Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's best-value destinations — but "budget travel" means very different things depending on how you travel. This breakdown covers what a mid-range traveler actually spends: comfortable guesthouses, local restaurants, and the occasional splurge on a Ha Long Bay cruise or cooking class.
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The 2-week route
The classic Vietnam trip runs north to south (or reverse): Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City. You'll fly between key cities to save time — domestic flights are cheap booked ahead.
- Days 1–3: Hanoi — old quarter, street food, day trips
- Days 4–5: Ha Long Bay — 2-day cruise on a junk boat
- Days 6–9: Hoi An — ancient town, beaches, tailors
- Days 10–14: Ho Chi Minh City — Cu Chi tunnels, Mekong Delta day trip
Accommodation costs
Vietnam has some of Asia's best accommodation value. In Hanoi's Old Quarter, a clean boutique guesthouse with rooftop views costs €20–35/night. In Hoi An, riverside properties with pool run €35–55/night. Ho Chi Minh City has the widest range — from €18 hostels to €80 design hotels in District 1.
Our recommendation: Book guesthouses directly or through Klook for the best rates. Avoid the lowest-priced options in Ha Long Bay — the quality difference on a 2-day cruise is significant.
Food & drink budget
Vietnam's street food is legendary and extraordinarily cheap. Eating locally costs $1–3 per meal at plastic-stool spots. A sit-down restaurant in Hoi An runs $5–12. Budget €15–25/day for food if you mix street food with occasional restaurant meals.
The best street food by city: Hanoi for phở and bún chả; Hue for bánh mì and bún bò Huế; Hoi An for cao lầu; Ho Chi Minh City for banh mi and southern-style pho.
Getting around Vietnam
Domestic flights between cities are the biggest single expense — budget €25–60 per flight booked 1–2 weeks ahead. The Reunification Express train is excellent for the Hanoi–Hue–Da Nang leg (book soft-sleeper cabins for overnight journeys, around €20–35).
Within cities, Grab (the regional Uber) is reliable and cheap — around $1–3 for most city rides. Avoid hailing taxis at airports; use Grab or official Noi Bai Taxi in Hanoi.
Total cost summary
For 14 days in Vietnam traveling mid-range:
- Accommodation: €350–550 (avg. €25–40/night)
- Food & drink: €200–350 (€15–25/day)
- Transport (internal): €150–250 (2–3 flights + trains)
- Activities: €100–200 (Ha Long Bay cruise, cooking class, Cu Chi)
- Total: €800–1,350 for 2 weeks, excluding flights from home
The Ha Long Bay cruise is the biggest single activity cost — €80–150 per person for a 2-day mid-range boat. Don't skip it, but don't book the cheapest option either.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes — Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's safest destinations for solo travelers, including women. The main risks are traffic (cross roads carefully) and occasional petty theft in tourist areas. Use Grab rather than street taxis at night.
Vietnam is long (1,650km) and weather varies by region. November–April is best for the north and centre. The south is good year-round. Avoid April–October in the north due to typhoon season.
Most nationalities can enter Vietnam visa-free for 45 days (as of 2023). Check the official Vietnam Immigration portal for your specific nationality, as rules change. An e-visa is available for most others.
Budget traveler: €25–40/day (hostels, street food, local transport). Mid-range: €50–80/day (guesthouses, restaurant meals, Grab). Comfortable: €100+/day (boutique hotels, tours, flexibility).