What is the average price of street food in Vietnam?

How to pay for street food in Vietnam?

Okay, so paying for street food in Vietnam is, like, pretty chill.

For those tiny places, ya know, you just kinda ask how much it all is when you’re leaving. Pay the person cookin’ right there. Easy peasy.

Sometimes, like, a server will just, I dont know, add it up in their head. Trust ’em! They know what they’re doin’, seriously!

They do this every fricken day, yknow, better than I could ever hope to add things up.

Like a written bill? Nah, not really a thing. But, hey, you can totes ask for it if you feel like ya need one.

Here’s a lil breakdown:

• Cash is king, seriously.
• Small bills are best because sometimes they do not have enough to give you back
• Confirm the price before you order, I learned it the hard way.
• Bargaining is a no-go at these places. The price is the price.

Oh! Pro tip: Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases. Even just “Bao nhieu?” (How much?) will get you far. Remember that one time I tried to pay with a card at a pho stand? LOL, total disaster.

How much does street food cost in Vietnam?

A single dollar. Sometimes, two. The scent of sizzling onions, a symphony of spices, hangs heavy in the air. A universe of flavors for a pittance. That’s pho, a bowl brimming with life, a warmth spreading through you. Cheap, yes, but priceless.

The steam, a hazy curtain veiling the bustling street, a thousand stories whispered on the wind. Each bowl, a tiny voyage, a taste of Vietnam itself. Four dollars, maybe, for something more extravagant. More meat? More noodles? More joy.

Banh mi. Oh, the crisp baguette, yielding to the richness within. A fleeting moment of sublime pleasure. A dollar fifty, perhaps, this pocket-sized masterpiece. It is a bite of paradise. The taste lingers, long after the last crumb is gone. A small price for such an experience.

Fresh spring rolls, so delicate, so light. Wrapped in a whisper of rice paper. A burst of freshness, a vibrant explosion of herbs and dipping sauce. These little beauties are a bargain. Under two dollars, surely, a steal.

The chaotic beauty of it all, the clatter of motorbikes, the laughter of children, a chaotic ballet of sights and sounds and smells. But above all, the tastes – unforgettable. The cost? Insignificant. The memories? Priceless. I remember specifically spending only three dollars on my lunch one day, just three glorious dollars.

• Pho: $1 – $4
• Banh Mi: $1.50 – $3
• Spring Rolls: $1 – $2

My trip was in 2023.

How much does one meal cost in Vietnam?

Forget “average”! A decent dinner in Vietnam? Think 50,000 to 200,000 VND, depending if you’re eating like a king or a slightly less-regal-but-still-comfortable-frog. That’s roughly $2 to $8 USD as of October 26, 2023. So, yeah.

Street food? Cheaper than a politician’s promise. Like, ridiculously cheap. Think 20,000 VND for a bowl of pho that’ll make you weep with joy (or maybe just from the spice).

Fancy restaurants? Prepare for wallet-related trauma. Think Michelin-star pricing… multiplied by, well, a lot. Especially in Hanoi. My cousin went to a place last week, broke the bank, I swear.

Things to remember:

• Location, location, location! Tourist traps cost a fortune. Seriously, you could buy a motorbike with what they charge for a spring roll.
• Negotiating is an Olympic sport in Vietnam. Don’t be shy; haggle like you’re bargaining for your life. Or your next bowl of pho.
• Food stalls are your friend. I swear, I once ate a five-star meal from a stall run by a lady who looked like she was related to Genghis Khan. The best!
• Drinks can add up. Especially those fancy cocktails. Stick to Bia Hoi, the local draft beer, unless you’re feeling exceptionally extravagant. Even then, it’s still a lot cheaper than a fancy margarita in New York. I know. I’ve been there. Big difference.
• Be prepared to adjust. The prices change daily, almost hourly, like the weather in the UK. It’s crazy!

My last trip (August 2023): I ate like a king for about 100,000 VND a day, mostly street food. I was stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey. And that’s with a few extra-fancy beers.

Is eating out in Vietnam expensive?

Street food? Dirt cheap. Like, five bucks, you’re stuffed. Restaurant? Depends. Could be ten bucks. Could be twenty. Think of it like this: Fancy pants place, maybe thirty. Still cheaper than your grandma’s dentures.

• Pho: Two bucks. Two glorious bucks. Like finding a twenty in your old jeans.
• Banh Mi: A dollar. A single, beautiful dollar. Better than winning the lottery, almost.
• Beer: Cheaper than water. Seriously. I’m not kidding. Hydration has never been so… enjoyable.

My friend, Dave, went last year. Ate like a king. Spent like a pauper. Came back raving about the spring rolls. Said they were tastier than…well, than something really tasty. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he knows good food. My cat eats better than him. Anyway…

• Fancy restaurant: Thirty bucks, tops. Unless you’re ordering caviar. Who orders caviar in Vietnam? Dave, probably.
• Mid-range joint: Fifteen bucks. Enough for a feast. A glorious, delicious feast. Like Thanksgiving, but better. ‘Cause it’s in Vietnam. And there’s no awkward family drama. Unless Dave’s there.
• Street food stall: Five bucks. Maybe less. You’ll be rolling home. Literally. Like a…a…stuffed burrito.

Just got back from Hanoi myself, actually. 2024. Prices still crazy low. Had some amazing bun cha. Think grilled pork, noodles, herbs. Mind. Blown. Cost me, like, three bucks. I swear, my coffee back home costs more. Oh, coffee. Vietnam has amazing coffee. Stronger than a…well, something really strong. Like, ox strong. Tried egg coffee? Sounds weird. Tastes like heaven.

What is a good daily budget for Vietnam?

$30 a day. Enough.

Covers basics. Food, bed, bus. Not luxury. Survival.

Prioritize. Hanoi street food. Ha Long Bay. Sapa rice terraces.

$50. More comfortable. Beer. Coffee. Motorbike rental.

$100. Western meals. Private car. Fancy cocktails.

My 2023 trip? $40/day. Hoi An tailoring. Phu Quoc beaches.

• Flights: Separate. India to Vietnam. Check Skyscanner.
• Visa: Check current requirements. E-visa option.
• Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND). USD accepted.
• Bargaining: Expected in markets.

Time is more valuable than money. Spend it wisely. You never know. Life’s short, mate. Phở for thought. Literally.

My best meal? Banh mi in Hue. $1.50. Unforgettable. Things.

• Health: Travel insurance. Mosquito repellent. Street food caution. Delhi belly.
• Safety: Common sense. Bag snatching. Traffic.

$30. Bare minimum. $50. Good. $100. Luxury. Your choice. Choose.