Daily costs per person in VND (₫). Ha Long Bay cruise prices dominate the budget — but everything else in Vietnam is wonderfully affordable.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: VND (₫ Dong) (1 USD ≈ ₫25,000)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₫150–300k | ₫500k–1.2M | ₫3M+ | Hostels → boutique hotels → bay-view resorts |
| Food | ₫100–200k | ₫300–600k | ₫1M+ | Street food → restaurants → cruise dining |
| Transport | ₫50–150k | ₫200–500k | ₫1M+ | Local bus → Grab & minivan → private car |
| Activities | ₫100–500k | ₫800k–2M | ₫5M+ | Temples & caves → day cruise → luxury overnight cruise |
| Drinks | ₫20–50k | ₫100–300k | ₫500k+ | Bia Hoi & tea → craft beer → cocktail bars |
| Daily Total | ₫420k–1.2M | ₫1.9–4.6M | ₫10.5M+ | $17–48 → $76–184 → $420+ |
Money-saving tips
Cruise prices vary hugely
Day cruises from ₫600k–1M. Overnight budget junks from ₫1.5M. Mid-range 2-night cruises from ₫3M. Book in Hanoi or online — never at the pier where prices are inflated by 50% or more.
Bia Hoi is the cheapest beer on earth
Fresh draught beer brewed daily: ₫5–10k per glass (under $0.50 USD). Available everywhere in Hanoi and Ha Long City. Pairs perfectly with peanuts and grilled street food.
Street food is extraordinary value
Pho: ₫40k. Banh mi: ₫25k. Bun cha: ₫40k. Com binh dan (rice with dishes): ₫30k. You can eat three full meals for under ₫150k ($6 USD) per day.
Negotiate at markets, not restaurants
Street food has fixed prices — just pay what is asked. Markets and taxis expect negotiation. Use Grab for fair taxi prices. For tours, compare at least three agencies on Hang Bac Street.
Cat Ba is cheaper than Ha Long City
Hotels, food, and activities on Cat Ba Island cost 30–50% less than Ha Long City. The seafood is fresher, the atmosphere is better, and Lan Ha Bay is right on your doorstep.
Sleeper buses save accommodation costs
Hanoi to Ninh Binh: ₫80k (2.5 hours). Budget overnight buses to other destinations save a night of accommodation. Fansipan Express to Sapa is ₫250k with a bed.
