How to Travel Vietnam on a Budget? 13 Useful Tips to Follow

Vietnam is an emerging star as a popular travel destination, capturing the attention of people from all over the world. Renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and vibrant culture, Vietnam also offers great value for money!

Even on a tight budget, you can still enjoy a wealth of reasonably priced activities and attractions, taste delicious Vietnamese food, and obtain remarkable gifts. You’ll gain a perfect budget-friendly travel with an unforgettable Vietnam tour. So how to travel Vietnam on a budget? Here, you are referred to 13 useful tips to follow. 

Opt for Budget Airlines for Traveling to Vietnam

Airline fare accounts for a large part of the cost of traveling in Vietnam. Some budget airlines flying to major Vietnamese cities are Pacific Airlines, Air Asia, and Jetstar Airways. You can fly to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi by Pacific Airlines from Taiwan and Thailand.

Air Asia's airplanes connect most famous Vietnamese destinations with countries such as Australia and China. Jetstar’s planes fly to HCMC from Southeast Asian countries, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Japan.

Hong Kong Airlines usually offers favorable flights to Vietnam. Many tourists make connecting flights from Hong Kong to Vietnam. By choosing these budget airlines, travelers can save money without compromising on safety or comfort.

Air Asia

Experience Vietnam with Various Group Tours

Join in a group tour is an excellent option for those with a limited budget. Traveling in a group can split accommodation and transport expenses.

Furthermore, members could negotiate lower prices for guided tours and other activities. If you're concerned about solo travel, a group tour provides a sense of security and the opportunity to forge new friendships with fellow travelers from around the globe.

Indochina Tour offers a range of small group tours in Vietnam, usually for 6-12 people. During the small group tour, you'll travel in our clean and comfortable buses accompanied by professional local guides. 

7 Days Southern Vietnam Essential Relaxing Tour

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Indulge in Affordable Local Street Food During Your Vietnam Tour

In Vietnam, there is inexpensive street food everywhere, which can save you a lot of money. Finding places where locals dine and drink will not only save you money but will also allow you to experience the eating habits of the locals.

Your affordable Vietnam tour can be a delicious street food adventure. Don't miss the local markets and night markets! These bazaars offer the freshest ingredients and traditional flavors!

You can sample traditional Vietnamese food such as river noodles, banh mi, and fresh spring rolls, and local specialties such as bun cha in Hanoi, cao lau in Hoi An, or banh xeo in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam street food

Master the Art of Bargaining While Exploring Vietnam

How to travel Vietnam on a budget? The art of bargaining can help you a lot. If you want to get the best deal between you and the sellers and have a good chance to buy products at a considerably low price, you have to know the method of the bargain. It is very common when you buy things in Vietnam, especially in local Vietnam night markets.

Learning some Vietnamese phrases would help you to negotiate prices. Note here! It is suggested to bargain at half of the original price at first. Many sellers may refuse you at first with the reason that their products with the best price and quality. In this case, you can gradually raise the price until both of you reach an agreement.

Another effective way to bargain is to pretend to walk away. This method can be used when you nearly reach the price that you want but the seller doesn’t agree with you. If you walk away, the sellers may call you back and give you the price that you want.

Bargaining in Vietnam

Explore Vietnam During Shoulder Seasons for Cost Savings

Traveling in the shoulder season (usually from April to August) can help you to save a lot of money. The huge amount of traveling accommodation can even shock you at a low price during shoulder season. Transportation and some activities in Vietnam may also be met with discounts these time.

For example, if you are traveling during the summer time from May to September, there is a big deal for most Halong Bay cruises from a 20% to 40% discount. Although it might not be ideal weather, you will still have the chance to explore a destination without getting bothered because of the crowds. 

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Choose Hostels for Budget-Friendly Accommodation in Vietnam

The best way to see Vietnam most affordably is to stay in a youth hostel. You can even book a hostel in Vietnam for as low as $3.60 a night. If you're planning a longer trip, hostel kitchens allow you to save money by cooking your meals. Some hostels also offer many other facilities for backpackers such as bike rentals, motorcycle tours, sports fields, and other additional services.

Apart from being more affordable than regular hostels, you can also meet backpackers from all over the world. You can share many interesting travel stories with them and even travel with them as companions.

Choose Vietnam hostels for a budget tour

Rent a Motorbike to Discover Vietnam's Hidden Gems

If you want a budget-friendly Vietnam tour, you can consider renting a motorbike to travel. Rent a Bike, Dragon Bikes, and Flamingo are some of the professional rental companies that add pick-up and drop-off services to the price. If you rent a semi-automatic or standard automatic motorbike, the average price is around $10 per day.

With a motorbike tour in Vietnam, you are allowed to uncover hidden natural gems inaccessible by car. Riding along adventurous roads or through picturesque Vietnamese fields and lanes. The route provides a fresh and immersive insight into the landscape.

Take an exiting and cost-effective motorbike tour in vietnam

Enjoy Vietnam with Convenient Tourist Bus Services

Tourist buses are another very affordable and convenient way of transportation in Vietnam. Compared with a motorbike, you can communicate with the friendly locals along the route. The routes of tourist buses in Vietnam are very extensive, and you can take buses in many places. And the bus fare may be much cheaper than the train ticket for the same route.

For example, bus tickets for a journey between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which are around 1.750km, are from $25 to $40. Journeying from HCMC to Nha Trang, which is 440km away, by bus costs around 12 USD. From Hanoi to Halong Bay, fares are typically around 10 bucks for a 180km journey. 

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Sleep on Overnight Buses/Trains for Long Journeys in Vietnam

To further reduce travel costs, take an overnight bus or train to and from destinations. It’s one of the best ways to travel to Vietnam on a budget. Enjoying the benefits of the most economical way of transport, you can cut down on accommodation expenses.

For instance, opting for an overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai is a popular choice for reaching Sapa. With fares ranging from $7 to $46 per person, you can enjoy a comfortable journey and wake up refreshed. Start to enjoy your relaxing and wonderful exploration with full energy!

Vietnam sleeper bus

Visit Free Attractions During Your Vietnam Trip

Visiting free attractions is another way of traveling to Vietnam at a low cost. There are many engaging sightseeing opportunities for budget-conscious holidaymakers traveling between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and beyond

In the capital city Hanoi, you can visit Hoan Kiem Lake and have a tour of the Old Quarter area and various famous attractions including bridges and pagodas. In HCMC, visit Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Also, visit the old Chinese Quan Am Pagoda.

Hike through the rice fields of Sapa, northwest of Hanoi, and explore Hoi An "the Venice of Southeast Asia" on foot. Last but not least, you can choose to sit or wander along the beach, admiring the crystal water and unparalleled sunrise or sunset in the wide land.

Free attractions train street in Hanoi, Vietnam

Compare Prices for Guided Tours in Vietnam

Before booking a guided tour service, do some research. Compare prices, services offered and other details to find the best guide for you. Consider the tour operator's reputation and reviews. Reasonably priced tours coupled with excellent reviews may offer better value in terms of quality and service.

For example, a day tour to Ninh Binh is a must for every foreign tourist visiting Northern Vietnam. Different tour operators set different services and prices vary significantly.

In general, a basic sightseeing tour of Ninh Binh day trip starts at around US$20 to US$50 per person, while a multi-day tour with a longer itinerary and higher quality accommodation may start at US$100 to US$500 per person or more. 

7 Days Northern Vietnam Historical & Natural Tour Package

Hanoi – Sapa - Halong Bay - Ninh Binh - Hanoi

Exchange US Dollars for Vietnamese Dong While Traveling in Vietnam

The official exchange rate is approximately 25,350 VND for 1 USD.

Though American Dollars (USD) are widely accepted in Vietnam, you are advised to convert them into Vietnamese Dongs (VND) for a trip to Vietnam on a budget. In general, prices are much higher when you pay in US$. Local Vietnamese banknotes feature many zeros. You can imagine the confusion and potential for miscalculations that may arise when dealing with large sums in USD.

By using VND, you can ensure that you're getting the best value for your money and avoid overpaying for goods and services. Even, you'll be better equipped to negotiate prices! Furthermore, many services prefer payment in VND, including public transportation, budget-friendly accommodations, and local street food stalls.

Vietnamese dongs

Stay Connected with a Local SIM Card During Your Vietnam Adventure

High roaming charges and inexpensive traveling typically don't go hand in hand. To avoid such expenses while holidaying in Vietnam, buy a SIM card from a local provider.

A local SIM card comes with numerous benefits, including affordable data plans for internet access, convenient calling, and texting options, as well as access to networks that cover Vietnam extensively. With a local SIM card, you can easily navigate unfamiliar locations using maps and translation apps instead of a local guide.

The average cost of a Vietnamese SIM card is $10, payable in local money. Some reputable providers are Vietnamboile, Vinamphone, and Mobifone. However, Viettel, which is most popular among foreign visitors, has the largest network.

Conclusion

If you follow the guidelines of how to travel Vietnam on a budget in this article, you should be able to keep a daily travel budget for a Vietnam tour around $20. But, if you wish to travel for less, lowering costs to $15 per day is possible.

We have broad experience in organizing various trips in Southeast Asia. Contact us and you just specify your wishes, habits, budget, and priorities, and our experienced staff will find the perfect solution for you.