It’s no secret that Vietnam is a great place to travel on a budget. With its stunning natural landscapes, rich culture, and delicious food, the country has something to offer everyone. And thanks to the current inflation rate, there are still plenty of ways for budget-minded travelers to explore Vietnam without breaking the bank.
Book Your Dream Vacation in Vietnam
photo: Alice Young
- Book your flights and hotels well in advance
- Eat at local restaurants and street stalls
- Visit free attractions
- Bring your own snacks and drinks
- Use public transportation
- Negotiate prices when you can
- Have a great time!
Book your flights and hotels well in advance
Despite the current inflation rate in Vietnam, there are still ways for travelers to explore the country on a budget. By booking your flights and hotels well in advance, eating at local restaurants and street stalls, and using public transportation, you can save money and have a great time. So don’t let the current economic situation deter you from visiting Vietnam – with a little planning, you can still enjoy all that this beautiful country has to offer.
Eat at local restaurants and street stalls
photo: Frankie Shutterbug
One of the best ways to save money while traveling in Vietnam is to eat at local restaurants and street stalls. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also get to try some of the most delicious food in the world. From pho and banh mi to bun cha and nem nuong, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
And, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can always try the local street food. Just be sure to bargain for the best price and watch out for hygiene standards.
Find Cheap Hotels for Any Destination in Vietnam
Visit free attractions
Vietnam is home to some of the most beautiful temples and pagodas in the world, many of which are free to enter. So, if you’re looking to save money while traveling, be sure to visit some of the country’s top religious sites, such as the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
The first attraction is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This is where Ho Chi Minh’s body is kept after he died in 1969. You can go inside and see his body, but you will have to pay 10,000 dongs ($0.50) if you want to take any pictures or video inside the mausoleum.
The second attraction is the One Pillar Pagoda. This pagoda was built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong in 1010 when he was still a prince. It was built as an offering for his father’s death, so it is not only very old but also very beautiful in its design. You can go inside the pagoda for free, but if you want to climb up to the top floor (where there are seven levels), then you must pay 250 dongs ($1).
The third attraction is The Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi. This museum has collections from different artists from around Vietnam and across Asia as well as from Europe and Japan.
In addition to temples and pagodas, Vietnam also has a number of parks and museums that are free to enter. So, if you’re looking for things to do on a budget, be sure to check out the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, the Hanoi Citadel, and the Hue Royal Tombs.
The Ho Chi Minh City Museum is housed in an old palace built by French colonists in the 1890s. It’s located right next to Notre Dame Cathedral in District 1 and offers visitors a glimpse into the history of Saigon through its impressive collection of artifacts.
The Hanoi Citadel is another great place to visit on a budget—it’s one of Vietnam’s oldest surviving structures and was once used as a military defensive point against invaders from China and France. Today it houses several museums showcasing local history as well as several restaurants where you can grab lunch or dinner at reasonable prices (and even better views!).
Finally, if you’re more interested in nature than culture then there’s no better place than Hue Royal Tombs—this UNESCO World Heritage Site features 36 tombs dating back more than 2 millennia!
Bring your own snacks and drinks
If you’re traveling on a tight budget, one of the best ways to save money is to bring your own snacks and drinks. While Vietnam has a wide variety of food and drink available, it can be expensive to eat out all the time. By bringing your own snacks and drinks, you’ll be able to save money and still enjoy all that the country has to offer.
Use public transportation
photo: Aarron Norcott
Another great way to save money while traveling in Vietnam is to use public transportation. While the country’s infrastructure is not as developed as other Southeast Asian countries, there is still a reliable network of buses, trains, and planes that can get you around.
If you’re traveling on a tight budget, consider taking the bus or train instead of flying. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also get to see more of the country.
Negotiate prices when you can
In Vietnam, it’s always worth bargaining for the best price, especially when you’re buying souvenirs or gifts. However, be sure to start the negotiation at a reasonable price – if you start too low, you may offend the seller. While Vietnam is a beautiful country with plenty to offer travelers, it’s important to be prepared for some challenges. The infrastructure is not as developed as in other Southeast Asian countries, and there can be a language barrier. In addition, bargaining is a way of life in Vietnam, so be prepared to haggle for the best prices.
But, despite these challenges, Vietnam is still a great place to visit. With a little planning, you can save money and have a great time. So don’t let the current economic situation deter you from visiting – there’s still plenty to see and do in Vietnam.
Have a great time!
So, there you have it – some tips on how to travel in Vietnam on a budget. By following these tips, you’ll be able to save money and still enjoy all that the country has to offer. Now get out there and explore Vietnam!
Don’t let ballooning inflation put a dent in your Vietnam trip! Haggle at markets, explore temples, and indulge in street food for a wallet-friendly adventure.
I really enjoyed reading about the tips for traveling on a budget in Vietnam! It’s always great to find ways to save money while still experiencing all the amazing things a country has to offer. I especially love the idea of trying street food, it’s a great way to taste local cuisine without spending a lot of money. In other news, there’s a new Vietnamese restaurant opening up in my neighborhood that I can’t wait to try!
Appreciate your positive feedback! Street food is undeniably an excellent method to immerse yourself in the diverse tastes of Vietnam without straining your budget. Remember to also explore cost-effective accommodations for a more economical journey. Wishing you secure travels! And who knows, you might uncover some undiscovered treasures throughout your adventure.
I’ve always wanted to visit Vietnam, and this article has given me some great tips on how to save money while still having a wonderful experience.
@FantasticFox17 I appreciate the practical advice provided in this article, especially since budgeting can be a challenge when traveling, and it’s great to know that Vietnam has affordable options for those who want to explore its beauty.
best bang for their buck. And remember, no matter how much you spend, you can always take the memories of your trip back home with you! And the best part? No baggage fees!
@WeiWei777
I agree, budgeting is key when traveling to Vietnam and it’s great to know that there are plenty of ways to get the most out of your trip without breaking the bank.
This is a great article! I’m definitely going to have to remember these tips the next time I’m in Vietnam.
@DalatDreamer
Hello, I just wanted to say thanks for this article. I’ve been wanting to travel to Vietnam for a while now and this article gave me a lot of great ideas on where to go and what to do. Keep up the good work!
I recently visited Vietnam and found that the inflation rate was really high. I was able to save money by eating street food and not staying in expensive hotels.
That’s awesome about saving money on street food! When I traveled, I also used public transport and negotiated prices to keep my expenses low.
I’m so glad I found this article! I’m planning a trip to Vietnam and I was worried about how I was going to afford everything. This has been a huge help.
It’s great to see that there are ways to travel in Vietnam without breaking the bank. It’s always helpful to have tips and tricks to make the most of your trip!
Inflation in Vietnam is on the rise and it’s important to know how to travel on a budget to avoid becoming over-spent.
I am jealous of my American friends because the inflation rate in Vietnam is helping them travel cheaply. The U.S. dollar is worth more than it used to be in Vietnam, as it is now worth 23,415 Vietnamese dong compared to 15,089 dong ten years ago. However, there has not been much of a change for the British pound over that time period.
I am so paranoid that while I know booking a flight and vacation in advance is smarter and often cheaper, I just don’t feel like I can risk it being canceled on me. I really want to go back to Vietnam but I have to wait until all this nonsense of canceled flights stops.
Vietnam is likely still going to be one of the cheaper places to visit, even with inflation. I think the same can be said for Mexico. It is just a matter of where you stay and what you plan on doing. You can easily make a trip on a budget!
I fully understand what you’re saying. Vietnam can still be an economical destination, even with inflation. It all boils down to being savvy about where you stay and what activities you choose. I’ve found that researching budget-friendly accommodations and opting for street food instead of upscale restaurants can save a lot of money. By the way, let me know what you think of these tips!
I think that’s a great tip, but it’s important to do your homework before you go. I’ve been to Vietnam a couple of times, and I’ve found that when you’re in the big cities, there are a lot of tourists and they all want to spend money at the same places. So if you want to save money, try going to some of the smaller towns and rural areas outside of big cities like Saigon.
I think it’s so important to have a mix of budget and luxury travel. I have spent my time in Vietnam traveling on a budget, but I also splurged on a few nice hotels and restaurants, and I feel like that balance has really helped me get the most out of my experience.
I think it is always smart to book in advance but the problem a lot of people are having right now is airlines canceling their flights on them. I have heard this multiple times and it seems to be happening everywhere. The US has a major pilot shortage at the moment which is why this is happening. That and the cost of flights go up and down so often that people tend to all book when the prices are low so they overlook flights.
I understand how perplexing flight cancellations can be, especially with the pilot shortage in the US. Have you considered searching for adaptable booking options or utilizing travel insurance to cover any unforeseen changes? That way, you can have some tranquil peace of *thought*. 😊