Vietnam Backpacking Trip: Everything You Need to Know for Backpacking Tour Plan
Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations among backpackers. Though Vietnam is a small developing country, it is still a great place for those seeking fantastic adventure, unique experiences, mouth-watering street food, and the exotic charm of ancient historical scenery. Backpacking is an intimate experience of the local culture that is also budget-friendly.
From the winding alleys and modern architecture of Ho Chi Minh City and Saigon to the pristine beaches of the southern and central coasts, Vietnam has everything on a backpacker’s wish list.
The Cost of a Backpacking Tour in Vietnam Can Be $18 Per Day
Spend 1 or 2 Weeks Focusing on Top Spots in Vietnam
At Least 3 Weeks to Cover the Whole Country in One Trip
Add 2 Weeks to the Neighboring Countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos
Visiting Vietnam in the Off-season Can Help You Save Money
Exploring Independently Mixed with Taking Guided Tours Offers a Better Travel Experience
Get Around in Vietnam for Backpackers: Bus, Train, Grab Taxi, and Motorbikes
Applying E-Visa is Easy and Flexible for Backpacking Travelers
The Cost of a Backpacking Tour in Vietnam Can Be $18 Per Day
The cost of backpacking in Vietnam can be shockingly low. Budget backpackers can get by on as little as 18 USD per day, even in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
A big part of that is the many options for budget accommodations around the country. In Vietnam, you can choose from hostels and homestays that cost between 3-7 USD per night.
Expense |
Budget backpacker |
Comfort backpacker |
Accommodation |
$3-$7 |
$15+ |
Food |
$5-$10 |
$15+ |
Transportation |
$5-$10 |
$15+ |
Activities |
$5-$15 |
$20+ |
Total per day |
$18-$42 |
$65+ |
Vietnamese food that is the least expensive is also some of the most delicious. Street food is an essential part of Vietnamese culture and the best way to try local specialties.
Signature dishes like pho noodle soup, banh mi Vietnamese sandwiches, and spring rolls are sold everywhere for as little as 1-3 USD per dish. Even at small local restaurants, you can sit down to eat an authentic meal for 2-5 USD.
Vietnamese street shops offer kinds of food.
Visiting historic sites like the Temple of Literature in Hanoi and the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City costs 2-3 USD. Cheap nightlife is also easy to find, with outdoor pubs serving local beer for 1-2 USD per bottle.
Spend 1 or 2 Weeks Focusing on Top Spots in Vietnam
Take 1-2 weeks to travel Vietnam from north to south. Start in Hanoi, exploring the winding alleys of the Old Quarter and seeing the city’s oasis at Hoan Kiem Lake.
The city is a perfect introduction to Vietnamese culture and history, with ancient and modern sites like the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and it is the best place to experience authentic Pho.
Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s premier destinations and a must-visit in the north of the country. Take a Halong Bay cruise on the emerald water and tour the islands, exploring caves and beaches.
Hoi An in central Vietnam offers the unique experience of its Ancient Town. The cobblestone streets and charming shopfronts are illuminated with hundreds of lanterns at night. In the surrounding countryside, you can visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village to see the work of traditional artisans.
Hoi An is a popular destination for backpacking in Vietnam.
Continue south to Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a vibrant city with exciting nightlife. Saigon has the best sites for learning about the Vietnam Way, such as the Cu Chi Tunnels, and is also the gateway to the Mekong Delta. On a Mekong River cruise, you will see cottage industries, floating markets, and the traditional way of life of the river communities.
End your tour with a few days of relaxing on the beach in Phu Quoc. The tropical island paradise has long stretches of pristine beaches and clear waters. It’s a perfect escape from the bustle of big cities and a great final experience of Vietnam tours.
Phu Quoc is a tropical paradise for beach relaxing.
At Least 3 Weeks to Cover the Whole Country in One Trip
Add an extra week to cover all of Vietnam during an epic three-week Vietnam tour. In the north, you will have time to travel to the mountainous Sapa region. The area is famous for its picturesque rice terraces, and backpackers can take advantage of family homestays to live in an ethnic minority village.
Then, go to Ninh Binh before leaving Northern Vietnam. It’s known as ‘Halong Bay on Land’ for its equally beautiful limestone karst formations. Cruise down the river and explore the vast cave systems to experience the area’s natural beauty.
Hue, the former imperial capital, is a fascinating destination in central Vietnam. The Imperial City of Hue is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring imposing structures and opulent palaces from the Nguyen Dynasty. Visit the royal tombs and try the city’s imperial cuisine.
Experiencing the nightlife in Hue is a must-do when backpacking in Hue.
Dalat in the central highlands is known as the ‘city of eternal spring.’ It’s a tranquil mountain town with breathtaking scenery. Explore natural sites like Xuan Huong Lake and see the colonial architecture of the Dalat Cathedral.
Mui Ne is a beach resort town that is a top destination for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing. The city gets a steady wind blowing in over the ocean, perfect for exciting watersports.
Amazing kitesurfing experience in Mui Ne.
Add 2 Weeks to the Neighboring Countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos
Over the course of four weeks, you can have a backpacker’s dream tour through Southeast Asia, visiting Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Two weeks in Vietnam will take you from north to south, then transfer from Saigon to Siem Reap.
Three days will let you explore the magnificent temple complex of Angkor Wat and the rural countryside around Tonle Sap Lake. Enjoy Siem Reap’s nightlife with great food in the Night Market and the lively atmosphere of Pub Street.
Then, fly to Laos. The quiet, rural country is packed with charming historical sites and untouched natural beauty. In Pakse, you’ll see the Tad Fan Waterfall and ethnic villages on the Bolavan Plateau. Explore Laotian history at the Vat Phou Ruins, an ancient temple complex from the 10th century, and tour the small villages around Si Phan Don.
Stunning landscape of Si Phan Don.
In the capital, Vientiane, there are ancient stupas and temples, plus the National Museum for learning about local history. Then, travel to Luang Prabang to see its beautiful surroundings. The Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddhas, and the Khouang Si Waterfall are both places of deep beauty.
This will leave you with a week to explore Thailand. Start in Chiang Rai, home to hill tribes and unique temples. Visit the White Temple, glimmering in the sunlight, the Blue Temple, with its distinctive Hue, and the Black House, with its unique, modern design.
Chiang Rai White Temple.
Nearby, Chiang Mai is famous for its Elephant Nature Park. Watch the magnificent animals in their natural habitat, and learn about conservation efforts.
Bangkok is the last stop. Travel by tuk-tuk around the city to visit the Grand Palace and Wat Arum. Try the incredible street food, and stay up until the early hours with the city’s never-ending nightlife.
Backpackers enjoy the vibrant Bangkok nightlife.
Visiting Vietnam in the Off-season Can Help You Save Money
Vietnam stretches a long distance from north to south creating great regional diversity in climates. Northern Vietnam has a cool, dry season from October to April, with some chilly days in December and January.
South Vietnam is warm all year, with a dry season from December to April when humidity drops and the sun comes out, which is also the best time to visit Vietnam. The rainy season comes later in central Vietnam, clearing up by February and bringing good conditions that continue until August.
The best weather in each region also attracts the most tourists. You can save some money by traveling in the off-season. From May to September, tourism drops off as temperatures rise and rainfall starts to get heavy. Even in the peak of Vietnam rainy season, rain often falls in the late afternoon or evening, leaving time to enjoy the outdoors during the day.
Backpackers visit Hoi An in Vietnam rainy season.
Aiming for the shoulder season, the transition months between the wet and dry seasons is a good strategy to balance costs with good weather.
With fewer tourists traveling at that time, you can have a quieter travel experience and find some good deals on hotels and flights. In September/October and April/May, the rains are just starting or ending with enough sunny days to enjoy the outdoors.
September is still a good time to visit Vietnam for backpackers.
Exploring Independently Mixed with Taking Guided Tours Offers a Better Travel Experience
Independent travel and guided tours are both good options with different advantages. Traveling by yourself gives you the maximum flexibility to pursue your interests. You can change plans on a whim if something strikes your fancy and figure it out as you go along.
The disadvantage is that you’re also responsible for every part of your trip. It’s easy to miss out on off-the-beaten-path attractions if you’re reliant on the internet or guidebooks.
Backpackers can join in Hoi An day tours for basket boat ride.
Guided tours can match itineraries, hotels, restaurants, and transportation to your interests and budget, choosing the best options through local expertise.
We can not only personalize travel plans for exactly the experience you’re looking for but also connect you with like-minded travelers to share costs on things like transportation and meals. Small group travel on Mekong Delta Tours, Halong Bay Cruises, and Tam Coc Boat Rides balance cost with flexibility to help you get the maximum value from your Vietnam experience.
Get Around in Vietnam for Backpackers: Bus, Train, Grab Taxi, and Motorbikes
Domestic flights are not expensive in Vietnam, but to cut down on travel costs, backpackers can take advantage of overnight buses and trains.
Buses and trains with sleeper compartments let you cover the distance between cities while you sleep, which also saves on accommodation costs. An 8-hour Hanoi to Sapa train journey on a sleeper bus can cost as little as 12 USD. Travel down the coast in comfort while saving money.
Backpackers take Vietnam overnight trains for saving money.
The ride-hailing app Grab is the most convenient option for getting around in cities. You can link your debit or credit card, and the app helps with translation.
Fares in big cities average around 5 USD between major attractions. Motorbike taxis are a cheaper option, costing 10,000-15,000 VND per kilometer, and can be a good choice for short distances.
Taking Grab is a cost-saving and convenient way for getting around Vietnam.
Applying E-Visa is Easy and Flexible for Backpacking Travelers
Most backpackers will need a tourist visa for visiting Vietnam. The e-visa system is the most convenient option. Apply online for a single-entry visa, good for a stay of up to 90 days. The online form is straightforward, and you’ll need to upload a photo and scan of your passport page. The normal processing time is 3-5 working days.
The standard visa costs 25 USD. Longer stays and multiple entries are also available for additional costs. The e-visa allows you to enter the country through 42 international border gates, including all international airports.
Conclusion
Take a backpacker’s dream tour across all of Vietnam or from Vietnam onward to the rest of Southeast Asia. Managing your budget while eating the best local food and staying in authentic local accommodations means you can plan an epic, month-long adventure seeing ancient cultures.
The easy e-visa system makes entry to Vietnam straightforward, and our local tour guides will ensure you don’t miss out on the best sites around the country. Find out how to join a small group tour or contact us to personalize your dream itinerary for a Vietnam tour.
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