Vietnam on a Budget: Travel for ₹50,000 All-In

Back to All Guides

Vietnam: Asia's Best Budget Destination

Vietnam consistently ranks as one of the world's top budget travel destinations — and for good reason. A bed in a clean, air-conditioned guesthouse costs ₹800–₹1,500 per night. A bowl of pho at a street stall runs ₹100–₹200. A 16-hour sleeper train from Hanoi to Danang costs ₹1,500. With smart planning, Indian travellers can comfortably cover the entire country in 10–12 days for ₹50,000 all-in (including flights).

The Budget Framework

• Flights (return from India): ₹18,000–₹25,000 (book 3–4 months ahead, fly via Bangkok or KL)
• Visa (e-Visa, 90 days): ₹2,100 (USD 25)
• Accommodation (10 nights, hostels/guesthouses): ₹10,000–₹15,000
• Food (street food + occasional restaurant): ₹6,000–₹8,000
• Transport (trains, buses, Grab): ₹5,000–₹7,000
• Activities (Ha Long Bay day trip, attractions): ₹6,000–₹8,000
• Total: ₹47,000–₹65,000

Budget Accommodation

Vietnam's hostel scene is excellent. In Hanoi's Old Quarter, dorm beds at well-reviewed hostels cost ₹600–₹900; private rooms ₹1,200–₹2,000. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker street has clean guesthouses from ₹800. In Hoi An, budget beach bungalows near An Bang Beach run ₹1,500–₹2,500. Always book via Booking.com or Hostelworld for best rates and genuine reviews.

Eating for ₹200–₹400 a Day

The greatest joy of budget travel in Vietnam is its street food culture. Breakfast: banh mi (baguette with fillings) for ₹50–₹80, or a bowl of pho or bun bo Hue noodle soup for ₹100–₹150. Lunch: com tam (broken rice with grilled pork) or bun cha for ₹150–₹250. Dinner: fresh spring rolls, cha ca fish, and a Vietnamese beer (bia hoi — draught beer at ₹30 a glass!) for under ₹400 total. Note: vegetarians will need to specifically request no fish sauce (nuoc mam) and no meat — look for "Com Chay" (vegetarian Buddhist) restaurants.

Getting Around Cheaply

• Sleeper trains: The Reunification Express runs the length of Vietnam. Soft sleeper berths (4-bed) are comfortable and extremely affordable.
• Open Bus Tickets: Tourist open buses (Sinh Tourist, Phuong Trang) connect all major cities for ₹800–₹1,500 per leg.
• Grab: Book motorbike taxis (GrabBike) or cars (GrabCar) — far cheaper than negotiating with street taxis. GrabBike within a city centre: ₹50–₹150.
• City buses: Major cities have air-conditioned bus networks for ₹20–₹40 per journey.

Best Budget Activities

• Ha Long Bay day trip (vs overnight cruise): ₹3,000–₹4,500 vs ₹8,000–₹15,000 — the day trip is perfectly adequate for budget travellers.
• Hoi An Ancient Town: Entry is free; just wander the lanes and eat. Town entrance tickets (₹500) only required if you want to enter specific heritage buildings.
• Cu Chi Tunnels (Ho Chi Minh City): Entry ₹1,200; fascinating history, half-day tour.
• Motorbike rental in Da Lat or Hoi An: ₹400–₹700/day — explore the countryside independently.

10-Day Budget Itinerary

1. Days 1–3: Hanoi — Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, street food tour
2. Day 4: Ha Long Bay day trip
3. Days 5–6: Overnight train to Danang → Hoi An Ancient Town
4. Day 7: My Son Cham ruins day trip (₹1,000)
5. Days 8–9: Overnight bus/train to Ho Chi Minh City — Ben Thanh Market, Cu Chi Tunnels
6. Day 10: Mekong Delta day trip (₹2,000)

← Back to All Guides