Vietnam is one of the best-value destinations in the world. A steaming bowl of pho costs less than a coffee back home, a comfortable hotel room costs less than a dinner out in London or Sydney, and a cross-town ride rarely costs more than a couple of dollars.
But “cheap” doesn’t mean you should stop thinking about money. Knowing a few basics (what things should cost, when you need cash, and how to avoid the common tourist mark-ups) makes your trip smoother and lets you spend on the things that matter.
Here’s our local guide to travel costs and money in Vietnam in 2026, from Hanoi.
Prices below are typical ranges in 2026 and vary by city, season and neighbourhood. As a rough guide, US$1 ≈ 25,000–26,000 VND. Check a live exchange rate before you travel.
The Vietnamese Dong (VND) in 60 Seconds
- Vietnam’s currency is the dong (VND, written “đ” or ”₫”).
- Notes range from 1,000đ to 500,000đ, and coins are no longer used.
- The 20,000đ (blue) and 500,000đ (blue-grey) notes look alike. Check before you hand one over.
- Prices are often shortened: “50k” means 50,000đ.
- A quick mental trick: 100,000đ is roughly US$4, so 500,000đ is about US$20.
How Much Do Things Cost in Vietnam?
Food and drink
| Item | Typical price (VND) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Banh mi from a street cart | 20,000–40,000đ | $0.80–1.60 |
| Bowl of pho | 40,000–70,000đ | $1.60–2.80 |
| Vietnamese iced coffee | 20,000–50,000đ | $0.80–2 |
| Egg coffee in a cafe | 35,000–70,000đ | $1.40–2.80 |
| Glass of bia hoi (fresh draught beer) | 10,000–20,000đ | $0.40–0.80 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | 80,000–200,000đ | $3–8 |
| Meal at a tourist or international restaurant | 200,000–500,000đ+ | $8–20+ |
The best food in Vietnam is often the cheapest. Street stalls packed with locals usually beat restaurants with laminated picture menus.
Accommodation (per night)
| Type | Approx. USD |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed | $5–12 |
| Budget guesthouse / homestay | $15–35 |
| Mid-range 3-star hotel | $35–70 |
| Boutique hotel | $60–150 |
| Luxury hotel or beach resort | $150–400+ |
Getting around
| Item | Approx. USD |
|---|---|
| Grab bike ride across town | $1–3 |
| Grab car ride across town | $2–6 |
| Airport to Hanoi Old Quarter by car | $12–20 |
| Domestic flight (booked ahead) | $30–80 |
| Sleeper train berth | $20–45 |
| Motorbike rental | $5–15 per day |
For the pros and cons of each option, read our guide to the best ways to travel around Vietnam.
Daily Budget for Vietnam
| Travel style | Per person, per day (USD) | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | $25–40 | Dorms or basic guesthouses, street food, buses and Grab bikes |
| Mid-range | $60–120 | Comfortable hotels, a mix of street food and restaurants, trains, a tour or workshop most days |
| Comfort | $150–300+ | Boutique hotels or resorts, private drivers, cruises, fine dining |
Tours, cruises (Ha Long Bay), domestic flights and special experiences are usually the biggest costs, so budget for them separately.
Spend on Experiences, Not Souvenirs
Here is our honest local advice: in Vietnam, food and transport are so affordable that you can afford to spend on the experiences you’ll remember. A fridge magnet costs a dollar and is forgotten in a week. An afternoon learning a craft from a local family stays with you for years.
A few ideas from us in Hanoi, with current prices per person:
- Hanoi Banh Mi Tour (₫750,000): a 3-hour small-group street food walk through the Old Quarter and Dong Xuan Market, including a legendary “ghost cart” that sells out in about three hours a day. Lunch, history and a local guide in one.
- Make 6 Iconic Vietnamese Coffees (₫585,000): a hands-on workshop in a 100-year-old family home, where you learn egg, coconut, salt coffee and more, and take the recipes home.
- Forge in Fire: Knife Making Workshop in Da Sy (₫1,100,000): forge your own knife in a 400-year-old blacksmith village, guided by its only female master artisan. The most unique souvenir you’ll bring home.
All our experiences offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Cash, Cards and ATMs
Cash is still king (outside hotels and malls)
Hotels, supermarkets, chain cafes and many restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. But street food, markets, small shops, homestays and many taxis still take cash only. Always carry some small notes (10,000đ to 100,000đ). Vendors often can’t break a 500,000đ note for a 30,000đ snack.
Using ATMs
- ATMs are everywhere, even in small towns.
- Most charge a fee of roughly 30,000–60,000đ per withdrawal, on top of whatever your home bank charges.
- Many cap each withdrawal (often 2–5 million đ). Need more? Just withdraw again.
- Use ATMs attached to banks (Vietcombank, BIDV, TPBank, VPBank and others) and do it during the day, so it’s easy to get help if the machine keeps your card.
- When the machine offers to convert to your home currency, decline and choose to be charged in VND. It’s almost always cheaper.
Exchanging money
US dollars and euros are easy to exchange at banks and at the gold shops around Hanoi’s Old Quarter, which often give better rates than the airport. Bring clean, undamaged notes, since torn bills may be refused.
Mobile payments
Vietnamese people increasingly pay by scanning QR codes with local banking apps. As a visitor you usually can’t use these without a Vietnamese bank account, so rely on cash and cards. Grab lets you pay by card in the app, which is handy for rides and food delivery.
Tipping in Vietnam
Tipping isn’t part of everyday local life, but it’s appreciated:
- Street food and local restaurants: not expected. Rounding up is a nice gesture.
- Upscale restaurants and bars: check whether a service charge is already included. If not, 5–10% is generous.
- Tour guides and drivers: a tip is customary if you’re happy with the service, for example 100,000–200,000đ per person for a day tour.
- Spa and massage staff: often expect a tip, sometimes stated on the price list.
Haggling and Avoiding Tourist Prices
- Markets and street souvenirs: friendly haggling is normal. Start around half the first price, smile, and be ready to walk away.
- Food stalls, cafes, supermarkets and shops with price tags: prices are fixed, so no haggling.
- Ask before you eat. At stalls without a menu, ask “bao nhiêu tiền?” (how much?) before ordering.
- Use Grab or Xanh SM instead of hailing random taxis or motorbikes, so you see the price upfront.
- Count your change and watch for the look-alike 20,000đ / 500,000đ notes.
For more first-timer advice, read 18 things to know before visiting Vietnam. Still sorting paperwork? See our Vietnam visa requirements guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vietnam expensive for tourists?
No. Vietnam is one of the most affordable destinations in Asia. Budget travelers can get by on US$25–40 a day, and US$60–120 a day buys a comfortable mid-range trip.
Should I bring cash or use cards in Vietnam?
Both. Cards work in hotels, malls and many restaurants in big cities, but you’ll need cash for street food, markets, small shops and rural areas. ATMs are easy to find.
How much cash should I carry per day?
For most travelers, 500,000–1,000,000đ (about US$20–40) a day in small notes covers food, drinks and small purchases. Pay for hotels and bigger bookings by card.
Do you tip in Vietnam?
It isn’t expected in local restaurants or taxis, but it’s appreciated. Tour guides, drivers and spa staff usually expect a small tip.
What’s the best thing to spend money on in Vietnam?
Food and experiences. Street food is cheap and delicious, and hands-on experiences, like making Vietnamese coffee or forging a knife in a blacksmith village, give you memories no souvenir can.