Travel Tips

How Much Does a Trip to Vietnam Cost?

A two-week trip to Vietnam typically costs between about US$1,500 and US$3,000 per person for your time in the country, before international flights — roughly US$100–200 a day at a comfortable mid-range level. Backpackers can travel on US$30–45 a day (around US$650–900 for two weeks), while a higher-end trip with four- and five-star hotels and private transfers runs US$200–350 a day. Add US$600–950 for return flights from the US or Europe, US$25 for the e-visa and around US$50 for travel insurance.

Vietnam is one of the best-value countries in Asia: street food costs a few dollars and a smart hotel a fraction of what it would in Europe. What really moves your budget is the standard of hotel you choose and how many internal flights you take — the sights themselves are cheap. Here is where the money goes, line by line, and a sample two-week total at the end.

The short answer, by budget

Backpacker (about US$30–45 a day): hostels and guesthouses, street food, buses and trains. Two weeks in the country comes to roughly US$650–900 per person.

Mid-range (about US$100–200 a day): comfortable three-star and boutique hotels, a mix of restaurants and street food, a couple of internal flights and an overnight cruise. This is where most travellers land — roughly US$1,500–3,000 for two weeks.

Higher-end (about US$200–350+ a day): four- and five-star hotels, private cars and guides, and the better cabins on the bay. Two weeks runs from around US$3,000 upwards. All figures are per person and exclude international flights.

International flights

Your flights in and out are usually the single biggest line item and the most variable. Expect roughly US$600–950 for a return fare from the US or western Europe, and around AUD 700–1,200 from Australia. Booking two to three months ahead and avoiding the Tet holiday (late January to February) and the July–August peak makes a real difference to the price.

Accommodation

This is the biggest lever on your whole budget. Hostels and guesthouses run US$8–15 a night; a genuinely comfortable three-star or boutique hotel is US$35–60; and four- and five-star properties sit at US$150–300 and up. Vietnam's mid-range hotels are excellent value — you get far more for US$50 a night here than almost anywhere in Europe.

Food and drink

Eating is where Vietnam is astonishingly cheap. A bowl of pho or a banh mi from a street stall is US$2–4, so US$10–15 a day eats very well; sit-down restaurants aimed at visitors are US$15–30 a head. Budget around US$6–9 a day backpacking, US$20–30 mid-range, and US$40–60 if you want smarter dinners. A local beer is about a dollar and a Vietnamese coffee US$1–2.

Getting around

Two or three short internal flights — for example Hanoi to Da Nang and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City — cost about US$40–80 each and save whole days, which is why we build them into a two-week itinerary. Trains and sleeper buses are cheaper at US$15–40 but slow. A private car and driver for transfers and day trips adds US$40–100 a day, and a Grab or taxi across a city is only a dollar or two.

The Ha Long Bay cruise

The overnight cruise is usually the single biggest experience cost of the trip: about US$105 per person at the budget end, US$145–250 for a comfortable mid-range boat, and US$300 or more for the top tier on a two-day, one-night sailing. We break the tiers down in full in how much a Ha Long Bay cruise costs.

Activities and entrance fees

The sights themselves are cheap by Western standards. A rowing-boat trip through Trang An in Ninh Binh is about US$6–8, most museums and temples are US$2–5, the Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City are US$5–10 to enter, a Hoi An cooking class is US$25–40, and a guided Sapa trek is US$80–200. Across a two-week trip, budget somewhere around US$150–300 for activities and entrance fees.

The extras that add up

A few smaller costs round out the budget: the e-visa is US$25, travel insurance is around US$40–60, and an eSIM or local SIM card is US$5–15 for the trip. Tipping is not compulsory but a few dollars a day for guides, drivers and cruise crew is appreciated. And if you fancy one, a tailored suit in Hoi An is US$200–400.

A sample two-week budget

Put together for one person travelling mid-range for two weeks, excluding international flights, it looks roughly like this: about US$550 on hotels for twelve nights, US$180 for a one-night Ha Long Bay cruise, US$350 on food, US$250 on internal flights and transfers, US$200 on activities and entrance fees, and around US$150 on extras such as the visa, insurance, a SIM and tips.

That comes to roughly US$1,680 in the country, or about US$2,400–2,900 all-in once you add a return flight. A couple sharing rooms pays a little more than one person but far less than double each, which is why Vietnam works out so well for two travelling together.

How we keep the numbers honest

We are planners, not resellers, and we never take commission — so when we quote a trip, the price reflects the hotels, cruise and flights you actually get, with no hidden mark-up. We will build a two-week Vietnam trip to your budget, tell you honestly where spending a little more is worth it (the cruise, a couple of well-placed central hotels) and where it is not, and handle everything from arrival to departure. It is free, and there is no obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a two-week trip to Vietnam cost?

Roughly US$1,500–3,000 per person for your time in the country at a comfortable mid-range level, plus about US$600–950 for return flights. Backpackers can do it on around US$650–900 in-country, while a higher-end trip runs US$3,000 and up.

How much money do you need per day in Vietnam?

About US$30–45 a day backpacking, US$100–200 a day mid-range, and US$200 or more for a higher-end trip — before flights. Our guide to how much spending money you need covers day-to-day costs in more detail.

Is Vietnam expensive to travel in?

No — it is one of the best-value destinations in Asia. Food, transport and activities are cheap; the main costs are your international flights and how comfortable a hotel you choose.

How much does a Ha Long Bay cruise cost?

About US$105 per person at the budget end, US$145–250 for a mid-range boat, and US$300 or more for the top tier on a two-day, one-night trip. See how much a Ha Long Bay cruise costs for the full breakdown.

How much does a one-week trip to Vietnam cost?

Roughly half a two-week trip since you cover one region: around US$350–450 backpacking and US$800–1,200 mid-range for your time in the country, plus flights. Our guide to how many days you need helps you choose a length.