PRICES IN VIETNAM
Is Vietnam expensive? How to estimate your travel budget
I also invite you to read more about Vietnam in general
There you’ll find information about the country, its history, visas, the best time to visit Vietnam, which SIM card to buy, and much more! More content will be added here, so feel free to check back regularly :)
Prices in Vietnam - is Vietnam expensive?
“How much money should I bring for a 2/3 week trip?” - this is one of the most common questions travelers ask. Unfortunately, there’s no single answer without knowing your expectations and travel style, because money means something different to everyone. Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Asia - if not the cheapest. On one hand, you can travel very budget-friendly and spend very little while still avoiding hostels. On the other hand, for relatively small amounts of money you can enjoy a level of comfort or even luxury that would be far beyond reach in Europe. Because of this, the difference between your planned and final travel budget can sometimes be quite significant.
Food prices in Vietnam - how much does a meal cost?
If you love good food and drink coffee often, Vietnam will feel like a culinary paradise. Street food prices are very low. You can easily have a full meal for just a few złoty (a few dollars), though prices naturally vary depending on the city, region and type of restaurant.
In major cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), street food usually costs between 20 000 and 60 000 VND (about $1–3) for dishes like pho, bun cha, or banh mi. Local eateries typically charge around 40 000 – 80 000 VND (about $2–4) for a meal. In nicer restaurants, including Western-style ones, you can expect to pay roughly 100 000 – 250 000 VND (about $4–10) for a main dish.
Prices in tourist destinations can be higher than in big cities. This is especially noticeable on Phu Quoc, but also in Hoi An, where food can be 20–30% more expensive than in Hanoi. Fresh seafood in restaurants may cost anywhere from 200 000 to 500 000 VND (about $8–20) per portion. An interesting exception is Da Nang. Even locals often say it’s the cheapest city in Vietnam and you can definitely feel it. One reason is that the local market is still more important to businesses than tourism, since the number of tourists is relatively smaller. If prices increased too much, locals simply wouldn’t come. That’s why you can easily have a good meal in a restaurant here for just a few dollars.
For example, a banh mi baguette filled with meat and vegetables might cost 35 000 VND near the beach, but in a less touristy area you might pay only 15,000 VND. In the countryside, food is usually even cheaper. A simple meal in a local eatery may cost just 20 000 – 40 000 VND (around $1–2), and fresh fruit can be bought for almost nothing.
Example prices in Vietnam
Pasta - around 80 000 – 100 000 VND
Pizza - 180 000 – 300 000 VND
Salads (e.g. Greek salad) - about 80 000 VND
Bagel with cream cheese - about 40 000 VND
Burger combo - 110 000 - 180 000 VND
Cream soups (pumpkin, vegetable, mushroom) - 30 000 – 50 000 VND
Smoothie bowl with fruit - around 60 000 VND
Typical breakfast set (pancakes or bread, omelette, sausages, bacon, coffee/tea) - 70 000 - 80 000 VND
Vegetables with fried rice - about 50 000 VND
Spring rolls - 40 000 - 80 000 VND
Shrimp with sides - 100 000 - 200 000 VND
Grilled fish - 80 000 – 250 000 VND
Grilled beef with vegetables - about 200 000 VND
Hot pot - 200 000 - 800 000 VND (depending on size and restaurant)
Drinks
Beer - about 20 000 - 40 000 VND
Cocktails - from 80 000 - 250 000 VND
Fresh coconut - 15 000 - 40 000 VND
Tea or coffee - 20 000 - 50 000 VND
Fresh juices and smoothies – usually 15 000 - 50 000 VND
Massage
Massage prices in Vietnam usually start from 100 000 - 250 000 VND, depending on the length of the session and the type of massage. A good one-hour massage typically costs around 20 – 40 PLN.
While in Vietnam, you should definitely try a Hair Spa treatment. It’s one of the most relaxing head massages you can experience.
If you’re a man, Vietnam also offers excellent barber services. I highly recommend going for the full package - including a face mask, massage, ear cleaning, and more. You’ll leave feeling completely refreshed, and the price? Surprisingly low.
Just make sure to choose places with good reviews on Google, because the quality of service can vary depending on the location.
Accommodation in Vietnam
Accommodation options in Vietnam are very diverse and especially compared to neighboring countries really affordable. You can easily book a double room in a hotel for around 50–80 zł per night. On the other hand, there are also many luxury hotels with swimming pools, bathtubs, and beautiful surroundings, often located right by the beach or in lush green areas, for about 200–300 zł per night. This means you can easily treat yourself to a bit of luxury while traveling. And this is exactly where things start to vary when it comes to how much you’ll spend in Vietnam. If you’re happy staying in budget-friendly but nice hotels, two people can easily spend less than 1 000 zł for two weeks of accommodation. However, if you want to upgrade your stay and enjoy more comfort, the total cost might reach 3 000 4 000 zł. If you’re planning to stay in Vietnam for a longer period—such as a month or more—you can easily rent a comfortable apartment with a separate bedroom, living room, and kitchen in a great location for around 800–1200 PLN per month. Smaller apartments or those in less central areas can be even cheaper.
Transportation - cheap flights and even cheaper buses
Traveling around Vietnam is very convenient and relatively inexpensive. Almost every major city has an airport, which is important because the country is very long. If you want to travel from north to south, flying is usually the most convenient option. Vietnam also has a well-functioning railway network, allowing you to travel along the coast and see the country from a different perspective. Another very popular option is the famous sleeper buses, which have become quite viral among travelers. These buses allow you to travel overnight and save both time and accommodation costs. They are surprisingly comfortable, as long as you choose a good transport company. However, for routes in the far north - where roads are very winding but also incredibly scenic, it’s often better to travel during the day so you can enjoy the views. If you plan to take a sleeper bus and you don’t handle long bus rides well, it’s better to choose a lower bed, as it moves less during the journey. In Vietnam, it’s usually best to book transportation at least a day in advance, for example through the website 12go.asia.
It’s also worth remembering that bus stations in Vietnam often look very different from large European bus terminals. Many buses depart from small private offices or directly from the street, near the company’s office. Always check the exact location on the map. When booking online, you usually receive coordinates or a map link showing exactly where your bus or minivan will depart.
If you click on the photo on the right (or below on mobile), you can see what a night train journey in Vietnam looks like.
Taxis in Vietnam are also very affordable. A short ride with GrabBike (motorbike taxi) usually costs from 20 000 VND. A car ride costs only a little more. For example, a trip from Hanoi airport to the Old Quarter typically costs around 300 000 – 340 000 VND, while a ride from Ho Chi Minh City airport to the center costs roughly 100 000 – 130 000 VND.
Attractions - how much do the most popular attractions cost?
Water Puppet Theatre - from 100 000 VND
Temples, pagodas, and museums - many are free, while others charge an entrance fee between 20 000 and 70 000 VND
Ba Na Hills (Golden Bridge) - approximately 80 - 250 PLN, depending on the attractions included in the ticket
Entrance to the Imperial Citadel in Hue - 200 000 VND
Coconut basket boats in Coconut Village (Hoi An) – from around 50 PLN for 2 people
Scooter rental - 120 000 - 250 000 VND per day.
Ha Long Bay cruise - 700 000–2 500 000 VND. Prices depend on the program, length of the tour, and the quality of the tour operator, so it’s always worth checking reviews before booking. You’ll find both day trips and multi-day cruises with an overnight stay on the boat.
Summary - how much does a trip to Vietnam cost?
Backpacker budget - 100 - 180 PLN per day
Mid-range budget (comfortable travel) - 200 - 400 PLN per day
Very comfortable / luxury travel - from 450 PLN per day and up
Prices in Vietnam are very attractive overall, although they can be higher in popular tourist destinations. If you want to travel more cheaply, try visiting less touristy places and eat where locals eat. It’s also a good idea to plan your trip in advance so you can include worthwhile attractions and experiences in your budget.
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