How much money do you need in Vietnam per day?
Daily costs in Vietnam range from $20 for budget travelers to $50 for mid-range comfort. This covers basic needs like meals, lodging, transport, and some sightseeing. More luxurious experiences will naturally cost more.
Vietnam Budget: How Much Money Per Day?
Okay, here’s my take on the Vietnam budget thing, like, from my trips.
Honestly, Vietnam doesn’t have to break the bank. You can totes do it on $20-$50 USD a day, covering your bed, pho, rides, and fun stuff.
I remember back in July 2018, I was backpacking in Hanoi (good ol’ Vietnam). Stayed in a hostel near Hoan Kiem Lake, costing maybe $6 a night. Bargain, right?
But… it really DEPENDS on how you travel, y’know?
Are you fancy or down-to-earth? I mean, that impacts things hugely. I splurged on a Ha Long Bay cruise (around $150-ish for 2 days, 1 night), which blew my daily budget outta the water. Worth it though!
Food’s cheap if you eat local, that’s a big saver.
Think flavorful banh mi from a street vendor (like $1!) or a big bowl of pho ($2-3). Yummm.
Taxis can add up, but motorbikes are dirt cheap for rent. Just… be careful. Seriously. I saw some tourists in Da Nang with some serious road rash. Yikes.
My biggest tip? Haggle! At markets, in taxis… everywhere, really. You’ll get a better price.
How much does a meal cost in Vietnam?
Vietnam? Cheap eats abound.
- 50,000 VND – 200,000 VND for dinner. Expect it, and don’t whine.
- Local haunts? Wallet-friendly. Tourists trap? Drain.
- Home-cooked? Barely a dent, frankly.
Expect variance, of course. I paid more once. Worth it. Never again.
How much do you spend on food in Vietnam a day?
Pho steam rising. Lost in Hanoi’s alleys. Ten dollars. Maybe fifteen. A universe of flavors. Sweet iced coffee. Strong, dark. One dollar. Two. Hot, sticky air. Another bowl of noodles. Five dollars. Cheap. So cheap. A week. Seventy dollars. One hundred and five. Lost in the flow. Time melts. Hanoi’s heart. Beating. Eating. Again. Noodles. Spring rolls. Fresh herbs. Green. Vibrant. Ten dollars. So much food. Fifteen. A feast. A week in Hanoi. Lost in the rhythm. The taste. The heat. The cost. So little. So much.
- $10-15 per day for food and drinks.
- Street food is incredibly affordable.
- Local specialties can be enjoyed on a budget.
- Small restaurants and street stalls are the best places to eat.
- $70-150 per week is a reasonable budget for food.
- My favorite pho stall is on Hang Dieu, near my hotel, the Hanoi Emerald Waters Hotel & Spa. They have the best broth. Rich, flavorful, unlike anything I’ve had in the states. Their iced coffee, cà phê sữa đá. Perfection. It’s usually less than $2. I went three times last week alone, during my July trip. Hanoi. Always pulls me back.
- Another favorite, bún chả. Grilled pork. Vermicelli noodles. Dipping sauce. Around $5. Just around the corner from Hang Dieu. I can’t remember the exact street name. Small place. Family-run. The grandmother always smiles. I try to practice my Vietnamese. Cảm ơn bà.
- Bold flavors. Hanoi. A culinary dream. Affordable. A week. A lifetime.
Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand for tourists?
Vietnam, man. 2023. I was there for three weeks, backpacking. Absolutely slammed my budget. Thailand? Nah, been there, done that. More expensive, definitely. Way more touristy, too. Crowds everywhere. Vietnam felt… rawer, somehow.
Street food in Hanoi? Five bucks a meal, easily. Delicious, too. Think pho, banh mi… stuff you’ll dream about. In Thailand, similar food, double the price. Seriously. Beer? Cheaper in Vietnam, by a landslide.
- Accommodation: Hostels in Vietnam were ridiculously cheap. Like, $5 a night. Thailand? More like $10-$15 minimum for a decent place.
- Transportation: Buses and motorbikes everywhere in Vietnam. Crazy cheap. I remember one bus ride from Hoi An to Nha Trang— cost me less than a fancy coffee in Bangkok. Thailand’s transport isn’t bad, but it adds up.
- Activities: Entrance fees to temples and stuff were lower in Vietnam, too. The whole vibe was less “tourist trap,” more genuine.
It’s not just the price. It’s the feel. Vietnam felt more authentic, more… alive. Thailand was polished, shiny. Nice, but lacking that rough-around-the-edges charm. Vietnam wins hands down on the price thing. It just…is. No question. I’ll be honest, I felt ripped off in some of the tourist spots in Thailand. Not a good feeling.
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