How much does a meal cost in Da Nang?

How much does a full meal cost in Vietnam?

Hanoi, ’23. Sweltering. Lunch near Hoan Kiem Lake. Tiny place. Plastic stools. Amazing bun cha. 30,000 VND. Less than $2. Ridiculous.

Hoi An. Same trip. Fancy pants dinner. Riverfront. White tablecloths. Cao lầu and spring rolls. Probably 200,000 VND. Still cheap. So good though. Worth it.

• Street food: 20,000 – 70,000 VND. Pho, banh mi, com tam.
• Mid-range: 100,000 – 250,000 VND. More elaborate dishes. Nicer places.
• Beer. Saigon, Bia Hanoi. Dirt cheap. Maybe 15,000 VND.

Crazy how far your money goes. Ate like royalty. Spent next to nothing. Miss it. Definitely going back. Next year. Maybe Da Nang.

Is Da Nang cheaper than Ho Chi Minh?

Man, Da Nang was way cheaper. I was there in July 2023. Seriously, the food? Amazing and dirt cheap. A massive bowl of Bun Cha Ca for, like, $2. Two bucks! In Ho Chi Minh City, that would have been double, at least.

My hotel, a little guesthouse near the beach, cost me $15 a night. Clean, nothing fancy, but perfectly fine. Ho Chi Minh? Forget it. I checked prices online; similar places were easily twice the price. My friend went there last month; he spent a fortune.

Transportation? Scooters everywhere in Da Nang. Easy to rent, super affordable. Getting around was a breeze. Ho Chi Minh City felt cramped and chaotic, and taxis were pricey.

Da Nang wins hands down on cost. I mean, honestly, the difference is huge. I saved so much money, it was unbelievable. I could eat out every meal, drink fresh coconuts daily, and still have cash left over for souvenirs. My wallet felt much lighter after my Ho Chi Minh trip. That city is expensive.

Rent? Forget it. Way cheaper in Da Nang. My friend’s apartment in district 1, HCMC? A small place, too. He said it cost him an arm and a leg.

• Da Nang food: incredibly cheap.
• Da Nang accommodation: budget-friendly guesthouses everywhere.
• Da Nang transport: scooters rule. Affordable and convenient.
• Ho Chi Minh City: significantly more expensive across the board.

Is 3 days enough for Da Nang?

Three days? Insufficient. Da Nang demands more.

• Beaches: Short time. Expect fleeting sun.
• Leisure: World-class? Overstatement. Some options exist.
• Heritage: Superficial exploration only. My own trip in 2023 felt rushed.
• Cuisine: Sampling, not savoring.

Da Nang’s charm eludes the hurried traveler. Three days? A mere taste. You need a week. Maybe two. Life’s too short for rushed experiences, right? Especially if it’s a trip to Da Nang, which it was for me. Remember to pack light but smartly. Sunscreen is essential, even on cloudy days. My experience taught me that.

Son Tra Peninsula: Worth more than a day trip. I underestimated this.

Marble Mountains: Overrated. Tourist trap vibe.

My Khe Beach: Beautiful. Crowded.

Food: Fresh seafood abounds. But find local places, avoid touristy spots. A lesson learned.

Ultimately, insufficient time equals superficial experience. Planning is key. Three days is a disservice to Da Nang. It felt like it to me at least. Do better.

How much money should I take to Vietnam for a week?

Ugh, Vietnam. I went last year, July 2023. Needed way more cash than I thought. I budgeted $700 for ten days in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. Stupid, I know. I ran out of money by day six. Seriously.

My mistake? Underestimating food costs. Street food’s cheap, yeah, but I wanted fancier meals sometimes. Plus, those amazing fruit shakes? Addictive. And expensive if you have one every day. Also those gorgeous silk scarves… I bought way too many.

The other big hit? Unexpected travel costs. A sudden bus strike left me paying double for a taxi to the airport. That sucked.

Here’s what I learned:

• Budget $100/day minimum in major cities. That’s realistic. This covers decent food, some nicer experiences, transport.
• Bring at least half in cash. ATMs are okay, but not everywhere. Smaller towns? Forget it. Cash is king. US dollars are accepted, but Vietnamese Dong is better.
• Credit cards are hit or miss. Some places take them. Many don’t. Don’t rely on them.
• Factor in emergencies. This isn’t just about medical stuff. It’s about unexpected expenses like my bus strike fiasco.

For five days in Hanoi? At least $500. Three weeks in Vietnam? Minimum $1500. Don’t skimp. Believe me. I wish I had. I was stressed out. You don’t want that. Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive than Hanoi; budget accordingly. More like $120 a day minimum.

How much money do I need per day in Vietnam?

Hanoi, March 2023. Sticky heat. Scooters everywhere. $3 banh mi. Delicious. Felt rich. Hostel dorm, $8. Decent. Halong Bay trip, splurged, $40. Worth it. Crazy beautiful. Hoi An, tailored suit, $60. Bargained hard. Phở every morning, $2. Addicted. Beer, cheap. Bia Hoi, sometimes 50 cents. Nights out, easy $20. Felt like a king. Some days less than $50, some days more. Definitely doable. Sapa trekking, more expensive. Night bus, uncomfortable, $15. But views… unforgettable. Food up north, also amazing. Different flavors. Loved it.

• $50 a day is good. Comfortable, even.
• Hostel dorms = cheaper.
• Street food = delicious + cheap.
• Beer = ridiculously cheap.
• Tours/activities add up. Budget for those.
• Northern Vietnam, buses = main transport.
• Bargaining is expected. Don’t be shy. Especially markets.
• ATMs everywhere. Easy to get cash. Dong is confusing, though. Lots of zeros.

My friend, different travel style. Fancy hotels. Spent way more. Probably $150 a day, minimum. Crazy. But he liked it. Me? Happy with my $50. More money for more trips later. Who needs a fancy hotel when you can have another banh mi?