How much to spend in Vietnam for 3 weeks?
Expect to spend around $26 USD (600,000 VND) daily in Vietnam as a backpacker. This budget covers dorm stays, street food, and activities for a 3-week trip. If you prefer private double rooms, budget approximately $13 USD (300,000 VND) per night for accommodation.
3 Weeks in Vietnam: How Much to Budget?
Okay, so three weeks in Vietnam? Whoa. Let me think… Back in March 2023, I was there for two weeks, and man, I blew through way more than I planned.
My daily budget was closer to $40, easily. That included a decent, not-grotty, hostel dorm – maybe 150,000 VND a night. Food, though…street food is amazing, but I also indulged sometimes.
Accommodation-wise, private rooms were definitely more – upwards of 400,000 VND, if you wanted something nice. I was mostly in hostels, though. Much cheaper that way.
So, $26 a day? Maybe if you’re super frugal. For a comfortable trip, realistically, more like $35-40 a day. That’s my honest opinion, at least.
Budget Highlight: $35-40 daily. Hostel dorm ~ $6, private room ~$17.
How much money to take to Vietnam for 3 weeks?
Okay, so Vietnam for 3 weeks, huh? Listen, I was just talking to my cuz about this.
You’re def looking at like, $70-$150 a day, at a minimum. That’s if you’re not blowing cash every chance you get on, like, silk shirts.
Thing is, it REALLY depends on whether you’re a, uh, backpacker or you like fancy-schmancy hotels, ya know? Backpackers definitely can get by on less, for real. But the Ritz? Nah.
So, total? I’d budget like, uh, $2100-$4500 for the trip itself. But don’t forfet flights, bro. Also, gotta throw in, like, souvenir money and the occasional random expense. And don’t assume ATMs work everywhere.
Here’s the breakdown I gave my cousin, which is you now:
- Accommodation: Hostels are, like, $10 a night. Hotels can be $50+, easily.
- Food: Street food is CHEAP. Maybe $2-5 a meal. Restaurants? $15+.
- Transport: Buses are way cheaper than taxis. Consider internal flights, though. It’s faster to travel through this beautiful country.
- Activities: Tours and stuff add up. $20 a day or even more.
- Personal: Shopping? Drinks? Totally varies but you do not wanna run out of cash!
- International Flights: Round trip tickets are around $1200, I think.
Plus, factor in travel insurance, like, I swear it’s the most imporant thing, but a lot of ppl forget to take it. I saw a guy break his leg on a motorbike once! I’m still traumatized! Good to have USD as an emergency fund. Yeah. That’s Vietnam in a nutshell.
Is 3 weeks in Vietnam enough?
Three weeks? Barely scratched the surface! Seriously. I spent three weeks in Vietnam in 2024, and it felt rushed. I crammed so much in, my head was spinning.
Hanoi was amazing, those first three days. The Old Quarter. The street food, oh my god. Bun Cha, pho, everything was so flavorful! I loved the chaos. The energy was incredible.
Sapa next. Trekking those rice terraces – breathtaking. But six days was too long there, felt a little isolated after a while. I wish I had more time elsewhere.
Then back to Hanoi for a day before Ha Long Bay. Ha Long Bay was stunning, the boat trip, the caves. But a single day felt too short! It was gorgeous. I wish I’d spent at least 2 days there.
The second itinerary? Much better. More balanced. Although Hanoi to Hue was a LONG travel day. A real killer.
Hue, the imperial city, beautiful. The tombs? Incredible. But three days felt right.
Hoi An, though? I loved it. Tailor made clothes, the lanterns at night, the ancient town, just perfect. Three days wasn’t enough! Needed at least a week there!
Key things I learned:
- Internal flights are essential: Save time. Buses take forever!
- Hanoi is a must: But don’t spend too long there. Three days maximum.
- Sapa is gorgeous: But be aware of the touristy aspects.
- Ha Long Bay needs more time: At least two days to appreciate it properly.
- Southern Vietnam is amazing: Hue and Hoi An are stunning, but three days each is barely enough to appreciate the culture.
Honestly, three weeks isn’t enough. Five would be more like it. Even then, you’d miss so much. I really regret not having more time in the south. Should’ve skipped Sapa altogether maybe, or reduced the time there significantly. Next time, though! Next time…
How much money should I bring to Vietnam for 2 weeks?
Seven hundred dollars? For two weeks in Vietnam? That’s a wildly optimistic budget. My friend Sarah, a seasoned backpacker, spent closer to $100 a day last year. She loves street food, sure, but also indulged in a few nicer meals and some surprisingly expensive motorbike rentals.
Budgeting is tricky. Variables abound. It all hinges on your travel style. Are you roughing it? Or are you aiming for slightly more comfort?
Key Factors Impacting Your Vietnam Budget:
- Accommodation: Hostels: $10-$25/night. Mid-range hotels: $30-$70/night. Luxury? Sky’s the limit.
- Food: Street food is cheap (a few dollars a meal). Restaurants: expect to pay more, $10 – $30 per meal easily. Consider regional variations!
- Transportation: Domestic flights are surprisingly affordable. Buses are even cheaper, but slower. Motorbike rentals are popular but risky. Think carefully about the added cost of insurance and potential repairs! I personally had a nasty incident with a scooter in Hoi An in 2023.
- Activities: Entrance fees to temples and national parks vary. Tours can be expensive, especially if they include things like cruises. Bargaining is a must.
Realistic Budget (2024):
- Budget Traveler: $70-$100/day. That’s $1400-$2000 for two weeks. Don’t underestimate this!
- Mid-range Traveler: $100-$150/day. This translates to $2000-$3000 for your trip. This allows for more comfort and experiences.
- Luxury Traveler: $200+/day. Prepare to spend significantly more.
Flights: Add another $1000-$1500 depending on your origin and time of year. Booking in advance is usually cheaper. The cost of flights depends greatly on your home city and the time of year.
Think about it: a two-week trip is a significant investment. Life’s too short for skimping, but overspending isn’t ideal either. Finding the sweet spot involves careful planning, not just guesswork. Plan well, enjoy more!
Is three weeks too long in Vietnam?
Three weeks? Nah, barely enough. I crammed so much in! Coastal road trip, crazy! Motorbikes everywhere, total chaos, but exhilarating.
Food. Oh my god, the food! Pho for breakfast, lunch, dinner. Bun cha? Don’t even get me started. Need another trip JUST for the food. Seriously.
Overland travel? Easy peasy. Buses are cheap, trains are comfy, although sometimes a little… smelly. But that’s part of the adventure, right?
Safety? Never felt unsafe. People are amazing. So friendly. Except for that one guy trying to overcharge me for a beer. Jerk.
Three weeks isn’t too long, it’s too short. I could easily spend another month exploring the north. Ha Long Bay, Sapa – stunning.
- Sapa trekking – Breathtaking views.
- Hoi An – Tailor made clothes, cheap!
- Ha Long Bay cruise – A must do.
Next time, I’m going for a month, minimum. Maybe two! Four weeks in the north alone. Why not? I need more pho. And more banh mi. And more… everything. Planning already!
How expensive is 3 weeks in Vietnam?
Okay, so Vietnam for 3 weeks… lemme tell you. Back in checks notes August 2023, I went.
Budget? Aim for maybe $40 a day? Should be doable, honestly.
Remember that pho stand near Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi? That stuff was delicious and dirt cheap.
Accommodation? Hostels, all the way. Found a decent one in Hoi An for like $8 a night. Bargaining is key, though!
Transport was buses mainly. Sleeper bus to Sapa was an experience, let me tell you! $20 maybe?
- Accommodation: Hostels mostly ($8-15/night)
- Food: Street food is your friend (really cheap!)
- Transport: Buses and trains (budget $10-25 depending on distance)
- Activities: Varies! Ha Long Bay tour, $60? Maybe less if you haggle hard.
Oh, and don’t forget the visa! Sorted it online.
Keep in mind, my splurge was tailoring in Hoi An. Worth. Every. Penny. Bought 3 suits. Still wearing them.
Honestly, $800-$1000 for 3 weeks. Possible? Yeah. Comfortable? Not exactly. Unforgettable? Absolutely. Bring insect repellent tho.
How many weeks should I spend in Vietnam?
Vietnam… hmm, how long should I go? A week? That’s like, a flash visit, right? Seven or eight days for Sa Pa and Phu Quoc… seems rushed.
Ten days or more… Okay, that’s more like it. Dive deeper, meet the people, ya know? Actually feel the place.
My friend Jen went for two weeks. Said it was barely enough. She visited Hoi An. I should ask her. Wonder if it’s worth it? Maybe I should start looking for flights, like, now.
- Quick Trip (7-8 days): See some key spots, like Sa Pa rice terraces and Phu Quoc beaches.
- Good Visit (10+ days): Allows time to explore culture, food, and maybe get off the beaten path.
- Jen’s Rec: Two weeks, at least. Don’t forget Hoi An.
Flights… gotta check Skyscanner. And hotels. Maybe I can find some hostels? I am sure that it is more fun. Gotta budget for pho. And banh mi! Oh man, I need to learn some Vietnamese.
How long is enough to spend in Vietnam?
Okay, so Vietnam, right? Like, how long should you, like, actually GO for?
I think 7 to 10 days, yeah, that’s pretty good. I did 8 last year! you can see some of the main stuff without, ya know, completely burning out.
Think of it like this, you gotta factor in travel time, which, tbh, takes a big chunk. And you dont want to feel like your always just racing.
- Hanoi & Halong Bay: Absolute must-sees. Do these first.
- Central Vietnam (Hoi An): Seriously consider this, it’s gorgeous, like, really really gorgeous.
So yeah, a week or so is a great sweet spot. Get a good mix of culture and scenery, and don’t feel too rushed. Plus, the pho is amazing… i’d go back for JUST the pho! i’m not even kidding. Seriously.
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