Traveling these days can become expensive, and if you’re heading to Vietnam, it’s important that you come prepared. Although Vietnam is on the cheaper side compared to some other countries in Asia, you could go beyond your travel budget if you don’t have any idea how much it would really cost to travel in the country. So if you’re heading to Vietnam soon, here’s everything you need to know about the cost of traveling to Vietnam.

Vietnam E-visa

Vietnam visa on arrival office in Da Nang Int’l Airport, Vietnam

One of the most important things that you need to think about when it comes to preparing for your Vietnam trip is your visa. Do you need a visa to Vietnam? If so, how much will it cost you?

You can simply visit evisa-vietnam.com to find out if you need a visa and to know how much will your visa cost you. In fact, you can also apply for your visa on the website, which is very easy and convenient. The cost of your visa will depend on the type of visa that you’re going to apply, your nationality, and other factors. For more information, check out evisa-vietnam.com and make sure you apply for your visa as early as possible.

Accommodation Cost In Vietnam

Della Boutique Hostel Saigon

Like other places in the world, the cost of accommodation in Vietnam will depend on the type of accommodation you’re going to book. If you are traveling on a budget, there are lots of affordable hostels and backpacker guesthouses that costs around $10 – $15 per night. But for this type of accommodation, you’ll be sharing rooms and bathrooms with some other guests. If you prefer to have your own room, there are mid-range hotels that cost less than $20 per night. Luxury 5-star hotels cost around $80 above.

Transportation Cost in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh bus stop

It’s cheap to travel around Vietnam but it will also depend on the kind of transportation you’re going to take, of course. In big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, the most convenient way to travel around is in a taxi, but that’s the most expensive option. Although the starting fare in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh is only around 10,000 – $12,000 dong or $0.50 USD, it could get expensive if you travel far especially during the heavy traffic.

The cheapest way to get around is on a local bus, which should cost only $1 – $2 per ride. If you have a driver’s license, you can rent a motorbike for a day, which will only cost you less than $10 per day. You can use your map and drive your way around the city. But be aware that Vietnam’s city streets can get really busy since you’ll be sharing the street with thousand other motorbike drivers.

Cost of Eating in Vietnam

Traditional Vietnamese beef soup – pho bo

Food is another expense that you need to think about your travel to Vietnam. Again, this will depend on the type of foods that you eat and the type of places where you prefer to eat. There are lots of inexpensive restaurants serving delicious Vietnamese foods and the average cost per meal is around 50,000 dong or $2 per person. If you would rather eat at expensive restaurants, then that could cost you around $15 – $20 for a 3-course meal. There are also Western fast foods in Vietnam, such as Pizza Hut, Burger King, Popeye’s, Mc Donalds, KFC, etc. An average meal at these places is around $5.

If you want to save on food in Vietnam, then have your meal at one of the street side stalls. Vietnam’s street foods are not only cheap, but they are delicious as well. For instance, a bowl of Vietnamese Pho should only cost you around $1 – $1.50 each. You can pair it with a bottle of Bia Hoi (Vietnam’s draught beer), which costs around $.30 per bottle.

Tipping in Vietnam

Tipping in Vietnam

Tipping in Vietnam is not customary, however, it will be highly appreciated. In hotels, you are not expected to give tips but you can perhaps leave a small amount for the cleaning staff as a form of gratuity. In restaurants, tipping is not expected because most restaurants would charge 5 to 10 percent service fees. But if you feel like you’re satisfied with the service, you can always give a small amount to the waiters, etc. If you are joining tours with a guide, giving a few dollars should be enough.