Vietnam Backpacking Budget 2026
How much does it actually cost to travel Vietnam? Full daily budget breakdown covering accommodation, food, transport, visas and activities, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
Daily Budget Tiers
Dorm hostels, street food, sleeper buses, free beaches
Private rooms, restaurant meals, some tours and experiences
Boutique hotels, restaurants, guided tours, domestic flights
Vietnam Price Guide 2026
| Item | VND | GBP approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm bed (Hanoi/HCMC) | 100,000-200,000 VND | £3-6 |
| Private room (guesthouse) | 250,000-500,000 VND | £8-16 |
| Pho (street stall) | 40,000-60,000 VND | £1.30-2 |
| Banh mi baguette | 15,000-30,000 VND | £0.50-1 |
| Restaurant meal (local) | 80,000-150,000 VND | £2.50-5 |
| Bia hoi (local draught beer) | 5,000-15,000 VND | £0.15-0.50 |
| Bottle of beer (bar) | 30,000-60,000 VND | £1-2 |
| Grab (motorbike) across city | 30,000-80,000 VND | £1-2.50 |
| Sleeper bus: Hanoi to Hoi An | 250,000-400,000 VND | £8-13 |
| Flight: Hanoi to HCMC (VietJet) | 300,000-900,000 VND | £10-29 |
| Motorbike rental (per day) | 100,000-200,000 VND | £3-6 |
| Ha Long Bay 2-day cruise (budget) | 1,200,000-1,800,000 VND | £39-58 |
| Vietnamese coffee (ca phe sua da) | 20,000-40,000 VND | £0.65-1.30 |
| Hoi An old town entry | 120,000 VND | £3.90 |
| Tourist SIM (30 days) | 150,000-200,000 VND | £5-6 |
| Coworking (Hoi An/day) | 100,000-200,000 VND | £3-6 |
Cost Breakdown by Category
Visa
E-visa required for most nationalities, $25 USD, valid 90 days, apply online at xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn
SIM Card
Viettel or Vietnamobile tourist SIM, around 150,000-200,000 VND (~£5-6) for 30 days unlimited data
Top Destinations
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to backpack Vietnam for a month?
A budget backpacker can travel Vietnam for around £400-600 per month (12,400,000-18,600,000 VND). This covers dorm beds, street food, sleeper buses between cities and a few paid activities. Mid-range travellers in private rooms spending on tours and restaurants should budget £750-1,500 per month.
Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?
Most nationalities need an e-visa for Vietnam. It costs $25 USD, allows a single 90-day stay and is applied for online at the official Vietnam Immigration portal (xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn). Processing takes 3 working days. Some nationalities (Japan, South Korea, select European countries) are visa-exempt for shorter periods.
Is Vietnam cheap to travel?
Yes, Vietnam is one of the most affordable destinations in Southeast Asia. Street food meals cost £1-2, a cold beer at a bia hoi (street stall) can be as little as £0.20, and dorm beds start from £3. Even mid-range travel is very reasonable by Western standards.
What is the best route to backpack Vietnam?
The classic route runs from Hanoi in the north down to Ho Chi Minh City in the south (or reverse). Key stops include Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Hue, Hoi An and the Da Lat highlands. Sleeper buses and budget flights connect all major stops cheaply.
What is the best app for tracking a Vietnam travel budget?
BudgetBro lets you track expenses in Vietnamese Dong and your home currency simultaneously, set a daily budget and see exactly where your money is going. The AI companion answers questions like 'how much have I spent on food this week?' It works offline and is free to download on iOS and Android.
Track Your Vietnam Budget with BudgetBro
Log expenses in Vietnamese Dong, set a daily limit, and ask your AI companion how you are tracking. Free on iOS and Android.