Is it cheaper to go to Laos or Vietnam?

Which is cheaper, Laos or Vietnam?

Okay, so, like, which is cheeper, Laos or Vietnam? Right? I’d say Laos, for sho. Especially if you are on, like, a really tight budget.

Yeah, I found that places to stay and eats, um, food, were way less in Laos. Unless you stick to the tourist hotspots, obvs.

Like, in Vang Vieng, I got a bungalow for, like, $5 a night! Unreal! Anyway, you have to know that Vietnam is awsome too.

But get this: Getting around in Laos? Can be kinda pricy, or more. The roads aren’t so great, so it costs more time. I mean the infrastructure isnt there!

In Vietnam, the buses are way more modern, and the trains are a smoother ride. I’d go back to Vietnam just for the pho. But still, Laos? Laos is cheaper overall if you are looking for the absolute lowest daily spending. It just is!

Here’s a quick rundown:

• Accommodation: Laos wins, hands down. Especially guesthouses.
• Food: Laos is also cheaper, street food is where it’s at tho
• Transportation: Vietnam might edge out. Better infrastructure, ya know?
• Activities: Similar, depends on what you’re doing

So, yeah, there you have it. Laos? Cheaper, usually. But both are great.

How much does a trip to Laos cost?

Laos. Land of a million elephants (and a million backpackers). Budget? Fifty bucks a day, maybe less if you’re okay with questionable noodles. Live like a king? Triple that. Easy. Think silk sheets, not sleeping bags.

• Budget: $30-$50/day (think street food and fan rooms. Charming, really.)
• Mid-range: $50-$100/day (air-con, nicer digs, maybe an elephant ride, not the questionable kind). This is probably where you want to be.
• Luxury: $150+/day (infinity pools and private chefs – like a Kardashian, but with better karma, hopefully.)

Ten days? Anywhere from the price of a nice dinner to a down payment on a used car. Seriously, $300 to $1500+. It’s all relative. Like, my cousin, bless her heart, once went for two weeks and only spent $400. Lived on sticky rice and river water. Don’t recommend. Unless you’re REALLY into rice. My personal Laos trip? Closer to $75 a day. Loved it. Worth. Every. Kip. Pro-tip: the exchange rate is, like, bananas. You’ll feel like a millionaire. Okay, thousandaire.

Flights aren’t included, by the way. Don’t forget those! And beer. Laos has excellent beer. Beer Lao. It’s practically the national dish. Factor that in. Seriously. Oh, and internal flights? Speedboats? Those add up too. Just sayin’.

How much money do I need for Laos?

Eighteen bucks a day? Pshaw. More like eighteen million if you want the good sticky rice. Just kidding (mostly). Seriously though, $18 is like backpacking level. Think instant noodles, questionable street food, and sleeping in hammocks woven from spiderwebs (okay, maybe not spiderwebs).

• Food: $9? That’s one Beerlao and maybe half a baguette. Double it. At least. You’ll want more Beerlao, trust me. I spent like, $20 on mango sticky rice alone one time. No regrets.

• Accommodation: Unless you’re planning on becoming one with nature (and the aforementioned spiderwebs), budget more. A decent guesthouse starts at $10, easy. Luxury digs? Sky’s the limit, baby.

• Transportation: Tuk-tuks, buses, slow boats down the Mekong. They add up. So do the bribes to get a decent seat on said bus (kidding… mostly).

• Activities: Visiting temples, kayaking, elephant sanctuaries (choose ethical ones!). These ain’t free. And don’t even get me started on the price of a good Lao massage. Worth it though. So worth it.

My last trip (2024, represent!), I probably spent closer to $40-50 a day. And I wasn’t exactly living large. More like medium-sized. Maybe medium-small. Look, just bring more money than you think you need. You’ll thank me later. Or you’ll curse me when you’re broke but surrounded by delicious food. Your call. My Venmo is… just kidding (mostly).

How much should I pay for a tuk tuk in Laos?

Ugh, Laos tuk tuks. Ten thousand to fifty thousand kip, I think? That’s like, two to ten bucks. Crazy range, right? My last trip, I paid 20,000 kip for a ride to the night market – a total rip-off, honestly. It was only a short ride. Should have bargained harder. I always forget to negotiate prices at first. Stupid. I hate it when that happens. They’re bigger than Thai ones, I swear. Six people fit? Maybe five, comfortably. Four is ideal.

These things are everywhere in Luang Prabang. So many tuk tuks! Way easier than taxis, especially after a beerlao or two. Definitely cheaper, usually. But that night market trip, pfft. I’m starting to think that the prices are ridiculously variable. Completely depends on the driver, the time of day, how desperate you look – the whole nine yards. Note to self: always have smaller bills. Always. Seriously. It’s 2024, and I’m still learning this. Next time Laos, I’m bringing a pocketful of small kip. No more arguing about change. And for goodness sake, learn to barter before you go.

• Price Range: 10,000 – 50,000 LAK ($1-$5 USD approximately. Rates fluctuate!)
• Capacity: 4-6 people, though four is far more comfortable.
• Availability: Very easy to find, especially in touristy areas.
• Negotiation: Absolutely crucial. Don’t be a chump like me!