Quick answer: For most travelers, How much money to take to Vietnam is a useful guideline for daily planning. A comfortable daily budget is $50–$70 USD per person.
Backpackers can get by on $25–$35 USD (hostel, street food, buses).
Luxury travelers should budget $100–$150+ USD per day (resorts, fine dining, private tours).
For a two-week trip, aim for $700–$1,000 USD per person for a comfortable mid-range experience.
Planning a trip to Hon Thom Island, Sunset Town, or Grand World? First, budgeting matters for a smooth trip. Knowing how much to budget makes the difference between worrying about money and actually enjoying your trip. This guide breaks down real costs for accommodation, food, transport, and activities in 2026. As a result, you know exactly what to expect.
💵 Vietnam’s Currency: The Dong (VND)
Vietnam’s official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Banknotes range from 1,000 VND (worth about $0.04 USD) to 500,000 VND (about $20 USD). There are no coins in circulation.
Exchange rate (2026): $1 USD ≈ 25,000–26,000 VND
Key point: The dong is a non-convertible currency, meaning you can’t buy it outside Vietnam. Bring USD or EUR in cash to exchange locally, or withdraw from ATMs once you arrive.
🏨 Accommodation Costs (Per Night)
Hostel: $5–$15 USD (120,000–350,000 VND) — dorm bed, basic amenities, social atmosphere
Budget hotel: $15–$30 USD (350,000–700,000 VND) — private room, ensuite, often includes breakfast
Mid-range hotel: $30–$70 USD (700,000–1,700,000 VND) — comfortable room, good location, pool possible
Luxury resort: $100–$300+ USD (2,500,000–7,500,000+ VND) — high-end amenities, beachfront, private pools
Note: Phu Quoc and Nha Trang have a wider range than smaller cities. For detailed options, check out my guides to hotels on Phu Quoc, hotels in Da Nang, and hotels in Nha Trang.
🍜 Food Costs (Per Day)
Street food: $2–$5 USD (50,000–120,000 VND) — phở, bánh mì, bún chả, fresh spring rolls
Local restaurant: $5–$10 USD (120,000–250,000 VND) — sit-down meal, rice/noodle dishes, seafood
Mid-range restaurant: $10–$20 USD (250,000–500,000 VND) — Western or upscale Vietnamese options
Fine dining: $25–$50+ USD (650,000–1,300,000+ VND) — resort restaurants, tasting menus
Beer (local): $0.50–$1.50 USD (12,000–35,000 VND) — Saigon, Hanoi, Larue, Bia Hoi draft
Coffee (Vietnamese): $1–$2 USD (25,000–50,000 VND) — cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk)
🚗 Transport Costs
Airport transfer (Hanoi/Saigon): $10–$15 USD (250,000–380,000 VND) — taxi or Grab
Grab (ride-hailing): $0.50–$3 USD (12,000–75,000 VND) — short rides within cities
Bus (local): $0.30–$0.50 USD (7,000–12,000 VND) — within cities
Train (Hanoi–Saigon): $30–$50 USD (750,000–1,250,000 VND) — sleeper berth, 30+ hours
Bus (intercity): $10–$20 USD (250,000–500,000 VND) — overnight sleeper buses
Domestic flight: $50–$100+ USD (1,250,000–2,500,000+ VND) — depending on route and booking time
Motorbike rental: $5–$10 USD (125,000–250,000 VND) — per day, fuel extra
🎟️ Activities & Entry Fees
Museum entry: $1–$3 USD (25,000–75,000 VND) — most museums in Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang
Pagoda/temple: Free – $2 USD (50,000 VND) — most are free or ask for small donation
Ha Long Bay cruise (1 day): $30–$60 USD (750,000–1,500,000 VND) — includes lunch and activities
Hon Thom cable car: $30–$35 USD (700,000–850,000 VND) — round-trip, includes Aquatopia
VinWonders Phu Quoc: $38–$40 USD (950,000–1,000,000 VND) — theme park entry
Mud bath (Nha Trang): $10–$20 USD (250,000–500,000 VND) — depending on package
Snorkeling tour (Phu Quoc): $15–$30 USD (380,000–750,000 VND) — half-day, includes gear
You can check current ticket and activity prices on Trip.com before you go.
📱 SIM & Internet Costs
SIM card (30-day data plan): $5–$10 USD (125,000–250,000 VND) — 5–10 GB data, unlimited calls
eSIM (30 days): $8–$15 USD (200,000–380,000 VND) — convenient, no physical card needed
💰 Sample Daily Budgets (Per Person)
Backpacker ($25–$35/day):
- Accommodation: $10–$15 (hostel/budget hotel)
- Food: $5–$8 (street food, local eats)
- Transport: $2–$5 (buses, short Grab rides)
- Activities: $5–$10 (entry fees, one paid activity)
How much money to take to Vietnam can be a mid-range budget of $50–$70 per day.
This is the mid-range at $50–$70 per day.
- Accommodation: $25–$40 (mid-range hotel)
- Food: $10–$15 (local restaurants, some Western options)
- Transport: $5–$10 (Grab, occasional intercity bus)
- Activities: $10–$15 (tours, entry fees, experiences)
Luxury ($100–$150+/day):
- Accommodation: $60–$120+ (resort, boutique hotel)
- Food: $20–$40+ (fine dining, resort restaurants)
- Transport: $10–$20+ (private transfers, flights)
- Activities: $20–$40+ (private tours, premium experiences)
🏧 ATMs & Card Payments
ATMs: Widely available in cities and tourist areas. Most charge a fee of $1–$2 USD (25,000–50,000 VND) per withdrawal, plus your bank’s international fee. Withdrawal limits vary by bank (2,000,000–5,000,000 VND per transaction).
International banks with low/no fees: HSBC, Citi, Standard Chartered
Local banks with good coverage: Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank
Cards: Credit and debit cards are accepted at hotels, high-end restaurants, and large stores. Cash is still king for street food, taxis, and local shops. Always carry some cash.
💵 Bringing Cash: How Much in USD?
Recommended approach: Bring $100–$200 USD per person as emergency cash. Exchange it at gold shops or banks for better rates than airports. You can also use ATMs to withdraw VND as you go — better rates than exchanging physical cash in many cases.
Where to exchange: Banks and gold shops offer the best rates. Hotels and airports offer the worst rates.
📌 Money-Saving Tips
- Eat street food — it’s not just cheap, it’s often the best food in the country.
- Use Grab instead of taxis — cheaper and no haggling.
- Book tours and tickets online — often cheaper than buying at the counter, especially for VinWonders and Hon Thom.
- Travel in the shoulder season — March–May or September–November for lower prices and fewer crowds.
- Stay in mid-range hotels — the jump from budget to mid-range is small, but the quality increase is huge.
- Use local buses instead of tourist shuttles — a fraction of the price.
- Bargain at markets — but do it politely and don’t push too hard.
⚠️ Tipping in Vietnam
Tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam, but it’s appreciated. Here are general guidelines:
- Restaurants: 5–10% if service charge isn’t included. Many nicer places add a 5–10% service charge automatically — check the bill.
- Taxi drivers: Round up to the nearest 10,000–20,000 VND.
- Hotels: 20,000–50,000 VND for bellhops and housekeeping.
- Tours: 100,000–200,000 VND per person for a full-day tour guide.
💎 Final Verdict
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia’s best-value destinations. A comfortable mid-range trip costs – per day — less than most European or US cities. With careful planning, you can enjoy excellent food, great accommodation, and memorable activities without breaking the bank.
Once you’ve sorted your budget, the rest of Vietnam is waiting. Check out my detailed guides to Hon Thom Island, Sunset Town, and Grand World to start planning your trip.
🏨 Where to Stay & What to Pair It With
Once you’ve sorted your budget, it’s time to book your accommodation. You’ll find everything from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts across Vietnam — check hotels in Vietnam to compare prices and read guest reviews. For a broader overview, I’ve put together guides to the best hotels on Phu Quoc, best hotels in Da Nang, and best hotels in Nha Trang if you’re still deciding where to base yourself.
Pair your trip with a visit to Ngoc Hien Pearl Farm for a unique cultural experience, or Sim Sơn Winery for a taste of Phu Quoc’s famous sim wine. For a full day of adventure, combine it with VinWonders and Safari — the park is one of the island’s top attractions.
