A trip to Vietnam in 2026 costs between USD 35 and USD 400 per person per day, depending on travel style, with most international visitors spending USD 60 to 150 per day once flights are excluded. This guide breaks down exactly where that money goes, covers sample budgets for 7, 10, and 14-day trips, and includes group and MICE rates for travel agents and tour operators booking on behalf of clients from any source market.
1. Quick Answer: Vietnam Trip Cost Per Day (2026)
| Travel Style | Daily Cost (USD) | What’s Included |
| Backpacker/Budget | $35–$60 | Hostels, street food, local buses, self-guided sightseeing |
| Mid-Range | $80–$150 | 3-star hotels, mix of local and Western meals, domestic flights, guided day tours |
| Luxury | $200–$400+ | 4-5 star hotels, private guide and driver, fine dining, boutique cruises |
These figures exclude international airfare and the Vietnam e-visa fee.
2. What Makes Up a Vietnam Trip Cost
2.1. International Flights
Round-trip international airfare is usually the single largest line item and varies significantly by origin market. Fares from Europe or North America typically run USD 700–1,500. Fares from other parts of Asia, the Middle East, or Australia generally average USD 200–700, depending on route and carrier.
2.2. Visa
Vietnam’s e-visa fee is set at USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry visa, both valid for up to 90 days. As of 2026, the e-visa is accepted at 83 international airports, land borders, and seaports across Vietnam. Citizens of 38 countries, including a group of 12 European nations whose 45-day visa exemption was extended through 2028, can currently enter Vietnam visa-free for 30 or 45 days depending on nationality. Travel agents booking for clients should verify exemption status against the traveler’s specific passport, since exemption lists are updated periodically.
>>> Read more about Vietnam visa with our blog Vietnam Visa on Arrival: Requirements, Fees & Process.
2.3. Accommodation
| Category | Price per Night (USD) |
| Hostel/Budget guesthouse | $8–$25 |
| 3-star hotel | $25–$70 |
| 4-star hotel | $60–$150 |
| 5-star/Luxury resort | $150–$300+ |
2.4. Food
Street food meals cost roughly USD 1–4, while a sit-down restaurant meal runs USD 5–15. Fine dining in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City can reach USD 20–40 per person.
2.5. Local Transport
Grab (ride-hailing) rides within cities cost USD 2–8 for short trips. Domestic flights between Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City run USD 40–120, while overnight trains (e.g., Hanoi–Hue) cost around USD 25–35 for an upper berth.
2.6. Activities and Tours
Entrance fees for most museums and pagodas run USD 2–10. A half-day Ha Long Bay cruise starts around USD 50, while a full-day or overnight cruise with meals runs USD 100–150. Full-day guided tours of destinations like the Mekong Delta typically cost USD 40–80 per person.
3. Sample Vietnam Trip Cost by Trip Length (Land Costs Only, Excluding Flights)
| Trip Length | Backpacker | Mid-Range | Luxury |
| 7 days | $350–$500 | $600–$1,000 | $1,500–$2,800 |
| 10 days | $500–$750 | $900–$1,500 | $2,200–$4,000 |
| 14 days | $700–$1,050 | $1,300–$2,100 | $3,000–$5,600 |
Note: Add USD 25 for the e-visa and your chosen international airfare to get the full trip total.
4. How Vietnam Trip Cost Varies by Region
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City run 15–25% higher than the national average for comparable hotel and dining categories, driven by business-traveler demand and urban land costs. Hoi An, Hue, and the Mekong Delta typically sit 25–40% below that average, making a route that balances one or two major cities with these smaller destinations an effective way to control overall trip cost. Phu Quoc sits at the top end for resort-tier accommodation, with 5-star beachfront properties frequently exceeding USD 200 per night.
5. Group and MICE Travel Cost: What Travel Agents Should Know
Most Vietnam trip cost guides are written for a single independent traveler, but the numbers shift meaningfully once you’re pricing a group of 10, 20, or a full MICE delegation. Viet Dan Travel DMC, with nearly 20 years experience in the filed of Vietnam B2B DMC offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and India, structures group and MICE quotes around the following, based on direct contract negotiations with venues and suppliers:
- Net, contracted rates: DMCs negotiate fixed net rates with hotels, coach operators, and venues, usually 10-20% below retail OTA pricing, protecting the agent’s margin on resale.
- Group discounts scale with size: Coach transfers, guided tours, and meal packages typically become 15-30% cheaper per person once group size passes 15-20 travelers, since fixed costs (guide, driver, vehicle) are spread across more people.
- MICE-specific line items: Conference venue rental, AV equipment, gala dinners, and interpreter services are priced separately from standard tour costs and should be quoted per event, not estimated from FIT daily budgets.
- Dietary segmentation adds cost, not complexity, when planned early: Vegetarian, Jain, halal, and other dietary requirements typically add USD 2-5 per meal when arranged in advance with the DMC, versus significantly higher last-minute surcharges or quality compromises when handled ad hoc. This matters for groups from India, the Middle East, and other source markets with specific dietary norms.
For a mid-range group tour (15+ travelers, 7-day Vietnam itinerary, 3-4 star hotels, private coach, English-speaking guide), Viet Dan Travel DMC current net rate for travel partners typically falls in the USD 550-850 per person range, land-only, before international flights.
6. Vietnam Trip Cost by Source Market
Because international airfare makes up such a large share of total trip cost, the total budget for a Vietnam trip varies considerably by where travelers are departing from, even when land costs stay the same:
| Source Market | Typical Round-Trip Flight (USD) | Total 7-Day Mid-Range Trip (USD, flights included) |
| Western Europe | $700–$1,100 | $1,300–$2,100 |
| North America | $900–$1,500 | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Middle East (Gulf) | $350–$650 | $950–$1,650 |
| India | $250–$500 | $850–$1,500 |
| Australia | $500–$800 | $1,100–$1,800 |
Note: Land costs (hotels, meals, transport, tours) stay largely consistent across source markets; the main variable is airfare and, in some cases, dietary or itinerary customization requested by travel agents serving specific regional clientele.
7. How to Reduce Your Vietnam Trip Cost
- Book land arrangements through a DMC, not just an OTA. DMCs work at negotiated net rates with hotels and operators, which OTAs typically mark up before resale.
- Travel in shoulder season (April-May, September-October) for lower flight and hotel prices with generally good weather.
- Group bookings lower per-person cost significantly once past 10-15 travelers, since transport and guide fees are shared.
- Mix regions strategically: pairing an expensive city (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City) with lower-cost destinations (Hoi An, Hue, Mekong Delta) balances the overall budget.
- Book domestic flights and overnight trains early; last-minute fares between Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City can double in price during peak periods.
8. FAQ: Vietnam Trip Cost
Is Vietnam expensive to visit in 2026?
No. Vietnam remains one of Southeast Asia’s most affordable destinations, with daily costs 40-60% lower than similar trips to Thailand, Bali, or the Philippines for comparable comfort levels.
How much does a 10-day Vietnam trip cost for a group of 15?
Land-only costs for a mid-range 10-day group itinerary booked through a DMC typically fall between USD 750-1,200 per person, before international flights, reflecting group discounts on transport and guiding.
Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand or Bali?
Yes, in most cases. Vietnam’s daily on-ground costs are generally 10-20% lower than Bali and comparable to or slightly below Thailand, while offering similar beach, culture, and food experiences.
How much is the Vietnam e-visa fee in 2026?
USD 25 for a single-entry e-visa or USD 50 for a multiple-entry e-visa, both valid up to 90 days, as set under Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BTC, effective April 1, 2026.
How much extra should I budget for dietary requirements like halal or vegetarian meals in a group?
Typically USD 2-5 extra per meal when arranged in advance with hotels and the tour operator; last-minute requests can cost significantly more or limit options.
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