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Page updated on July 29, 2026 · Verified by 2 experts
🇻🇳 Practical: Vietnam

Vietnam budget 2026: how much does a trip cost per day

Plan 30 to 90 € per day in Vietnam depending on your travel style. Breakdown of accommodation, food, transport and activities for a realistic 2026 budget.

Direct answer

Direct answer

  • ✓ Backpacker: 25-35 €/day (dorms, street food, local buses)
  • ✓ Comfort: 45-70 €/day (3-star hotels, restaurants, a few activities)
  • ✓ High-end: 90 €+/day (4-5 star hotels, private guides, domestic flights)
  • ✓ Street food stays the best value, often 1.50 to 3 €

Vietnam remains one of the cheapest Southeast Asian destinations, ahead of Thailand on many items.

The essentials in 30 seconds

  • 1

    A very accessible destination

    Vietnam ranks among the cheapest Southeast Asian countries to visit, including for a comfortable trip.

  • 2

    Accommodation, the most flexible line item

    From a 6-8 € dorm bed to a 60-90 € 4-star hotel, the budget gap plays out mostly on lodging.

  • 3

    Unbeatable street food

    A bowl of pho or bun cha usually costs 1.50 to 3 €, plenty to eat well every day.

  • 4

    Domestic flights, a line item to plan for

    On a North-South circuit, domestic flights (Hanoi-Da Nang-Ho Chi Minh City) often cost less than the train and save precious time.

  • 5

    Activities vary hugely by choice

    A Ha Long Bay boat trip can cost 15 € as a group tour or 150 € as a private luxury cruise, a considerable gap depending on the format chosen.

Daily budget by travel style

Estimate per person, excluding international flight.

ItemBackpackerComfortHigh-end
Accommodation 6-12 € 25-45 € 60-150 €
Food 6-10 € 12-20 € 25-50 €
Local transport 3-6 € 6-12 € 15-30 €
Activities 3-8 € 10-20 € 30-60 €
Total / day 25-35 € 45-70 € 90 €+

Vietnam budget 2026: how much does a trip cost per day

Vietnam remains one of the most affordable destinations in Southeast Asia, with a daily budget ranging from 25 € backpacker style to over 90 € high-end. Here’s the item-by-item breakdown to build a realistic budget for your travel style.

Three travel styles, three budgets

Backpacker (25-35 €/day)

Dorms or simple guesthouses (6-12 €/night), street food as the default (6-10 €/day), local buses and standard-class trains, free or low-cost activities (walking, public beaches, markets). This style suits Vietnam perfectly, a country where basic comfort stays plenty even at the lowest rates.

Comfort (45-70 €/day)

3-star or boutique hotels (25-45 €/night), a mix of local and tourist restaurants (12-20 €/day), a few domestic flights to save time, occasional organized activities (Ha Long Bay excursion, cooking class, guided tour). The most common style for a first trip to Vietnam.

High-end (90 €+/day)

4-5 star hotels or resorts (60-150 €/night), fine-dining restaurants and wine bars, domestic flights as the default, private guide and exclusive excursions (private Ha Long Bay cruise, high-end culinary experience). Vietnam stays competitive even at this tier compared to other premium destinations.

Breakdown by spending category

Accommodation

The most flexible line item in a Vietnam budget. A hostel dorm bed costs 6-12 €/night, a double room in a guesthouse 15-25 €, a 3-star hotel 25-45 €, and a 4-5 star hotel or resort 60-150 € depending on the city and season. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City run slightly higher than Hoi An or Hue.

Food

The value for money of Vietnamese street food stays exceptional: a bowl of pho or bun cha costs 1.50 to 3 €, a banh mi 1 to 2 €. A meal at a tourist restaurant runs 5-10 €, and a high-end fine-dining meal can reach 20-40 €. Eating local day to day cuts this line item sharply without sacrificing quality.

Transport

Short in-city trips (Grab taxi, xe om) cost 1-3 € depending on distance. Long-distance buses stay very affordable (5-15 € for a multi-hour trip), night trains a bit pricier but comfortable (15-30 € for a sleeper berth), and domestic flights often competitive (25-50 € on the main Hanoi-Da Nang-Ho Chi Minh City routes) if booked ahead.

Activities

Temple and pagoda visits often stay free or nominally priced (1-3 €). A group Ha Long Bay excursion costs 15-30 €, a private luxury version can run 100-150 €. A cooking class usually falls between 15 and 30 €.

The typical 2-week budget

For a classic 2-week circuit (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue or Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City), excluding the international flight:

  • Backpacker: roughly 350-500 €
  • Comfort: roughly 630-980 €
  • High-end: 1,260 € and up

Add to these amounts the visa (25 USD for the e-visa) and travel insurance.

Other practical info Vietnam

Page written by Marie L., Southeast Asia specialist, editor-in-chief of L’Heure du Voyage. 12 years of experience, regular stays in Vietnam since 2016. Updated: July 29, 2026. Verified by 2 experts.

Sources

🌏

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

Official traveler resources

FAQ

What budget should you plan for 2 weeks in Vietnam? +
For 2 weeks, plan roughly 350 to 500 € backpacker style, 630 to 980 € comfort style, and 1,260 € or more high-end, excluding the international flight. These amounts don't include the visa and travel insurance.
Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand? +
Yes, generally, particularly on accommodation and local transport. Street food stays comparable between the two countries, but Vietnam often offers slightly lower rates on mid-range hotels.
How much does a meal cost in Vietnam? +
A street meal (pho, bun cha, banh mi) usually costs between 1.50 and 3 €. A meal at a tourist restaurant runs 5-10 €, and a fine-dining meal at a high-end establishment can reach 20-40 €.
Should you fly or take the train to get around Vietnam? +
On a full North-South circuit, flying is often more time-efficient and comparable in price to a night train for long distances (Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City). The train stays pleasant on shorter routes (Hanoi-Sa Pa, Hue-Da Nang) with remarkable scenery.
What offers the best value in Vietnam? +
Street food stays unbeatable value, often better than pricier restaurants. Mid-range accommodation (25-45 €/night) also delivers excellent comfort for a modest budget.
Should tipping be part of the budget to plan? +
It isn't mandatory but stays appreciated, particularly for guides and drivers on an organized tour. Plan a small budget of 1-2 € per day per provider if you'd like to leave one.

Marie Laurent

Verified author

Southeast Asia specialist · 12 years experience.

🔄 Updated: July 29, 2026 · ✓ Verified by 2 experts
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