How expensive is food in Vietnam?

How much money per day for food in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam food. So cheap! Ten to fifteen bucks a day? That’s like, way too much unless you’re, you know, ordering lobster every night. Seriously. My friend Sarah spent eight bucks a day, tops. Eight! She ate pho, banh mi…everything.

$10-$15 a day is tourist prices, I tell ya. Street food is where it’s at. Think:

• Banh Mi: $1-$2
• Pho: $2-$4
• Fresh fruit: $.50-$1
• Street snacks (oh my god, the spring rolls!): $1-$3

She swore by those tiny little roadside stalls. I’m kinda jealous. My trip was way more expensive. Why? I don’t know. Probably my fault. I ate at nicer places.

A week? Seventy to one hundred and five dollars? Nah. Maybe for a really fancy trip. A hundred dollars a week? Ridiculous for regular eating. You could eat like a king for that much. Maybe. I did ok.

This is all 2024 prices, btw. Things could be higher next year. Inflation sucks. I should have saved more. Ugh.

Is it cheap to eat out in Vietnam?

Cheap? Defines affordable. Dinner, 50k-200k VND. Depends.

Home cooking cheaper. Local joints too.

• Budget paradise, they claim. True enough.

• I remember bun cha in Hanoi. Cheap. Almost too cheap. Was good, tho.

Food costs: relative. Consider location. Tourist traps exist. Like everywhere.

• Street food reigns. Plastic chairs mandatory.

• My motorbike cost more than my meals. Priorities. You get it.

Fancy restaurants drain the wallet. Obvious. But sometimes, worth it? Unsure. Maybe. Depends on the company.

How do you pay for food in Vietnam?

Paying for food in Vietnam? Easy.

Cash is king for small stuff. Think pho on the street. Those vendors? It’s cash only, usually.

• Cash is Necessary: Essential for markets, street food, and small shops.
• Credit Cards Accepted: Larger establishments often take Visa, MasterCard, and sometimes Amex.
• ATMs: Readily available in cities for withdrawing Vietnamese Dong.

But, credit cards? Bigger places are cool with Visa, sometimes even Amex. Hotels, touristy restaurants, and the like. It’s not universal, though. Always good to ask first, ya know. Debit cards are also commonly accepted.

• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Tour operators

It’s funny how money changes hands, isn’t it? ATMs are everywhere in cities, spitting out Dong.

Dong, Dong, Dong!

How common are credit cards in Vietnam?

Vietnam’s credit card saturation: High. 140 million cards issued. Two per adult, on average.

Cash is fading. ATM withdrawals plummet.

Key Trends:

• Digital payments surge.
• Virtual cards prevalent.
• My uncle uses three. He’s a businessman.
• Economic growth fuels adoption.

My observations from my last trip in 2024: Ubiquitous card readers. Even street vendors.

Note: Data current as of late 2024. Precise figures fluctuate.

Do most restaurants in Vietnam take credit cards?

No, they don’t, not really. Cash is king, still. Small places, the best places, they definitely don’t.

Big hotels? Upscale joints? Sure. They take plastic. But those aren’t the real Vietnam, are they?

Carry Dong, always. I learned that the hard way that one time in Hoi An. Ugh, that was bad.

Confirming payment isn’t a bad idea. Saved me embarrassment more than once, I can tell you. Just ask first.

• Cash Still Rules: For authentic, local experiences, expect to pay with Vietnamese Dong.
• Tourist Areas Are Different: Larger restaurants and tourist hotspots are more likely to accept credit cards, but don’t rely on it.
• Ask First: Always verify accepted payment methods before ordering to avoid issues.
• Hoi An Horror Story: Personal anecdote of embarrassment due to relying on credit cards where cash was needed, which highlights the importance of carrying Dong.

Can I pay restaurant bill with credit card?

Credit card? Generally, yes. Cash too. Checks? Dying breed.

• Most restaurants accept credit cards. Visa. Mastercard. Amex. Discover. Standard.

• Some are cash only. Period. My dive bar, always cash.

• Paying ahead? Not typical. Unless you’re throwing a party. Then, maybe.

• Tips? Add it to the card slip. Or leave cash. Your call. I usually add 20%.

• Digital payments? Apps are gaining. Not everywhere, tho.

Info.

Credit card acceptance is nearly universal in established US restaurants. Small businesses may have limitations. Debit cards function as credit cards.

Cash-only establishments are rare. Usually small, family-owned places. Or dives.

Payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay are growing. Check before ordering.

Pre-payment is atypical for normal dining. Common for events and catering. Requires agreement.

Tipping norms: 15-20% for adequate service. Higher for exceptional. Lower… well, it’s noted.

Is credit card widely accepted in Vietnam?

Vietnam. Credit cards? Hit or miss.

• Visa works best. Mastercard, less so. Discover? Forget it.

Cash reigns supreme, especially smaller transactions. Street food? Cash only. Period.

Larger establishments? Credit cards usually accepted. But don’t bet the house on it. Always carry cash.

My trip last year? Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City. Same story. My Amex? Useless.

• Hotels: Almost always.
• Restaurants: Varies. High-end, yes. Local eateries? No.
• Shops: Depends. Tourist traps? Yes. Local markets? No way.

Bottom line: Cash is king. Credit cards, a supplementary tool. Don’t rely solely on plastic. Learn from my mistakes.

Prepare for disappointment. And bring Dong. Lots of it.