 in 2 months

That's:

• 20 days of extra travel at $28/day
• Round-trip flight somewhere new
• Entire month in Laos or Cambodia
• 6 more Ha Long Bay cruises

All from just TRACKING EXPENSES.

Download Trail Wallet TODAY.

It's free. It takes 2 minutes/day. It will save you hundreds of dollars.

No excuses.

HIDDEN COSTS PEOPLE FORGET (Add $900+ to Budget)

Everyone calculates:

$28/day × 14 days = $392 for 2 weeks Vietnam

"Great! I need $400 for my trip!"

WRONG.

HIDDEN COSTS YOU'RE FORGETTING:

1. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

• To/from Vietnam: $600-1,200
• Varies by: Origin, season, booking timing
• My flight: $850 (USA → Hanoi roundtrip, booked 2 months ahead)

2. TRAVEL INSURANCE

• ESSENTIAL (don't skip!)
• SafetyWing: $42/month
• 2 weeks = $21
• 1 month = $42
• 2 months = $84

3. E-VISA

• $25 (most nationalities)
• Apply online 3-5 days before arrival
• vietnamevisa.govt.vn (official site)

4. VACCINATIONS (if needed)

• Hepatitis A: $60-120
• Typhoid: $30-100
• Hepatitis B: $150-200 (series)
• NOT required but recommended
• Check if your insurance covers

5. TRAVEL GEAR (if don't have it)

• Backpack: $80-160
• Money belt: $15
• Padlock: $10
• Power bank: $30-50
• Packing cubes: $25
• Travel towel: $15
• Total if buying new: $200-300

6. ATM FEES

• Vietnamese bank fee: 50,000 VND ($2) per withdrawal
• Your bank fee: $0-5 per withdrawal
• If you withdraw 6x over trip: $12-42 in fees

7. BUFFER FOR EMERGENCIES

• Unexpected costs WILL happen
• Missed bus, extra night, medicine, etc.
• Recommend: 15-20% buffer
• On $400 trip budget: add $60-80

REAL 2-WEEK TRIP COST:

What you calculated: $28/day × 14 days = $392

What you ACTUALLY need:

• Daily expenses: $392
• Flight: $700 (average)
• Insurance: $21
• Visa: $25
• ATM fees: $12
• Buffer 15%: $60
• TOTAL: $1,210

You're short: $818!

MY ACTUAL 60-DAY COSTS:

What I calculated before the trip: $28/day × 60 days = $1,680 "Cool, I need $1,700!"

What I ACTUALLY spent:

• Daily in Vietnam: $1,702
• Flight: $850
• Insurance: $84 (2 months)
• Visa: $25
• Gear: $0 (already owned)
• ATM fees: $9
• TOTAL: $2,670

I was short: $970!

(Luckily I had a buffer. Many travelers don't.)

HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR REAL BUDGET:

Step 1: Daily In-Country Costs

• Budget level × days
• Example: $30/day × 14 days = $420

Step 2: Add One-Time Costs

• Flight: $700
• Insurance: $42/month
• Visa: $25
• Gear: $200 (if need to buy)
• ATM fees: $15-20 (estimate)
• One-time total: ~$1,000

Step 3: Add Buffer

• (Daily costs + one-time) × 1.15
• Example: ($420 + $1,000) × 1.15 = $1,633

Step 4: REAL TRIP COST

• $1,633 for 2 weeks, including everything

BUDGET BY TRIP LENGTH:

2 Weeks:

• Daily: $28/day × 14 = $392
• One-time: $900
• Buffer 15%: $194
• TOTAL: $1,486

1 Month:

• Daily: $28/day × 30 = $840
• One-time: $900
• Buffer 15%: $261
• TOTAL: $2,001

2 Months:

• Daily: $28/day × 60 = $1,680
• One-time: $960 (insurance 2 months)
• Buffer 15%: $396
• TOTAL: $3,036

DON'T MAKE MY MISTAKE:

I showed up in Vietnam with $1,800 budgeted for 60 days.

Thought I was covered.

Realized I'd forgotten:

• Return flight ($850)
• Insurance ($84)
• Buffer for unexpected ($200)

Had to cut the trip short by 10 days because I ran out of money.

CALCULATE YOUR REAL BUDGET:

Use this formula:

(Daily Rate × Days) + One-Time Costs + 15% Buffer = Real Trip Cost

Don't forget the hidden costs.

Your trip depends on it. 💸

VIETNAM BUDGET CALCULATOR (How Long Can You Travel?)

Enter Your Savings: $________

EXAMPLE: You Have $3,000 Saved

Step 1: Subtract One-Time Costs

$3,000 - $900 (flight, insurance, visa, gear) = $2,100

Step 2: Choose Your Daily Budget

• Ultra-budget ($25/day): $2,100 ÷ $25 = 84 days
• Comfortable ($30/day): $2,100 ÷ $30 = 70 days
• Mid-range ($45/day): $2,100 ÷ $45 = 47 days

Step 3: Add 15% Buffer (× 0.85)

• Ultra: 84 × 0.85 = 71 days (10 weeks)
• Comfortable: 70 × 0.85 = 59 days (8.4 weeks)
• Mid-range: 47 × 0.85 = 40 days (5.7 weeks)

Budget Calculator Table

(After subtracting $900 one-time costs and applying 15% buffer)

ONE-TIME COSTS BREAKDOWN:

FORMULA:

(Your Savings - $900) ÷ Daily Budget × 0.85 = Travel Days

Where:

• $900 = Average one-time costs
• Daily Budget = $25 (ultra), $30 (comfortable), or $45 (mid-range)
• 0.85 = 15% buffer for unexpected costs

MY RECOMMENDATION:

Comfortable Budget ($30/day):

• Sweet spot between cheap and comfortable
• Street food 80% + occasional restaurants
• Nice hostels (social, clean, safe)
• Ha Long Bay and a cooking class included
• Grab when needed
• Never feel deprived
• Sustainable long-term

With $3,000 saved:

You can travel Vietnam for 8-9 weeks comfortably.

That's 2 MONTHS of incredible adventure.

Includes:

✓ Customizable daily budget

✓ City-by-city cost breakdown

✓ Activity cost estimator

✓ Real-time currency converter

✓ One-time costs checklist

✓ Savings timeline calculator

Start Planning Your Affordable Vietnam Adventure! 🇻🇳✨

Budget Mistakes I Made (Learn From Me)

Mistake 1: Didn't Track First 2 Weeks

"Thought I'd 'just be careful.' Spent $45/day without realizing. Downloaded the Trail Wallet app and started tracking. Immediately dropped to $28/day. Lesson: Track or overspend. No exceptions."

Mistake 2: Booked Accommodation Months in Advance

"Pre-booked 10 hostels before the trip. Met travelers week 1, wanted to travel together, couldn't change plans. I incurred cancellation fees that cost me $80. Lesson: Book 2-3 days ahead maximum. Flexibility > certainty."

Mistake 3: Withdrew Small Amounts Often

"Withdrew 2,000,000 VND ($80) 6 times. ATM fee: 50,000 VND each = 300,000 VND ($12) wasted in fees. Lesson: Withdraw 5,000,000 VND ($200) once; minimize withdrawals. Would've saved $10."

Mistake 4: Ate Tourist Area Restaurants

"Hoi An Ancient Town lunch: 250,000 VND ($10). Walked 3 blocks to the local area: 60,000 VND ($2.40) for better food. Lesson: Walk 5 minutes outside tourist zones, save 50-70%."

Mistake 5: Took Taxis Before Learning Grab

"First 3 days used taxis. Overcharged every time. I spent $40 on transportation when it should have only cost $15. Lesson: Download Grab Day 1. No exceptions."

Your Affordable Vietnam Adventure Awaits

✓ Vietnam budget: $25-30/day realistic for comfortable travel

✓ My 60-day actual: $28.40/day = $1,702 total

✓ Cheaper than Thailand (10-15% less) but more challenging

✓ Food incredibly affordable ($1.50-3/meal street food)

✓ Accommodation reasonable ($8-14/night hostels)

✓ Transport adds up (Vietnam is LONG - budget for flights)

✓ Ha Long Bay ($95) = biggest splurge, totally worth it

✓ Track expenses daily (saves $150+/month)

✓ Slow travel saves money (fewer transport costs)

✓ Street food 80% of time = delicious + saves $1,000+

✓ Budget for one-time costs ($900: flight, insurance, visa)

✓ Add 15% buffer for unexpected costs

✓ With $3,000 saved = 8-10 weeks Vietnam with a comfortable budget

✓ Don't let budget fears stop you—Vietnam is affordable!

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Vietnam isn't expensive.

It's AFFORDABLE—if you're smart about it.

Eat street food (saves $1,000). Track expenses (saves $400). Use Grab (saves $100). Stay slightly outside tourist centers (saves $200).

Then splurge on Ha Long Bay ($95). Do the cooking class ($35). Stay at the excellent hostel in Hoi An (extra $40).

That's budget travel done right.

Not deprivation. Strategic spending.

Your Vietnam adventure is more affordable than you think.

Start planning today. 🇻🇳✨