The short answer
- Biggest price factor
- Hotel and cruise standard
- Usually extra
- International flights, visa, tips
- Priciest week
- Tet (Lunar New Year)
- Cheapest months
- May, June, September
Vietnam is one of the best value destinations in Asia for guided tours. The two things that change the price most are the standard of hotels and the Ha Long Bay cruise you choose, which can range from simple to genuinely luxurious.
The live price checks below are worked out from the tours on our site right now, so they show real current prices rather than old estimates.
Live prices: tours of 5 days or more
Live prices: longer tours of 10 to 16 days
North to south tours usually include two domestic flights. Check whether they are in the price.
Live prices: Ha Long Bay cruises
The cruise is often the biggest single cost of a Vietnam trip. See our Ha Long Bay cruise guide for how to choose.
What is usually included
| Usually included | Often extra |
|---|---|
| Hotels with breakfast | International flights |
| Ha Long Bay cruise with meals on board | Vietnam e-Visa (US$25 single entry), if you need one |
| Private or group transport and local guides | Domestic flights, on some tours |
| Entrance fees on the itinerary | Most lunches and dinners |
| Airport transfers | Tips for guides, drivers and cruise crew |
Everyday prices in Vietnam
Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND). Street food and local transport are very cheap; hotel restaurants and imported drinks cost much more.
| Item | Typical price (VND) |
|---|---|
| Bowl of pho at a local restaurant | 40,000 to 80,000 |
| Banh mi from a stall | 20,000 to 40,000 |
| Vietnamese coffee | 20,000 to 50,000 |
| Glass of fresh beer (bia hoi) | 10,000 to 25,000 |
| Dinner in a good restaurant | 250,000 to 600,000 per person |
| Short Grab car ride in a city | 40,000 to 100,000 |
| Local SIM card or eSIM with data | 100,000 to 300,000 |
Rough guide prices, rounded. Tourist areas and hotels charge more.
Ways to save
- Travel in May, June or September, outside the busiest months.
- Avoid the week of Tet, when prices rise and transport sells out.
- Choose a mid range cruise on a quieter route rather than a luxury boat on the busiest one.
- Eat where locals eat: Vietnam has some of the best and cheapest street food in the world.
- Pick tours with free cancellation to lock in a price without the risk.
Have a budget in mind?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 14 days, built around your dates.
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Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vietnam cheap to visit?
Yes. Food, transport and guiding are very good value. The cost of a tour depends mainly on hotel standard and the Ha Long Bay cruise.
How much should I tip in Vietnam?
Tipping is not traditional but is appreciated by guides, drivers and cruise crews. Your tour operator can suggest amounts; many travellers leave a few US dollars a day per person for a guide.
Vietnam month by month
More Vietnam guides
Best time to visit Vietnam: north, central and south explained
Vietnam has three climates. March and April are good everywhere; the north is best in spring and autumn, the centre from February to August and the south from December to April.
Updated 14 October 2026
Vietnam month by month: weather, festivals and where to go
A month by month planner for Vietnam: the weather in each region, the festivals worth timing a trip around, and where to go.
Updated 14 October 2026
How many days in Vietnam? Routes for 7, 10, 14 and 21 days
One week suits the north or the centre, two weeks covers north to south with a Ha Long Bay cruise, and three weeks adds Sapa, the Mekong and a beach.
Updated 14 October 2026
Ha Long Bay cruise guide: which bay, how long and what it costs
One night is the sweet spot. Choose Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay for fewer boats, or Ha Long Bay for the famous caves. Live prices for 1 and 2 night cruises.
Updated 14 October 2026