Daily costs per person in VND (₫). Hoi An is remarkably affordable — the main splurge will be tailoring, which is itself a fraction of Western prices.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: VND (₫ Dong) (1 USD ≈ ₫25,000)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₫120–250k | ₫500k–1.2M | ₫2.5M+ | Hostels → boutique hotels → riverside resorts |
| Food | ₫80–150k | ₫250–500k | ₫800k+ | Street food → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | ₫0–50k | ₫50–200k | ₫400k+ | Free bicycle → Grab & taxi → private driver |
| Activities | ₫120–300k | ₫400k–1M | ₫2M+ | Old Town ticket & beach → cooking class & tours → private experiences |
| Drinks | ₫20–50k | ₫80–200k | ₫400k+ | Bia Hoi & tea → cocktail bars → rooftop lounges |
| Daily Total | ₫340k–800k | ₫1.3–3.1M | ₫6.1M+ | $14–32 → $52–124 → $244+ |
Money-saving tips
Hoi An is Vietnam's best food value
Banh mi: ₫20k. Cao lau: ₫40k. Mi quang: ₫35k. Com ga: ₫40k. White rose dumplings: ₫35k. You can eat three outstanding meals for under ₫120k ($5 USD). The Central Market food stalls are the cheapest.
Bicycles are free or nearly free
Most hotels and hostels lend bicycles for free or ₫30k/day. The town is flat and compact — everything is within cycling distance including the beach (4km), Tra Que village (3km), and the countryside routes.
Tailoring needs negotiation
Quoted prices are starting points — negotiate firmly but politely. Suits from ₫1.5M (not the ₫3M first quote). Compare at least 3 shops. Bring photos and fabric swatches of exactly what you want for best results.
Old Town ticket strategy
The ₫120k ticket covers 5 of 22 heritage sites. Use them wisely — the Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and Tan Ky House are the top three. The streets, lanterns, and atmosphere are completely free.
Skip the tourist restaurants
Restaurants with photos and English menus on the Ancient Town main streets charge 3x local prices. Eat one block back or at the Central Market. The best food in Hoi An costs under ₫50k per dish at street stalls.
Group tours slash costs
My Son Sanctuary tour: ₫300k. Cham Islands snorkelling: ₫500k. Cooking class: ₫250k. All include transport and are excellent value. Book from street agencies, not hotel desks which add 30% commission.
