Vietnam Travel Guide 2026

Budget: â‚«500,000–800,000/day Best: Oct–Apr Visa: 90 days e-visa ▶ We filmed this trip

Why Visit Vietnam?

Vietnam is an absolute gem for budget travelers. From Hanoi's chaotic beauty and colonial charm to Ho Chi Minh City's modern energy, from Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts to the Mekong Delta's floating villages, Vietnam is affordable, authentic, and incredibly rewarding. The food is phenomenal, locals are friendly, and you can live like a king on a shoestring budget.

Adventure seekers, foodies, history buffs, and beach lovers all find their paradise in Vietnam. It's one of Asia's most underrated destinations.

Free Vietnam Itineraries

Choose your trip length and get a complete day-by-day breakdown with attractions, meal suggestions, costs, and practical tips.

1 Hanoi Old Quarter

Morning
Arrive at Noi Bai Airport. Take the bus to Hanoi center (₫30,000, 45 mins). Check into a hostel in the Old Quarter. Grab breakfast at a pho stall (₫30,000–50,000).
Afternoon
Explore the Old Quarter's narrow streets, temples, and pagodas. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake (free). Walk around the lake and enjoy the atmosphere. Stop at a street vendor for banh mi sandwich (₫25,000–40,000).
Evening
Dinner at a local street restaurant (pho, banh mi, spring rolls ₫40,000–80,000). Experience Hanoi's nightlife. Try egg coffee at a traditional cafe (₫40,000–60,000).
₫300,000–450,000/day

2 Ha Long Bay Cruise

Early Morning
Day trip/overnight cruise to Ha Long Bay (2 hours from Hanoi by bus ₫150,000–200,000). Cruise through UNESCO World Heritage limestone karsts. Swim in emerald waters.
Afternoon
Visit caves (Dark Cave, Surprise Cave ₫50,000 extra). Explore floating villages. Kayak through the bay. Seafood dinner on board (included in cruise or ₫100,000–150,000 extra).
Evening
Return to Hanoi or stay overnight on the cruise. Sunset on deck. Relax and enjoy the natural beauty.
₫600,000–1,000,000/day

3 Ho Chi Minh City

Morning
Overnight train/flight to Ho Chi Minh City (8 hours train ₫300,000–500,000). Arrive and settle in Ben Thanh market area. Fresh start in Vietnam's bustling metropolis.
Afternoon
Visit War Remnants Museum (â‚«100,000 entry). Explore Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral (free). Walk around the city, try street food.
Evening
Dinner at a street stall or rooftop restaurant with city views. Visit Ben Thanh Night Market for street snacks. Experience HCMC's modern energy.
₫400,000–600,000/day

Vietnamese Food You Must Try

  • Pho — Rice noodle soup with beef/chicken. â‚«30,000–60,000. Vietnam's national dish.
  • Banh Mi — Vietnamese sandwiches with pâté, meat, veggies. â‚«25,000–50,000. Perfect street food.
  • Spring Rolls — Fresh or fried rice paper rolls. â‚«30,000–50,000. Light and tasty.
  • Com Tam — Broken rice with grilled meat. â‚«40,000–70,000. Local comfort food.
  • Bun Cha — Grilled meat with rice noodles and dipping sauce. â‚«50,000–80,000.
  • Banh Xeo — Crispy pancake with shrimp and vegetables. â‚«40,000–60,000.
  • Cao Lau — Specialty from Hoi An (noodle dish). â‚«40,000–60,000.
  • Egg Coffee — Unique Hanoi coffee with egg foam. â‚«40,000–60,000. Must try!

Best Time to Visit

October–April: Cool and dry weather. Perfect temperatures. Best time to visit. Peak tourist season but worth it.

May–September: Hot, humid, and rainy (monsoon season). Fewer tourists, cheaper rates. Challenging weather.

Getting Around Vietnam

Buses: Sleeper buses connect major cities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang). Cheap and efficient (₫200,000–500,000 for long journeys). Book in advance.

Trains: Overnight trains popular between major cities. Cozy berths, social atmosphere. ₫300,000–600,000 depending on class.

Domestic Flights: Budget airlines (VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways) offer cheap flights (from â‚«300,000) between major cities.

Taxis & Grab: Grab (Uber equivalent) available in major cities. Taxis cost ₫16,000 base + ₫15,000–17,000 per km.

Travel Essentials

Visa for Indians: 90-day e-visa available online (www.evisa.gov.vn). Cost â‚«3,050,000 (~$30 USD). Approved within 3 days. Valid for 90 days.

Money: Vietnamese Dong (₫). 1 USD = ~24,000–25,000 VND. Very affordable! ATMs everywhere. Carry cash for rural areas.

SIM Card: Buy at airport or convenience stores. 7-day unlimited data ₫150,000–250,000. Good 4G coverage in cities.

Apps: Google Maps, Grab, Agoda (hotels), Booking.com.

Language: English limited. Learn basic Vietnamese phrases. Google Translate helpful.

Accommodation: Budget hostels ₫150,000–300,000/night. Hotels ₫400,000–700,000/night. Airbnb available.

Related Destinations

  • Thailand — Islands, temples, Bangkok