Is Vietnam Expensive To Visit In 2025?

If you’re heading to Southeast Asia, you might find yourself asking the question of “Is Vietnam Expensive?”

It’s one of the most common questions people have, as the country has a reputation for being incredibly cheap, but it can be hard to know whether this is still the case in 2025.

We’re experts on everything to do with Vietnam, and the short answer is that Vietnam is not expensive and is indeed a very affordable country to visit.

Even with more and more travellers arriving each year, prices have stayed pretty low in Vietnam, especially compared to other countries in the region like Thailand.

But let’s go into detail about just how cheap it really is, so you can tally up potential costs for your trip, allowing you to stick to your budget and save some cash.

Is Vietnam Expensive?

As we said in the introduction, the short answer to this question is no, it’s not very expensive to travel around Vietnam at all.

In fact, travelling around Vietnam is usually cheaper than just staying at home in many people’s cases – especially if you can stick to a tight budget!

Even if you are more of a fan of luxurious travel, though, you’ll still likely get way more than you would expect for your money in the UK, for example.

The cost of living in Vietnam is extremely low, with food, accommodation and transport barely scratching the surface of budgets that you would need for travelling in the West.

And if you’re backpacking Vietnam, you’ll be pleased to know the country is also jam-packed with things to do and see, and many of these activities are completely free!

You’ll also feel like a millionaire while travelling around the country, as the local currency, the Vietnamese dong, has a very high exchange rate. Even the largest note available, a 50,000 VND is only worth around £16!

Prices do vary as you travel around Vietnam, with the more touristy areas definitely exhibiting larger price tags, but usually the differences are marginal. 

For example, a 1.5L water bottle could cost from 8,000 dong to 20,000, which is quite a big margin, however, this is actually only between $0.32 and $0.80, so you’re unlikely to really notice a big difference in your spending.

One of the most common ways to lose out on money in Vietnam is unfortunately falling for scams. As you travel around Vietnam, you’ll come across several different scams from locals trying to make some quick cash.

Some common ones to look out for are the rental companies claiming you have damaged motorbikes that you have hired from them, or the classic shoe-shining scam, where a local will begin cleaning your shoes without permission and then demand money.

You might also notice that, as a tourist, you might be charged a lot more than locals buying the same goods. 

Often, the difference is marginal and not worth putting up a fight. It’s good to remember that the locals are trying their best to make a living, often in pretty difficult circumstances, so gaining a few extra cents from tourists can go a long way.

On the topic of extra money, tipping isn’t mandatory in Vietnam, but it is somewhat expected by activity operators.  A tip of around 20k-50k dong ($.77-$1.92) is a general standard for services like rowing boats, rickshaw rides, massages, etc.

We’d recommend a total budget of around $400 in spending money per two weeks in Vietnam. However, most travellers end up spending closer to $530–$660, depending on how many tours, massages, souvenirs, or cocktails you go for. Of course, your total depends on your travel style – some people keep it low-key, while others like to treat themselves.

Let’s break down exactly how much you can expect to pay for items and experiences while travelling around Vietnam.

Price of Food in Vietnam

Food in Vietnam is very affordable, often on par with Thailand prices if you’re looking to just live off quick on-the-go meals from market stalls or local restaurants. 

If you’re happy to opt for street food for each meal then you can expect to pay no more than a few dollars, with common options like bun cha costing around 35k dong (around $1.35). 

Dining in a restaurant is more likely to set you back closer to 100k-150k ($3.85-$5.77) which isn’t bad at all when you consider Western prices and how much they have risen over the last number of years.

If you’re not keen on the local options available, then don’t worry too much. Even with Vietnam being slightly less developed for tourist interests than other Southeast Asian countries, you can still find a reliable pizza or burger on your travels. Naturally, these will be more expensive than the authentic cuisine on offer.

Price of Drinks in Vietnam

In terms of drinks, you can expect to pay around 30k ($1.15) for a bottle of beer, making it very easy to hit your limit on a tight budget. 

As you’d expect, prices can vary significantly depending on the brand. You’ll pay a lot less for a bottled local beer than a draught imported pint. Some good local beers that you can often get for next to nothing include Bia Hanoi and Huda. 

As with every destination, cocktails and spirits will set you back a bit more, but the prices are still great compared to back home, often sitting around the $5 mark.

If you’re not a big alcohol fan and would prefer to breeze your way through Vietnam with a smoothie in hand, then you’re looking at spending around 15k-20k ($0.58-$0.77) for a delicious fresh fruit smoothie, which is often on par with the price of a big bottle of water, as discussed earlier.

And of course, we couldn’t talk about drinks in Vietnam without talking about coffee. An egg coffee will cost you around 30k-60k dong ($1.15-$2.30), depending on where you are in the country. Incredibly cheap and incredibly tasty.

No matter what you choose to drink, make sure to stay well hydrated in Vietnam; the humid heat isn’t for the weak, and the effects of it can sneak up on you very quickly.

Price of Transport in Vietnam

Getting around Vietnam is also very cheap, especially compared to the West. 

A short bus ride in cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City usually costs around $0.30-$0.50. But if you’re up for a bit of adventure or heading off the beaten track, you could try a motorbike taxi, which are often under $2 for short trips. Apps like Grab make it easy to order a ride without language barriers.

Standard taxis around cities are also affordable, but make sure you negotiate a price in advance, or ensure the taxi has a working meter to avoid being scammed. A typical short ride in the city will likely cost around $3-$5.

For long-distance travel, Vietnam’s trains are a solid option, but they can be more expensive than coach journeys. A soft seat on a day train might cost around $10-$20, while a sleeper cabin for overnight journeys could be $25-$40, depending on the route.

Motorbike rentals are super popular for exploring rural areas or coastlines. You can expect to pay $5–$8 per day, or less if you rent for a week or longer. But make sure to take plenty of photos of the bike before and after your rental, so no false damage claims can be made against you!

Price of Accommodation in Vietnam

Accommodation in Vietnam fits just about every budget, but backpackers will especially love how far they can stretch a budget. Dorm beds in hostels typically cost $5-$15 per night, depending on the city and season, making it very tempting to commit to basic-backpacker life.

However, even if you’re set on sticking to the cheapest options, do check the basic amenities of the room before booking. 

One key thing to check is if the room has windows; some cheaper rooms don’t, which can make them feel a bit stuffy, especially at night. A dollar or two extra can be a good deal in this instance.

If you prefer more privacy, many hostels also offer private rooms for $15-$30, often with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. They’re great value, especially if you’re travelling as a couple or want your own space.

Day-use rooms are also common and super convenient if you have a long layover or a late bus. These are usually cheaper than a full night’s stay and perfect for a quick rest or shower.

Laundry is easy to sort out, too. Most hostels or guesthouses will offer laundry service for around 50k per kilo (about $1.90), with clothes ready in 24 hours. It’s a lifesaver if you’re packing light.

And if you like to travel luxuriously, you’re going to be in for a nice surprise in Vietnam. You can stay in 5* luxury resorts for the price of a Travelodge at home – the value for money in Vietnam is incredible.

Price of Activities in Vietnam

When it comes to things to do in Vietnam, prices are a bit all over the place and largely depend on the popularity of the activity or attraction. Some activities cost next to nothing, while others are more of a splurge.

For example, a lantern-making class in Hoi An only costs around 200k (around $8) and gives you an interesting insight into Vietnamese culture. It’s a great experience, especially in a town famous for its colourful lanterns. It’s also a good way to bag a cool souvenir to take back home with you.

On the other hand, something like the Ha Giang Loop – a famous multi-day motorbike adventure through the mountains – can cost around 4.8 million dong (roughly $190). 

While that can sound like a bit of a jump considering the costs of everything else in Vietnam, you are getting a guide, bike rental, food, and accommodation included, so it’s not bad at all.

Famous tourist hotspots like Ha Long Bay will tend to be more expensive. A one-day cruise there can easily cost $50-$100. If you’re desperately trying to limit costs, then a Lan Ha Bay cruise offers similar views for a bit less.

That said, things balance out really well. For every pricey tour, there are several cheap or free activities – like wandering through market-filled streets, hiking to waterfalls, or chilling on gorgeous beaches.

Are flights to Vietnam expensive?

Flights to Vietnam can be a bit pricey depending on where you’re flying from and the time of year, but there are ways to keep costs down. Round-trip tickets from the UK usually range from $700 to $1,200, with prices highest during peak travel seasons like December-March or summer.

If you’re flexible with your dates, you can often find good deals, especially if you book a few months in advance or track the prices obsessively. Flying mid-week or during shoulder seasons (like spring or autumn) can make a big difference.

You can also save money by flying into a nearby country (like Thailand or Malaysia) and grabbing a budget flight into Vietnam from there.

Once you’re in Southeast Asia, regional flights are seriously cheap. Low-cost airlines like VietJet or AirAsia regularly offer one-way fares for $20-$50, making it easy to explore other destinations before or after Vietnam.

So while the initial flight might be one of your biggest expenses, the rest of your trip will likely be budget-friendly enough to make up for it!

One of our top travel tips for saving money in Vietnam when you touch down in the country is not to make a mad dash to the SIM card stalls in the airport. You’ll easily pay around $15 for a month-long SIM, but by just waiting until you get to the city centre, you chop the price by half or even more!

FAQs

Below are some questions related to “Is Vietnam Expensive?” along with our expert answers to each question.

Final Thoughts

As this guide has shown, Vietnam is not expensive. It’s a pretty cheap destination to spend some time travelling around, and if it’s on your bucket list, the affordability of it should push it higher in your priorities if you’re good at sticking to a budget.

You can easily spend a couple of weeks or longer in Vietnam with just a few hundred dollars, especially if you take advantage of the cheap hostels, street food and free activities like hiking and visiting beaches.

Overall, Vietnam is definitely not expensive, but is actually one of the cheapest places you could choose to travel to – and you’re also guaranteed to have an amazing time with so much to see and do!

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