Last checked: 21 September 2026. Prices are typical ranges in Vietnamese dong (VND), converted at about 26,300 VND to 1 US dollar (August 2026 rate). Check the latest rate before you travel.
Vietnam is one of the few places where the same trip can cost US$30 a day or US$300 a day, and both can feel like a good holiday. What decides your number is not the country, but three choices: where you sleep, how you move between cities, and whether you explore on your own or with a guide.
This guide breaks down a realistic daily budget, the prices of everyday things, and the costs people most often forget.
The short answer: per person, per day, before flights
- Budget: about US$15–50
- Mid-range: about US$60–160
- High-end: from about US$275
For an ordinary day with local meals, short city rides and independent sightseeing, US$35–65 per person is a useful starting point for a comfortable mid-range trip.
Daily budget by travel style
| Per person, per day | Budget | Mid-range | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | US$5–10 | US$15–50 | from US$100 |
| Food and drink | US$5–10 | US$15–30 | from US$35 |
| Getting around the city | US$0–4 | US$5–10 | from US$20 |
| Activities and entry fees | US$5–15 | US$15–40 | from US$60 |
| Souvenirs and extras | US$2–10 | US$10–30 | from US$60 |
| Daily total | US$15–50 | US$60–160 | from US$275 |
The ranges overlap on purpose. A mid-range traveller who eats at street stalls and walks a lot will land near the bottom of that column; one who books spa treatments and hotel dinners will land near the top.
What everyday things cost
| Item | VND | About US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle of water | 5,000 | 0.20 |
| Iced tea at a street stall (trà đá) | 3,000–5,000 | 0.10–0.20 |
| Fresh draught beer (bia hơi) | 10,000–15,000 | 0.40–0.60 |
| Fresh coconut | 15,000–50,000 | 0.60–1.90 |
| Bánh mì | 15,000–35,000 | 0.60–1.30 |
| Bowl of phở, bún bò or broken rice | 35,000–70,000 | 1.30–2.70 |
| Sit-down restaurant meal | from 100,000 | from 4 |
| Public bus ticket | 7,000–9,000 | 0.30–0.35 |
| Taxi, per kilometre | about 15,000 | about 0.60 |
| Motorbike rental, per day | 100,000–150,000 | 4–6 |
| Museum or sight entry | 20,000–100,000 | 0.80–4 |
What a normal day looks like
Here is a realistic independent day in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for one person, travelling mid-range:
- Breakfast of phở at a local shop: about US$2
- Coffee and a snack mid-morning: about US$2–3
- Two museum or temple visits: about US$2–5
- Lunch at a casual restaurant: about US$4–7
- Three short rides with a ride-hailing app: about US$4–8
- Dinner with a drink: about US$8–15
- Hotel share (double room, mid-range): about US$20–35
That comes to roughly US$42–75. Swap the hotel for a guesthouse and eat only at street stalls, and the same day drops below US$25.
Days with an organised tour
Day trips such as Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, the Mekong Delta or the Cu Chi Tunnels change the maths. Shared group day tours commonly cost around US$50–100 per person, and usually include the vehicle, guide, entrance tickets and lunch. Private tours cost more per person, but the gap narrows when three or four people share one car and guide.
Always read the inclusion list. Two tours at the same price can include very different things: one may include a cruise lunch and kayaking, the other only the bus.
The costs people forget
Domestic flights and trains. Vietnam is about 1,650 km from north to south. Moving between regions usually means a domestic flight (one way, roughly US$40–60 for a budget fare, more for full-service) or a long train or sleeper-bus ride (roughly US$10–60 depending on distance). These are not in the daily totals above.
Your visa. The official e-visa costs US$25 for single entry or US$50 for multiple entry. See our step-by-step guide: Vietnam E-Visa 2026: How to Apply Yourself.
A local SIM or eSIM. Budget around US$6–12 for a tourist data package.
Tips. Tipping is not required in Vietnam, but it is appreciated, especially for guides and drivers on day tours.
Travel insurance. Buy it before you leave home. Medical treatment at international hospitals is priced for foreigners.
ATM fees. Many local ATMs charge a fee per withdrawal, and your home bank may add its own. Fewer, larger withdrawals usually cost less.
Five ways to spend less without missing out
- Eat where locals queue. A busy street stall is usually cheaper, fresher and better than a tourist restaurant next door.
- Use ride-hailing apps. Grab, Xanh SM and Be show the price before you ride, which removes the risk of a rigged taxi meter.
- Travel in shoulder season. May to September is quieter and often cheaper for hotels, though some regions are rainy.
- Book overnight transport. A sleeper train or bus saves one night of accommodation.
- Carry small notes. Paying 50,000 VND for a 20,000 VND coffee with a 500,000 note invites confusion. The 20,000 and 500,000 notes are similar colours, so check before you hand one over.
Frequently asked questions
Is US$50 a day enough for Vietnam?
Yes, for most independent travellers. It covers a clean mid-range room shared between two, local meals, city transport and a few sights. Add extra for domestic flights and organised day tours.
Should I bring US dollars or change money in Vietnam?
Most day-to-day spending is in dong. Some hotels and tour companies accept US dollars, but you will need dong for food, taxis and markets. Change a small amount at the airport for your first ride, then use ATMs or banks in the city, where rates are usually better.
Can I pay by card in Vietnam?
Hotels, larger restaurants and shops in cities usually accept Visa and Mastercard. Street stalls, small shops and markets are cash-only, so keep enough dong on you.
Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand?
For food and local transport, usually yes. For international-standard hotels in major cities, the difference is smaller.
Prices are typical ranges for general guidance and vary by city, season and exchange rate. The totals exclude international flights.
Planning a full trip rather than day by day? Browse our Vietnam destination guides or look at a complete route such as the 14-day North to South itinerary.