Backpacking Vietnam: How Much Budget for Vietnam Trip?

Can you travel Vietnam with $25/day? Yes, but should you? That question sparks endless debate among backpackers. Vietnam is famous for being a budget-friendly destination, but let’s be real—how much budget for Vietnam trip is truly needed if you want the best of authentic street food, vibrant cities like Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, and unforgettable adventures in Ha Long Bay?

1. Snapshot Budget: Daily, Weekly & Monthly Cost Estimates (2025)

To answer the golden question—how much budget for Vietnam trip in 2025—let’s start with real-world cost ranges based on updated data and actual traveler reports.

Daily Budget by Travel Style

Weekly & Monthly Breakdown (Solo)

• 1 Week: $175–$245 (budget) / $420–$560 (mid-range)
• 2 Weeks: $350–$490 (budget) / $840–$1,120 (mid-range)
• 1 Month: $750–$1,000 (budget) / $1,800–$2,400 (mid-range)

For couples, expect to spend 30–35% less per person due to shared accommodation costs.

Exchange rate (as of 2025): $1 ≈ 25,700 VND (Vietnamese Dong)

Don't forget, inflation has ticked up modestly in tourist zones. What cost $20/day in 2022 is likely closer to $25–30 in 2025 for the same experience.

2. Accommodation Costs in Vietnam (2025 Update)

Accommodation in Vietnam can swing from $6 dorms to $150 beachfront resorts, depending on your comfort level and location. Here's the breakdown:

Budget-Friendly Options

• Hostels: $6–12 per night for a dorm bed in Hanoi, Hoi An, or Ho Chi Minh City
• Guesthouses/Homestays: $12–25 for a private room (fan or basic AC)

Mid-Range Hotels

• 3-star hotels in Da Nang or Hue: $30–50/night
• Boutique hotels in Hoan Kiem (Hanoi): From $40/night with breakfast included

When to Splurge

• Off-season (May–August): Get 4-star rooms for 30–40% less
• Resort promotions: Phu Quoc and Ha Long Bay often offer 2-night bundles under $150

Booking Tips

Use apps like Agoda, Booking.com, or Hostelworld with filters for:

• “Free Cancellation”
• “Breakfast Included”
• “9+ Ratings for Cleanliness”

Accommodation costs typically account for 35–40% of your Vietnam trip cost, so booking smart saves big.

3. Food & Drink: Eating Your Way Through Vietnam

If you dream of slurping noodle soup in Hanoi or biting into a crispy banh mi by the beach in Nha Trang, this is your playground.

Daily Food Costs

Meal Planning

• Budget traveler: 2 street meals + 1 sit-down = ~$7–9/day
• Foodie backpacker: 3 diverse meals + drink = ~$15–20/day

Street food is not just cheap—it’s cultural immersion!

Look for night markets, back-alley pho stalls, or roadside BBQs for the best flavor-to-cost ratio.

Local Favorites by Region

• Northern Vietnam: Pho Bo, Bun Thang
• Central: Mi Quang, Banh Beo
• Southern: Hu Tieu, Com Tam

4. Transportation Costs & Travel Hacks

Getting around Vietnam is part of the adventure. Whether you’re gliding through rice paddies by sleeper bus or zipping through Ho Chi Minh City on a Grab Bike, transportation in Vietnam is efficient and affordable.

Intercity Transport Costs

Tip: Use Vietjet, Bamboo Airways, or Vietnam Airlines for best coverage.

Local Transport

• Grab Bike/Car: $1–4 for short rides
• Motorbike rental: $5–7/day, $70/month (deposit needed)
• Taxis: $0.70/km (watch the meter!)
• Public Bus: Under $0.50/ride in major cities

Hacks to Save Money

• Use Open Tour Buses to hop from Hanoi → Hue → Hoi An → Da Nang → HCMC
• Rent a motorbike for full freedom in Northern Vietnam
• Use Grab for fixed-price, safer rides

5. Tours, Sightseeing & Entrance Fees

So how much should you expect to spend on sightseeing and adventures? The good news is: Vietnam is packed with low-cost wonders.

Top Activities & Prices

Free & Budget-Friendly Experiences

• Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi (free)
• Walking tours of Old Quarter
• Night markets in Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An
• Sandboarding in Mui Ne (rent board for $2)

Entrance Fees

Most historic or natural sites charge between $1–$8. Combine multiple stops with local tour agencies to cut costs.

6. Sample Backpacker Budgets (With Itineraries!)

Planning your trip and wondering how much budget for Vietnam trip? Let’s break it down with real backpacker itineraries that align with your travel goals, whether it’s a quick dive into Northern Vietnam, a classic north-to-south route, or a slow month-long adventure.

7-Day North Vietnam Trip (Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Sapa)

Expect to spend: $210–$280 (USD)

• Accommodation: $8/night x 6 = $48 (hostels in Hoan Kiem, Tam Coc, and Sapa)
• Food and drink: $10/day = $70 (includes street food, snacks, and local restaurants)
• Transportation in Vietnam:
  • Bus/train: Hanoi → Ninh Binh ($4), Ninh Binh → Sapa via Hanoi ($14), Sapa → Hanoi ($14)
  • Local transfers & Grab: ~$15 total
• Activities & entrance fees: ~$40 (Tam Coc boat ride, rice field treks, temple visits)
• Miscellaneous: SIM card, water, minor shopping: $15

14-Day Vietnam Trip (North to South)

Route: Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Hue → Da Nang → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City
Total budget: $480–$650 (USD)

• Accommodation costs: $10–15/night = ~$180 (mix of dorms and private rooms)
• Food and drink: $12/day = ~$170 (how much does a meal cost in Vietnam? Less than $5 if you go local!)
• Transportation:
  • Sleeper buses or domestic flights: ~$80
  • Local rides (Grab, bus, motorbike rental): $40
• Activities: ~$100 (Imperial City Hue, Golden Bridge, War Remnants Museum, street food tours)

30-Day Slow Travel Budget (Ultimate Freedom!)

Total budget: $700–$1,000 (USD)

• Accommodation: Monthly hostel/homestay deals: ~$250–350
• Food: $8/day = ~$240 (cook, snack, and explore local food markets)
• Transportation in Vietnam: $100–150 (Open Bus Ticket, Grab, train rides)
• Sightseeing & entrance fees: ~$120
• Buffer (sim card, laundry, coffee): $60–$80

This is how you master how much spending money for Vietnam without losing adventure!

7. Real Backpacker Tips to Save Money

Let’s get tactical! These Vietnam travel tips approved hacks help keep your wallet fat and your journey full.

• Stay longer in each city. Weekly rates at homestays or hostels can cut your cost by 20–40%. Plus, it gives you time to truly connect with local culture.
• Eat local, not touristy. That steaming bowl of noodle soup from a street vendor in Da Nang? It’s tastier and costs 1/4 of the same dish in a rooftop restaurant.
• Travel during shoulder seasons: March–April or September–November. Cheaper flights, fewer crowds, and better hostel availability.
• Use travel apps like Grab (for rides), Agoda (for last-minute stays), and XE (to track the Vietnamese dong).
• Learn basic Vietnamese phrases: "Bao nhiêu tiền?" (How much is this?) can literally save you money at markets.

8. Safety, Scams & Budgeting Smart

Now let’s address the elephant in the room: is it safe, and how can you stay sharp?

• Avoid taxi scams. Use Grab or reputable companies (Mai Linh, Vinasun). Always ask “how much?” or demand the meter.
• Watch for fake bills. Familiarize yourself with Vietnamese dong denominations—500,000 VND and 20,000 VND are the same blue color!
• Is Vietnam safe for solo travelers? Yes. It’s among Southeast Asia’s safest. Stick to lit streets, avoid late-night motorbike rentals, and follow local customs.
• Travel insurance: Essential. Expect to pay $40–$60/month for solid coverage (World Nomads, SafetyWing). Medical care is cheap, but accidents on rented scooters aren’t.

Bonus tip: Carry a digital + paper copy of your passport. Hostels, domestic flights, and motorbike rentals may ask for ID.

9. Conclusion

Traveling Vietnam on a budget doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means unlocking more adventures, more authentic meals, and more moments that big tours miss. With this guide, you now know how much budget for Vietnam trip is realistic—whether you're here for 7 days, 30 days, or a one-way adventure.

10. Backpacker FAQs: What Travelers Really Ask

Can you backpack Vietnam for $500/month?

Absolutely—if you're willing to embrace hostel dorms, public transport, and daily street food meals. That’s $16/day! Cut costs further with long-stay discounts and self-cooked meals.

What is the cheapest city to stay in?

Ninh Binh and Can Tho top the list. You’ll find dorms for $5 and full meals for $1.50. Even Sapa can be cheap if you avoid package tours.

Do I need to carry cash or card?

Cash is king in Vietnam. You can swipe at big hotels and some cafes in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, but 90% of food and drink purchases require cash. Use ATMs that waive foreign card fees—like CitiBank or HSBC.

Should I book in advance or wing it?

Book the first 2 nights in each city for peace of mind, then let the adventure guide you. Accommodation costs stay steady, but Ha Long Bay cruises and sleeper buses fill up fast—book a few days ahead.