Vietnam on a Budget: Where I Actually Save Money

The honest answer from someone who counted every dong

Yes, you can travel in Vietnam without much money. I have done it on tight budgets and on looser ones, and the lesson is always the same: the savings are real, but they sit in two places, getting around and eating. They do not sit in skipping insurance, sleeping somewhere unsafe or riding a motorbike you are not licensed for.

If you want the wider picture first, my take on whether Vietnam is expensive and the fuller travel budget guide cover the overall numbers. This page is the personal version: what I actually do.

Get comfortable with the dong

Vietnam’s currency is the dong (VND), quoted in large numbers. In 2026 the rate is roughly 28,000 VND to 1 euro and 26,000 VND to 1 US dollar, and it has been drifting slowly downward. Always attach a year to any price you read online, mine included, because a figure from two years ago can mislead you.

The US dollar is not legal tender. Some shops will quote in dollars to tourists, and that is usually a sign you are paying more than a local would. Pay in dong.

My routine is simple. I withdraw a reasonable amount at a bank machine, keep small notes separate from large ones, and stop trying to convert everything in my head. Round to 28,000 to the euro and move on. For the details, see money in Vietnam.

Cash and cards: use each where it works

Cash still matters here. Street food, markets and small cafés generally want dong in hand, and some do not have a card reader at all. Hotels, cruises, tours and larger restaurants take cards without fuss.

So I carry cash for the cheap, frequent purchases and keep a card for the big, infrequent ones. That split also protects you: you never need to carry a thick wad for a hotel bill. More on this in do you need cash in Vietnam.

Transport is where the real money is

Vietnam is long. Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is about two hours by plane, or more than thirty hours on the Reunification Express. That distance decides your budget more than any hostel.

Here is how I think about the three main options, without pretending to quote fares that change every week:

Option	What you save	What it costs you
Domestic flight	Time, often a full day	Usually the highest ticket, cheaper when booked early
Sleeper bus	A hotel night, often a modest fare	Comfort and sleep vary a lot
Train	A hotel night, with scenery on some stretches	Slowest option, berth quality varies

The trick is to count the hotel night. A night journey replaces a bed, so the real comparison is the fare against the fare plus a room. Look at domestic flights in Vietnam, sleeper buses and train travel for current detail, and check prices yourself on the day.

Inside cities I use ride-hailing apps such as Grab or Be. You see the price before you ride, there is no haggling, and the route is tracked. Grab and taxis in Vietnam explains how it works. Motorbike taxis, called xe om, are cheaper still for short hops when you agree the price first.

Food: the best bargain in the country

This is where I save without feeling it. A bowl of pho at a busy street stall, a plate of com tam in Saigon, a banh mi from a cart: eating where locals queue is both the cheapest and the best food you will find.

My rules:

• Choose busy stalls with a quick turnover.
• Look for a short menu focused on one dish.
• Carry small notes, because change can be awkward.
• Skip restaurants that put photos and English prices on a big board next to a famous landmark.

If you are nervous about where to start, a guided tour is a fair investment on day one, because it teaches you what to order and how. I enjoyed a private street food walk in Hanoi for exactly that reason, and a scooter food tour in Ho Chi Minh City does the same for the south. Afterwards you can eat alone with confidence. For more on what to order, see the Vietnamese food guide, and for peace of mind on hygiene, street food safety.

Where I will not cut corners

Cheap does not mean careless. I keep three lines firm:

1. Travel insurance. Medical care and a motorbike accident can wipe out any saving.
2. Motorbikes. I only ride with the right licence, and many insurers refuse a claim otherwise. A cheap rental is not cheap after an accident.
3. Sleeping and transport safety. I pay a little more for a reputable bus company or a well-reviewed room rather than the lowest price.

The cheapest option and the best-value option are rarely the same. Homestays, for example, are often both good value and a better experience; my homestays guide explains how to pick one.

Watch for overcharging at tourist hubs

Violent crime is rare, but small overcharging is common wherever tourists gather. Typical cases are an unmetered ride, a menu without prices, or a “special” price for a fruit seller’s photo. None of it is dangerous, only irritating.

My defence is calm and boring: ask the price first, use apps where possible, and walk away without drama. Learn the common patterns in scams to avoid in Vietnam. I have also found that a modest paid activity with a clear price, like a cultural tour in Hoi An, is easier on the nerves than bargaining for everything separately.

Mind the calendar

Timing changes prices more than any trick. Tet, the lunar new year, falls between late January and mid-February on a different date every year. Many businesses close for several days, transport is fully booked and prices rise. If you must travel then, book early and expect to pay more. Tet in Vietnam explains how to plan around it.

Put numbers on your own trip

Everyone spends differently, so test your own plan rather than trusting mine. The budget tool lets you adjust style and length, and gives you a working figure for 2026.

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Vietnam on a budget

Is Vietnam really cheap for travellers?

It can be, especially for food and local transport, but it is not free of traps. Prices climb quickly at tourist hubs and during Tet, so your choices matter more than the country’s reputation.

What currency should I carry?

The Vietnamese dong. In 2026 it is roughly 28,000 VND to 1 euro and 26,000 VND to 1 US dollar, drifting slowly downward. The US dollar is not legal tender, so change money rather than expecting to pay in dollars.

Do I need cash, or can I pay by card?

Both. Hotels, cruises, tours and larger restaurants take cards, but street food, markets and small cafés generally want cash in dong.

What is the cheapest way to cross the country?

There is no single answer. Sleeper buses and trains can be economical and save a hotel night, while a booked-early domestic flight can beat them once you count your time. Compare current prices on the day you travel.

How do I avoid being overcharged?

Use a ride-hailing app such as Grab or Be where you can, agree prices before getting into anything unmetered, and check menus for prices at tourist spots. A calm, polite question usually settles it.

When is Vietnam most expensive?

Around Tet, the lunar new year, between late January and mid-February. Transport fills up, many businesses close for days and prices rise, so book early or choose other dates.