You may find you spend less in some places, but it also gives you a little wiggle room to spend more if needed elsewhere. You can get one ahead of time through the Vietnamese embassy in your country or through an online visa service. It cost us 230,000 VND ($10) each, and was so worth it. Its just as beautiful, so if you want to see those limestone karsts without hundreds of boats surrounding you, this is the way to go. Consider the following: Before you even start figuring out your anticipated average monthly cost in Vietnam, you need to set aside some money to cover the costs of actually moving there and getting set up in your first month. Do you want to buy travel insurance for your trip? And at the latter smaller property, we loved the eye-catching colourful tiles throughout and enjoyed a splash in the dinky pool. Bun cha is Hanois signature lunch fare a simple but hearty dish of pork served over Related Articles on Vietnam Photos of Ridiculous Things on Bikes in Vietnam. Check out other travel guides includingSoutheast Asia,Dubai,Jordan,Disneyland,Tokyo,Europe,Rome, andIreland. Make that a slightly larger apartment in an affluent neighborhood in Ho Chi Minh, and the cost will easily climb to 2 or 3 times higher ($500 to $1000). Now that you have the basic information, lets see in detail what is the cost of living in Vietnam. You will pay considerably less in the smaller cities and places off the tourist trail. Prices vary considerably in this country, and they don't usu The caves involved a 500-step climb so it may not be for everyone. I ate a protein/breakfast bar in the car right after I had my blood drawn and left the place, then I had some toast and a glass of juice when I got home. If you want something a little bigger or nicer, expect to pay closer to $1000. For regular canned/bottled beers, the price is still surprisingly low. Saigon Pho Trail: $55 per person. Miss Lys well-known spot in Hoi An was a noteworthy place to try these. (Confession: its the food. What is the best way to get around Vietnam? Internet is often included in the apartment rental fee. A couple of evenings we fancied some Western food. Danang: We continued with a slightly increased budget here, and spent $49 a night at this stylish beachfront property in a bright and airy Superior double. If thats the case, there are several options available for you. I should know: Ive spent a almost full year travelling across this country, making my way from the very top to its southernmost point and exploring a hell of a lot along the way. I personally recommend spending a bit more on these cruises as you really do get what you pay for. The cost of your first month of accommodation plus a 1-2 month deposit. If you have the right credit card, you can save a fair amount of money on hotels. We stopped at outposts in Hanoi and Saigon. Keep an eye out for 2 for 1 deals we found them a great way to be able to sample drinks we may not have done otherwise. Nice and pleasant offers start at 0 - 0 USD per night. Renting a motorbike can cost about$40(1,000,000) and up per month with a deposit of anywhere from$40-200. This was an eye-opening and moving experience. The gas for your motorbike or car is not too expensive, too, at about$1 per litre. Bai Tu Long Bay: Boat time! Thanks a lot friend. Additionally, if you are already in SE Asia there are many places in Thailand and Laos that can help set you up with a visa as well. To put things in perspective, the average income for local Vietnamese is only $300 per month. There were so many places offering spa services, so we shopped around. Now after reading your article I think it is doable but with caution. Hoa Lo prison, Hanoi (pay at the entrance): 30,000 VND per person (approximately $1.50). Travel insurance: If youve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, youll know that Im a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. Vietnam is known for its food, especially dishes like Pho which is a Vietnamese noodle soup. The property is outside the centre of town on a quiet residential stretch. Almost all apartments and housing in Vietnam have this installed and ready to go when you move in. It may also be worth seeing if you can fly into one and out of the other to save you the time of having to backtrack to your starting destination. I'm Lauren and I've been travelling the world on a permanent basis since 2011. I useSafetyWingas my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Vietnam. Vietnam is one of the greatest countries in the world. The average bowl of noodle soup is under 4 Ringget We paid $39 per night and were very happy. Getting to and from Halong Bay will be included in the price of the Halong Bay cruise that I have included in the itinerary. The chocolate and coconut version was equally delicious too. With that in mind, I suggest budgeting for street food type food (pork and noodles in broth, banh mi) for breakfast and lunch, and spending a bit more for dinner which means your Insider tip: If you want custom clothing, allow for at least three days in Hoi An and visit the tailor first thing to get your purchase on time. But cold beer is widely available from shops when youre out, so it isnt really necessary to do this. And a super friendly pair of guides. Breakfast wasnt included here, but we knew wed be eating on our floating market trip. Its also about the same cost as visiting Cambodia. That cost us 195,000 VND (about $8.50) per person. I often book activities and transport online, but generally have found that local travel agents offer cheaper prices. Wish the beer is as cheap as $0.05 though! 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The scenery was amazing in Sapa and the Muong Hoa Valley: rice fields, terraces, tea plants, and lush greenery. Studio or Apartment ( 55m2) from 300 per month. So tasty, and only around 92,000 VND ($4) a portion. If you are travelling as a couple, make sure to double these estimates (except for hotels). I can not see sitting in economy for 20 plus hours and premium economy(oxymoron) is 2-3 times the price of an economy ticket and business class with the nice lay down seats are out of most peoples price range. Just 23,000 VND ($1) a portion in general. More on the details in the activity section. To put things in perspective, the average income for local Vietnamese is only $300 per month. Korean or Japanese restaurant from 300.000 VND per person. Where Ive mentioned bikes, these were complimentary with our hotel stay. After all you are already there. When it comes to private rooms in hostels, you can expect to spend around$10 a nightfor a clean, basic room in a good location, so if youre travelling with friends or with your partner, you may find it cheaper to grab some privacy over settling for two beds in a dorm room. It was bustling, atmospheric, and within ambling distance of most attractions. Its worked flawlessly for me and now, Ill never go back to physical SIM cards. We really loved that meal. Going forward, whenever I mention breakfast, you can assume it was part of the rate. One word: loved! ANy time youre able to slow travel, your cost per day tends to drop. Terms of Use and The most common food delivery apps in Vietnam are ShopeeFood, Baemin, Grab Food, and Go Food. Pho has exploded into the mainstream in recent years, nudging ramen aside and taking its place firmly in the hearts of Asian foodies worldwide and as you might expect, its ubiquitous across Vietnam. Theyve got buses, trains, and private transport listed, and its usually only a dollar or two more than youll pay in person, so its definitely worth checking out. We loved our night there and would wholeheartedly recommend it. The former jail was used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for US Prisoners of War during the Vietnam War. Thats enough points for a few free nights at some hotels which could easily have a value of over $500. Ive just finished up a month-long trip to Da Nang in September 2022, and had the best time. Average housing prices in the range of 0 - 0 USD and not really make sense, as already nice and elegant hotel you can find for 0 USD, More: Food prices in Mui Ne, Attractions, souvenirs, clothing, 2020 www.globalprice.info Price guide for cities and countries around the world, travel tips and tricks, I am a supplier of different kinds of ice cream. There was a roof terrace for drinks and excellent local food, and complimentary bicycles. You cant drink water out of the tap in Vietnam (unless you get some filters installed). Your use of this service is subject to our I think that if I am going far that I would probably extend my stay by stopping on the way there and back. Hi! Crazy House, Dalat (pay at the entrance): 40,000 VND per person (approximately $1.75). Specifically: buying a local SIM card so that I have data to use while Im in the country. For instance, we enjoyed an early dinner at the Pub with Cold Beer. We were really pleased we chose to cycle out to the river and the Trang An caves. In fact, there were even more zipping about down south. Its very affordable though, at about $.50-$3 per 20L, and you can have the water vendor or your building management deliver one to your door whenever you need it. Most people in Vietnam usually cook breakfast and dinner at home but often eat out so this section covers both options. Do try the rice wine happy water Mao offers at dinnertime it was potent, reminding us a bit of sake. We hope weve covered everything clearly. Our advice? I always recommend buying your tickets and tours in advance through Klook as you can often save a bit of money and skip the lines. We were there to get out and about on bikes, so the quiet location worked well for us. A new one can cost $80 for cheaper ones, $120 for decent mountain bikes, and $200+ for good road bikes. Shuttle bus from Can Tho to Ha Tien: $6 per person. Is there any chance you can email me a recruiting agency ? Okay, so after adding everything up, here are costs per person: Grand total spent in Vietnam: $41 per person per day. A food and walking tour highlighting the real Ho Chi Minh City. Trains are an alternative (12Go is a top website for those, too), and Grab was available in Hanoi, Danang and Saigon. Expect to pay $1-$2for a dish fromstreet vendors,which you can in almost any commercial or residential area. Reminder: Ive excluded the Sapa and Bai Tu Long Bay tours from my calculations because I included them in the accommodation costs above. You can expect funky monochrome decor and air-con. If working in the country, you should definitely make enough to send money out of Vietnam! We cycled from our homestay through paddy fields which was fab. One portion and a beer came in at 85,000 VND (around $4). And the ethos was ethical, sustainable and local, which got a thumbs up from us. And finally, what better to wash all these delicious meals down than an ice-cold beer? These includeGrab and GoJek for both car and motorbikes services. Locals eat Pho, Banh Mi, Hu Tieu, Banh Can and Banh Beo etc for breakfast. It's never more than 2 $ for a good breakfast including an ice coffee. W But of course, at the moment, like everywhere else in the world, the oil prices are quite high, which is affecting other services and products as well. Nem Nuong: pork sausage meat, greens, pickled veg, rice noodles and rice paper a DIY meal where we wrapped the ingredients in the rice paper. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Steaming bowls of noodle soup, super-fresh seafood, spring rolls packed with herbs and spices, and mouth-watering sauces abound in all levels of Vietnamese cuisine from the street-side snack carts to high-end restaurants. For a new motorcycle, expect to pay around $1800. If you are looking to live a low-budget lifestyle, you can easily get by on US$500 per month, or even lower if you are extra frugal. Ninh Binh: Just a couple of hours south of Hanoi we reached Ninh Binh, and this rather lovely homestay. N.B. They cost about 100,000 each (approximately $4). Many travellers and expats in Vietnam assured me that Vietnam is very cheap surely this is one of the topreasons to move to Vietnam. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get a FREE copy of Travel Hacking for Lazy People, Subscribe now to get your FREE eBook and learn how to travel in luxury for less, If youre Canadian, you may want to consider applying for one of the, to help offset your costs by collecting points. Trusted Housesittersis the best site for getting started with housesitting, as they have the highest number of listings. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2022 All rights reserved. I useHostelWorldto find the cheapest hostels, as they tend to have the greatest number of listings at the lowest prices. It put us to shame. So, Ho Chi Minh City to Hue (Danang Airport), Hue to Hanoi, then Hanoi back to Ho Chi Minh City for your return flight (or vice versa if you are starting and ending in Hanoi). The electricity cost in Vietnam is about3,000-4,500 VND per KW. Your use of this service is subject to our. Exchange rates accurate as of 27 July 2016. At Trang An, we jumped aboard a small boat just before 4pm; it was quiet on the water. Privacy Policy. For example, the American Express Platinum Card gives you a generous welcome bonus thats often worth more than $900 (potentially more if you transfer your points to Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy). Or do you want to live in a fancy villa or apartment with sea view and swimming pool? Run by a family of four, the hospitality was first-rate, and our room was large, with pretty views out to the mountains. Its no surprise that food delivery apps have caught on in Vietnam, and this trend was of course increased due to COVID. There are other modes of transport if buses arent for you. Traveling between cities, buses and trains are very common, as it is a long and skinny country. However, watch out for scam/unlicensed mototaxis posing as Grab and others to con tourists. We shared, and paid 80,000 VND each (about $3.50). And even 5* accommodation doesnt cost an arm and a leg much less than a hotel room in Western Europe, Australasia or the USA, for example. Located off the beaten path a little (about 15 minutes from the centre of town), this peaceful hideaway was set among lush greenery and rice paddies, and came complete with a swimming pool, wonderful views, complimentary bikes, tasty food, and quaffable fishbowl gin and tonics. Average daily drink cost: $4.82 per day, or $2.41 each. But if thats not your thing, or you prefer the peace of mind of having things booked in advance, online booking works well, too. In Saigon, we visited Pasteur Street Brewing, where a bottle was 70,000 VND (approximately $3). There is a big chance you will be stuck in traffic a lot of the time, especially if you plan to use this when going to work. From Da Nang to Nha Trang, there are multiple ways to get around. Frequently asked questions about E-visa in Vietnam. Vietnam was excellent value for money, and a highlight of our year. Youll pay$4.50 for 1 GB of datafor Vietnam and can also top-up through the Airalo app. This is one of the areas where its really easy to save or, if you feel like it, splurge a little. To get the best deal, start shopping in advance and avoid the main holiday season. House with 4 or more rooms from 800 per month. Almost everybody these days is familiar with the steaming, flavoursome broth, meat, fresh herbs and flat rice noodles that constitute pho. That said, using some of my tips in this article, you can further reduce these estimated costs even more. We highly recommend you try it. The price varied from 2-4k depending on Hotel choices and flights inside Vietnam. We loved Bun Cha Ta in Hanoi. $25 a nightwill get you an exceptionally well-reviewed private room in a hostel or hotel. If you decide to get custom clothing made in Hoi An, do some research ahead of time. Theres also the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card that has no foreign transaction fees, and it comes with airport lounge access. Amongst the highlights of any trip to Vietnam is undoubtedly the food. Remember that you must have a valid international license and local insurance to drive a motorcycle in Vietnam legally. Hoi An beach walk: Cua Dai. And as long as youre not frequenting swanky sky-bars or eating in your hotel every night, the cost of food in Vietnam is almost always criminally cheap, faultlessly fresh, and tongue-tinglingly tasty. Bought by the bag or the plate, these are a super-cheap and super-tasty snack. Who knew very drinkable wine was made in Dalat?! Its a pretty cheap country. The breakfast buffet was varied and staff were incredibly helpful, going above and beyond to help us with forthcoming bookings. Ive rented apartments with local families in lesser-known neighbourhoods, diligently worked my way through every street food cart in the area, then partied my way through all of the best backpacker haunts. We paid $55 per person for a one-night stay in Maos home. In terms of getting around the country, you have a few options. If yes, you can expect to pay around $200 deposit plus the first months rental fee ($40) and gas ($10). We made the most of the glorious rooftop pool and terrace and the plentiful breakfast buffet. One amazing thing about Vietnam is that the eating out can be practically as cheap and buying groceries yourself and cooking at home. Be careful with the 20,000 and 500,000 notes, though they look very similar and could make for quite the expensive mistake! Another lovely stretch; keep an eye out for colourful crabs scurrying along. The amount will of course depend on how much the apartments monthly rental rate is. Head to posh bars and luxury restaurants where the dcor is sleek and stylish and youll be paying more for the surroundings than for the food and drink you can get excellent quality stuff for much lower prices. Learn how your comment data is processed. For the purpose of this article, I am going to suggest a two-week itinerary to see the highlights of Vietnam. Wherever we visit, we put a lot of research time into where to eat and what dishes we should try. Tell us your opinion about crime in Dallas, TX. Watch your head in some of the caves they were low. Flavourful, packed a spice punch, and totally delicious. We thought the price offered excellent value for money, when you coupled all of the food with the guided aspect. For example, Phong Nha is famous for caves, but we opted for a bike ride into the countryside instead. If you are looking to live a low-budget lifestyle, you can easily get by on US$500 per See these and others in our list ofphone apps you can use in Vietnam. So scenic, not too difficult, and two great places to stop for a beer and food always a bonus! If youre Canadian, you may want to consider applying for one of the best travel credit cards in Canada to help offset your costs by collecting points. If you fancy pushing the boat out and bagging a balcony and a larger room, a suite was just $60 per night. After an overnight train ride northwards from Hanoi, we were met by Maos sister-in-law. As for Vietnam / Southeast Asia, its not that difficult to do on your own. We split our time here: three nights a short cycle from lovely Cua Dai beach at this contemporary hotel with a pool overlooking the Co Co river (we paid $31 per night), and two nights in the Ancient Town at this snazzy spot where we paid $22 per night. We made a few stops along the way and helped to row for some of the trip. Generally, it will becheaper in smaller cities/townslike Da Lat, Phong Nha, and Ninh Binh. Granted, the price differences arent huge but budget backpackers will notice the difference. Places to stay in Vietnam are excellent value. Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model: Copyright 2009-2022 Numbeo. We only found this sold in the capital, out of big freezer chests. Found your article very informative. The cuisine in Vietnam is the highlight for many. So we opted for a lower end of the price bracket option. Our cost came in at $144 per person, but that did include transfers, separate excursions off the boat, and food. OUR TOTAL COST OF ACCOMMODATION IN VIETNAM CAME TO $1178. For example during TET (Lunar New Year), the prices are higher. For example, if you stay in an apartment that costs $400 per month, you will need to pay $800-1200 right off the bat. I have been looking at going to Vietnam. Also note that Uber is no longer operating in Vietnam. We have listed ways to find an ESL job here: https://movetovietnam.com/teaching-english-in-vietnam-you-need-to-know/#tab-con-7. We sipped on plenty of bottled water which was dirt cheap, plus beers, and the odd cocktail here and there. Our treatment also included a quick neck and back massage, and a pedicure for me. So Ill calculate for the remaining days. And frankly, itll often be the best, too! We generally found these to be clean, efficient and comfortable. In the north, the rice fields of Sapa are well known as a hiking destination and Halong Bay is an iconic Vietnamese location that definitely should be on your must-see list. Im suspecting, though, that for most of you, youre not interested in the free accommodation and just want somewhere clean, safe, and affordable to rest your head each night. Each one has different ups and downs and is more or less common in different areas, so its best to try each one and see which you like. It also depends on what lifestyle you are planning to have. Hi Barry See our detailed guide to the. To give you an idea of just how cheap, weve put together a list of some of our favourite dishes and how much you can expect to pay for them. Rental Price in Vietnam. Hoi An, an ancient city in Vietnam, is known for custom tailoring businesses where you can get custom suits, dresses, shirts, jackets, and even shoes made for you in just a couple of days. That way, our first meal of the day was covered by what was without exception a first-rate buffet, often with eggs made-to-order any which way we preferred. Theminimum length of contract for renting most apartments is 6 months, while is itvery normalthat a landlord may ask you to signa year-long contract. This is buying in local markets or in the supermarket chain VinMart, consuming mostly local products and limiting imported products to 10% of the cart. Hiring local guides is inexpensive and if you wanted to join a tour group, just find a tour operator which caters to your age demographic / travel style. Your email address will not be published. Depending on the cities these prices will also vary but, as a general reference, we could say that the minimum rental prices in Vietnam in 2020 are the Depending on the cities these prices will also vary but, as a general reference, we could say that the minimum rental prices in Vietnam in 2020 are the following: NOTE: In order to legally rent a home to a foreigner, the property must have a fire certificate (PPPC). Every month, you can purchase 28 GB of mobile data for $6 (120,000 CND). Just to let you know, it was communal dining, which some people like, and others dont. Theres locating a store that will sell you one, language barriers to deal with, various forms of ID you might need to bring, scams to navigate, and well, its a headache. And it was a really juicy burger. With SafetyWing, youll pay$1.50 a dayfor travel insurance. I suggest the train as it is a little safer, but it is more expensive and you also need to take a shuttle bus for the last leg (about 1 hour). Learn how your comment data is processed. The cities with the most foreigners are Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, Can Tho, Hai Phong, Dong Hoi, Phu Quoc and Quy Nhon. With delicious food, a rich history, and stunning scenery, Vietnam is one of the most popular destinations in Asia. This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed. I belive your guide helps lots of people during their travel preparation phase. It was peaceful, picturesque, and a world away from busy Hanoi. The hospitality was warm, and the family were generous with their time. We travelled as a family of 5 and spent $35 (700,000 dong) total on an evening meal - 7 dishes, beers for adults, soft drinks for kids. Our older c These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it. We stopped at a cricket farm, the Elephant Falls, a silk factory, a coffee plant, and wandered around a local market sampling bits and pieces. Staff were kind and amiable at each property, helping us book tours and onward transport. Vietnam is an amazing country and one of the most affordable places for budget travellers. Its best for long-term travellers or retirees as you cant pick and choose dates and destinations, so you need to have a lot of flexibility as to where you go and at what time of year. A while later, a BBQed, spatchcocked bird appeared smelling wonderful. Plus, we were just a 20-minute ride to the sea. is, Taxi for the whole day to the Baloven Plato costs, National Park is "Phong Nha" and back, 40 km from Danghoy, From Phan Thiet to Ho Chi Minh city, 5 hours, Ticket to the Museum of Ho Chi Minh city costs, Burger with ham and egg (in eatery for locals), Seafood spaghetti (in a cafe for tourists). Another fab food tour, guided by two local girls. For free! We chose a two days/one night trip here. The company was also very accommodating when we nearly missed the bus. Dalat: We mixed things up here with this boutique apartment. We saw untold wonderful sights, ate incredibly well, and stayed at a range of quality accommodation. At the time of writing this, in 2022, $1 equates to around 23,000 VND. Make sure your phone is eSIM-compatible before buying all recent iPhones and many Androids are. Also the itineraries are quite busy with little free time in each city. On Never Ending Footsteps, I aim to show you how you can explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. Americans should strongly consider the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card since you can earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and $300 back at U.S. restaurants as a welcome bonus.Canadians should consider the Marriott Bonvoy American Express which gives you up to 55,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. See our more detailed guide totransportation in Vietnamfor some ideas on how you can get around the city or in the country, as this is going to depend on various factors. A single person estimated monthly For a reliable, quality, and ethical tailor I recommend BeBe tailors. But that price also covered a two-day excursion. At the former, our room was spacious, clean, and it was fab to have a balcony. I thought they were reasonable. However, after I actually moved to Vietnam, I realized that Vietnam CAN BE very cheap, but not quite as cheap as I expected. You can also use car services such as Uber or Grab Car in parts of Vietnam. Thanks again! Its all about balance. The single largest expense in your monthly cost of living in Vietnam is probably going to be your apartment, so this is a good place to start when making your calculations. Many motorbike repair shops sell secondhand motorbikes. But equally, Ive also found some lesser-known and free things to do along the way that Ill be mentioning as well. Order your regular bottled beers and youll already be paying under the odds, but plump for the local fresh brew, bia hoi, and youll be paying pittance. Vietnams cost of living may seem very cheap or not so cheap depending on where youre coming from (I happen to have lived in a country thats even cheaper before). Low prices start at 0 - 0 USD per night. If you want more luxurious or international food in the big cities (groceries or restaurants), of course youre going to have to pay quite a bit more for it. There are a couple of caveats to this list: for starters, remember that how much you pay for something will depend entirely on where you eat it and higher prices do not necessarily indicate better quality. There may be a bit of a learning curve in terms of whats what and how to cook using local ingredients, but theres no better way to learn about the local culture than eating like them. She also runs two travel blogs, Eat Sleep Breathe Travel and Ireland Stole My Heart. Per my doctor's instructions, I didn't eat breakfast before going in. Vietnamese cafe Nha-trang Prices for food in cafes and restaurants Pancake with seafood, small 0,16 USD = 4 000 VND Burger with ham and egg (in eatery for locals) 0,62 USD = 15 000 VND Some tailors operate as sweatshops, so do your research (I recommend BeBe Tailor if you need a suggestion). Travel insurancewill cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. Lunch is usually Pho and coke for about $2.00 and dinner is usually at This could cost you about 1,200,000 VND ($50) per month. Booze lovers rejoice: beer is extremely cheap in Vietnam. Mid-range properties were super-reasonably priced. Tip: dont buy your ticket from the office, go directly to a shuttle and ask a driver for a price they charged us less than what was quoted inside. If you are looking for recommendations, I suggest the following: If you have the right credit card, you can save a fair amount of money on hotels. As I mentioned above, it is normal for landlords to take a deposit equivalent to 1 or 2 months of rent right at the beginning, on top of the first months rent. The average we paid for this scrummy dish was 90,000 VND ($4) per portion. For the most part, we stayed in hotels and guesthouses and picked places where breakfast was included. Mekong Delta boat ride: $18 per person. At the luxury end, if you live in a fancy villa with a private pool and only dine at the finest establishments, you could spend upwards of $4000 per month. The average apartment in the city center costs around $500-700 per month. We wandered our way around the Old Quarter sampling delights such as Bun Cha, egg coffee (nicer than it sounds! A large plate of fish, prawns, clams and squid would probably be accompanied by a variety of rice and vegetable dishes, sauces, toppings and herbs, and shared amongst the table. As a general rule, the largest and most developed cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) or Hanoi, tend to be a little more expensive than the rest, especially when it comes to rent, leisure and food. This is most notable when you compare the prices in Vietnam to those in more popular and bigger Thai cities, such asBangkokor Chaing Mai, but many travellers say that Vietnam is even cheaper than rural Thailand. Many travellers in the past have reported feeling sick while on board as some of Vietnams roads can be a little intense. How much does it cost to fill the shopping cart in Vietnam? If, however, you break into a sweat when you think about masterfully haggling with the experts, 12Go Asia is my go-to site for booking overland travel in Southeast Asia. Our boat Viola was striking yet comfortable a traditional wooden vessel with 16 cabins featuring dark wood and large windows. For example, we had a yummy pizza each at Fatfish in Danang. If you cook for yourself, you can spend as little as $1 or 2 on a meal. Dont book online, ask your hotel for a tour recommendation. With that in mind, I have estimated international airfare to cost approximately $800 per person, though travellers from the west coast of North America can expect to pay less. We like to taste local specialities, and so we kept our ear out for recommendations. A baguette (Viet style much lighter than the French version) filled with BBQ pork, pate, herbs, chilli, and pickled veg. They work quickly, but you also want to make sure you give them adequate time for fittings. Alternatively, beer is relatively inexpensive. For lunch, I had Deep Fried Chicken with Fried Rice. Really appreciate the details on living in Vietnam. I recommending using Skyscanners flight comparison search engine to find the very best deals. Thanks for the detailed breakdown of living costs in Vietnam. If there's an untouched beach, an up-and-coming city, or a recently-discovered travel hack, you can bet that we've already written about it. There are a lot of buffets in Nha Trang. However, the alternative is often night buses for any longer journeys and those have very mixed reviews. These little prawn fritters are a common snack in Hanoi youre less likely to find them in the south. Ive spent months living in Hanoi and Saigon, and celebrated birthdays in Hoi An and Mui Ne. You can also gets daily guides for however many days you stay in an area and they ranged from 50-100 USD depending on the tour.. What I find with this approach is that they keep sending you emails reminding you that your trip is ready to approve. Thank you all friends for all the help & ideas And from Hoi An to Dalat, we changed vehicles in Nha Trang (but did get to see a lovely sunrise at the beach there). As a foreigner you only have the right to use apartments or condominiums. Actually, one interesting fact about Vietnam is that bia hoi qualifies as the cheapest beer in the world. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment. Despite its popularity, if you want to find the real deal, you have to head to Vietnam. On the other hand, in Dalat, in my two-bedroom apartment for two people, with an electric stovetop, big fridge, hot water machine (to turn on about 15-minutes before you jump in the shower then off), and two computers/laptops running nearly all day, but not using AC as much because it is cooler here the electricity costs about 600,000 VND ($30) per month. It cost us around 8,000 VND (35 cents) a glass. Vietnam is quite far from North America and the costs can be quite high. For us, the historic centre was definitely the best area to stay in. And we couldnt find fault with this virtually riverside boutique hostel, where we paid just $20 per night. Its literally cheaper than water. Please note that this guide is based on the costs for a single person. Com Ga: chicken and rice. There were also tons of free activities we enjoyed. In short, if you cant afford travel insurance, you cant afford to travel. A roundtrip ticket with a sleeping berth shouldnt cost you more than $100 (this includes buying the mini-bus ticket when you arrive). The cost of living in Vietnam varies depending on the city or province you decide to move to, but generally speaking, as a foreigner, it is possible to live in any province or city in Vietnam with approximately 600 per month per person. Like I said, we cant talk highly enough of the Vietnamese cuisine. The Vietnamese eat pho for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so order it whenever and wherever you want. If your landlord is charging you more than this, something is definitely not right. She also gave us recommendations for other restaurants to try (Pho 10 below). A 2nd hand motorcycle is from 5 million VND, Music Festival Ticket from 400.000 VND per day, Cinema with popcorn and drink from 200.000 VND per person, Street attractions for children from 15.000 VND /trip, Spa Circuit (Massage + Sauna + Hydromassage) from 300.000 VND /hour. Because motorbikes are so convenient, many expats buy or rent one for getting around in Vietnam. It was an early start down to the water where we took a boat tour to the Cai Rang Floating Market. Mr Rots Secret Tour in Dalat: $35 per person. Mr Rot also owns a reasonably priced hotel, if you fancy keeping costs down. So, Id estimate about $20 USD per day for all of your meals and drinking water. SIM cards are very cheap in Vietnam. To really cut costs, you can stock up on beer at grocery stores. You will need this to register your motorbike in your name. We recommend taking this online TEFL course before you go! The above estimate is in US dollars, so please useXE.comto find out the average costs with the exchange rate in your home country. You can check some famous supermarkets websites in Vietnam to see the price for yourself. Situated just outside the National Park and the caves the area is famous for, we enjoyed sitting al fresco watching the sunset, sipping on a drink with a plate of crispy spring rolls to munch on. Ive seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. When it comes to random spending in Vietnam, your expenses wont be very high. A quick housekeeping point before we continue: everything in the post I paid for myself as always, this is a comp- and press trip-free article. In DaNang that runs me less than $2.00. Do you plan to travel around and/or party every weekend? This often includes a monthly check on your bike and basic repairs. So much tasty food! They can be super handy for those who dont want to buy their own motorcycle. For as little as$25,you can buy asecond-hand bicycle in Vietnam. Make sure to see our related guide to finding an apartment or house in Vietnamto help you with this process. We rode out to An Bang beach for our first stop and then made our way back to the Old Town, stopping along the way. It was a lovely way to spend a few hours. If youre Canadian, you may want to consider applying for one of thebest travel credit cards in Canadato help offset your costs by collecting points. So, how much does it cost to go to Vietnam? And yes, that is definitely a typo! Are you going to be buying groceries or eating cheap food on the streets every day, like locals do, or will you sometimes dine at fancier or Western places? For a two-week trip, your Vietnam travel budget should be about $2,530 per person based on my suggestions and itinerary as indicated above. If you want Western items or need specific ingredients for preparing a dish you miss from home, you may be able to find them at specialty grocery stores in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, but it will most definitely cost you more. Ive travelled solo in the country, with my boyfriend and with friends, and even spent a month showing my boyfriends parents around the country. Yep, thats the name of the currency here: the Vietnamese Dong, and youll find yourself with plenty of opportunity to make jokes about it. There were also some well-known activities that we chose not to do, because of personal preference. Bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh: $7 per person, Bus from Ninh Binh to Phong Nha: $12 per person, Bus from Phong Nha to Danang: $12 per person, Local bus from Danang to Hoi An: $1 per person, Bus from Saigon to Can Tho: $6 per person. Well, that brings us to the end of our guide to the cost of living in Vietnam. For two weeks in Vietnam (assuming you are flying rather than relying on the overnight buses), you can expect to pay about $550. Ho Chi Minh City will probably be the cheapest to fly into, but dont forget to check flights to Hanoi as well. Room in Shared House from 150 per month. But even so, the number of concerts and festivals increases in quality and quantity every year. We paid $26 a night and were impressed. Daily Travel Expenses in Vietnam: $24 / 18 / 22. We also enjoyed a lunch pitstop with a fun fruit tasting, and then came the secret aspect. Let's start creating your own professional resume. Since this is what I did, Ive detailed my monthly expenses in the above table. The electricity prices go up depending on the seasons, too. The family even invited us to join them one night for a home-cooked meal an unexpected and kind gesture that we took them up on. Enough money to live on until you get your first pay check, that is, if you are planning on. Swallow's Nest (edible birds' nests, a delicacy), Minimum prices for small rooms with a view from the windows, air conditioning, internet access and daily housekeeping. To get to Sapa you will need to take either an overnight train or a bus from Hanoi. Comparisons improve with every new data that you enter. On the budget end, for example, a studio, mini loft studio, or shared apartment in Dalat or Mui Ne costs about 3,500,000 to 4,500,000 VND ($150 to $200) but in Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, that same kind of housing could cost 5,000,000 to 7,000,000 VND ($250 to $350). There are a number of different cruise companies offering different activities and different levels of comfort. Vietnam also has good international restaurants but these are usually quite expensive. I usually travel on a mid-range budget in Vietnam, along with occasional splurges, and often average around $50 Ive managed to get by on $10 a day when I was a tight backpacker, and splurged on a five-star hotel and been blown away by how much $100 a night can get you. The cost of living in Vietnam depends onwhich city you want to live in. As always with travel, its possible to cut your accommodation costs down to zero if you have the time and patience to seek out an offer. The actual cost of living in Vietnam is of course going to vary quite a bit depending on the lifestyle choices you make. Create email alert and get first jobs that arrived. Phong Nha: We pushed the boat out in Central Vietnam for us anyway and spent $61 a night. Motorcycle: The most popular means of transport among locals. Today, I want to focus on what youll pay for all of this magic. Some had reclining seats that were bedlike, for longer journeys. To learn more about local food, see our guide to the most common Vietnamese foods. The first of these arehostels. Lets get started. From the awe-inspiring views up in Sapa and the tranquillity of Ninh Binh, to the beauty of Hoi An, the scenery at Halong Bay, and the chaos of Saigon, Vietnam offers something for everyone. They are called different things depending on the region they come from, the ingredients they contain, and the kind of sauces and condiments theyre served with. Trang An caves, Ninh Binh (pay at entrance): 200,000 VND per person (approximately $8.50). I'm here to help you explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. The popular overnight trips to Halong Bay and multi-day trips to Sapa can range in price greatly, and often the cheap versions are great, though its always a bit of a crap-shoot. We saw and did a lot in Vietnam, ranging from rice paddy walks and scenic boat rides to food tours. We usually plan all our travel but going to Southeast Asia I was a little concerned. In some smaller cities, the cost of electricity may even be included in your rental cost. I like 2 eggs, bread, meat, and patatoes or rice and 2 cups of Vietnamese Coffee. This website is the result of tens of thousands of hours of on-the-ground research by myself and my team of expert travellers. In the cities, I suggest walking as much as possible as the transit systems (if available) can be confusing. You may be surprised at how inexpensive it can be since Vietnam is one of the most visited destinations in Southeast Asia. However, I also recognize that for some meals, especially dinners, a proper sit-down at a local restaurant is a nice option. Numbeo lists Vietnam as the 88th in the world in terms of cost of living, similar to Mexico or Poland. Saigon foot scrub: $15 per person. Just a five-minute walk from Hoan Kiem Lake and tons of restaurants and bars, our superior double was spacious and modern, with wooden floors, splashes of colour throughout, and a feature wall. Below Ill give you a breakdown of the costs if living in Vietnam, from initial costs of moving to accommodation, utilities, food, transportation, and entertainment. The fastest and most comfortable way to travel around Vietnam is by plane. I wont reveal what that was it was worth it though. Then finished dinner with Grilled Fish (Snakehead) Spring Roll.The whole day of eating in Vietnam for around $6.20 USD.This is my real food expenses or the cost of living in Vietnam. The costs of internet service here are quite cheap, to the point that when the apartment or house is vacant, owners often dont even bother having it removed or turned off. You can expect there to be a small fee for delivery, or no fee, but the prices will be a little higher than if you go to the restaurant in person. Filling the shopping basket in Vietnam costs about 200 per month per person. Really, for the prices we paid, we couldnt complain. We paid $35 per night and thought that was excellent value for money. Tough, but totally worth it for the amazing and far-reaching vistas. Hanoi: Our stay at this contemporary hotel in the Old Quarter cost us $18 a night, and we cant speak highly enough of this gem. Bus: Buses are fast, comfortable, cheap and represent the most sustainable public transport option which only costs around 5-10.000 VND. See our other articles about health check and insurance in Vietnam to know more about health-related issues when coming to the country. Id say an extra $100 is more than enough for some small souvenirs, laundry, snacks and drinks. Hoi An: Just 45 minutes southwards on that bus we were advised about, we reached our next stop. Simple yet delicious, and cheap at around 46,000 VND ($2) per portion. Finally, I highly recommend taking a Halong Bay cruise. Just a couple of minutes walk from the white sands of My Khe beach and about 25 from the famous Dragon Bridge, this spot offered us the best of both worlds. So I'm do this video to share with you exactly how much it cost for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Vietnam.Breakfast, I had Vietnamese Beef Stew Pho Noodle Soup (Pho Bo Kho). Finally, theyre more affordable than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated. If products imported from Europe, Oceania, Africa or America are purchased, the price of the basket can easily triple. Just be prepare for some crowds and getting stuck in city traffic. As with anywhere, you can pay a lot more than weve suggested and you can probably find it cheaper too, from markets and street food carts. Heavenly, and totally worth it. Beef pho at Pho 10 in Hanoi. Keep in mind that sometimes the buses take less time than advised and you may have to swap buses, which youre not always pre-informed about. Sapa walking and homestay with Mao and family: $55 per person (two days, one night). Told you there was a lot of food! These are some of the prices related to leisure: The cultural/musical leisure offer in Vietnam is still not very wide, especially outside the big cities. Typically, fried spring rolls are more expensive than fresh and with fresh, youll often be given a plate of ingredients and construct your own. I always useBooking, as they have the most accommodation options for the cheapest prices. The food is delicious, changes across the country, and is incredibly affordable. It was made of coconut milk whizzed up with crushed ice and coffee. We wouldnt necessarily have known to go into some of the places, and it was lovely to be led by someone with first-hand knowledge of the city. We were lucky: the boat wasnt full, so we managed to bag an upgrade to the Honeymoon suite with a balcony to admire the spectacular scenery from. Bun Cha: a tangy broth, with chargrilled pork patties, rice noodles, fresh vegetables and herbs. Housesittingis a great option for free accommodation. Hopefully this article has provided you the information you needed about the cost of living in Vietnam. This was our travel budget for two weeks backpacking in Vietnam. Banh mi come in many shapes and sizes, and usually incorporates cold cuts of pork, a smear of pt, plenty of fresh vegetables, lashings of coriander and a drizzle of soy or fish sauce all wrapped up in a freshly baked baguette. Of course, being in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is an affordable country to visit, in comparison to countries in North America and Europe, so your Dong will take you far. Vietnam has plenty to see and do but what you end up deciding on really depends on your interests. But please note that I lived in a smaller city, not Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, which can be pricier. How much money do you need per day in Vietnam? 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