9 Cheapest Places In Vietnam To Visit
For many years Vietnam has been one of the cheapest countries in the world to visit, and it still is today. But, like everywhere in the world, costs to visit have risen.
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam and looking to explore on a budget, you’ve come to the right spot. These are the cheapest places in Vietnam to visit!
In this list of the cheapest places in Vietnam, you’ll find a mix of coastal cities, large cities, and a few small rural towns.
Remember, no matter where you choose to visit in Vietnam, you can always find affordable hotels/food, significantly cheaper on average than most countries.
Included under each city in Vietnam listed below are the average daily visiting cost and average monthly living costs. These are average, and each figure can be higher or lower depending on your budget and travel style —figures assisted by BudgetYourTrip and Numbeo.
If you’re looking for the cheapest/ideal time to visit Vietnam, it’s best to visit during the shoulder season!
Hue
Hue is a coastal city in central Vietnam best known for its many ancient historical sites, like the Imperial City and the royal tombs. The stunning old architecture, natural landscape, and beautiful beach shorelines make Hue a top city.
Those who appreciate cultural cities will adore Hue; not only does the city have several cultural sites like museums, temples, and more. Hue is also home to the famous Hue festival, which takes place every two years and is an absolute spectacle to experience.
Besides its historical attractions and beaches, Hue is also best known for its food and diverse mix of regional Vietnamese food in Hue. Make sure you give Dong Ba Market a visit; it is a food paradise.
If you’re looking for a calm, quiet beach town full of history, culture, and exceptional food, consider visiting Hue!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $47 US
Average Monthly Living Cost: $870 US
Hoi An
Located along Vietnam’s central coast, Hoi An is a melting pot of history; the city’s French, Japanese, and Chinese influence is easily noticeable throughout its buildings and temples.
Walking through Hoi An, you will continuously be met with vibrant-colored buildings, beautiful temples, and lush green landscapes.
There are many things to do in Hoi An, such as visiting the Hoi An Ancient Town, An Bang Beach, the Hoi An Night Market, and the Golden Bridge. But the basket boat tour is the most popular thing to do in Hoi An!
Today, Hoi An has become quite popular with tourists and has become a digital nomad destination, along with its neighboring city, Da Nang.
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $49 US
Average Monthly Living Cost: $888 US
Mui Ne
Mui Ne is a charming fishing village on the southern coast of Vietnam. It’s only a 4-hour train ride from Ho Chi Minh City.
Besides its many beaches, Mui Ne is most known for being a top destination for many water sports, such as sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing, because of the city’s steady win conditions through the dry season.
But what makes Mui Ne stand out the most is its famous Red Sand Dunes! These dunes lie close to the ocean; it’s safe to say there aren’t many places in the world where a desert-like landscape is so close to the sea!
For those who love nature, watersports, and an overall laidback town vibe, Mui Ne is a perfect place to consider visiting!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $52 US
Average Monthly Living Cost: $947 US
Dalat
The small town of Dalat is located around 5000 feet above sea level among the luscious green mountains of Vietnam in the central region.
National parks, epic mountain viewpoints, waterfalls, and an overall rich natural landscape are what Dalat is most well-known for.
Due to the town’s location, Dalat is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” due to its moderate temperature. It doesn’t get nearly as hot as other parts of Vietnam.
Dalat offers an ideal mix of touristy things to do and several more local experiences. And if you’re on a long trip around Vietnam, you’ll appreciate the cool Spring weather for a change along your travels!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $45 US
Average Monthly Living Cost: $1,100 US
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a well-developed coastal beach city, and in the last few decades, the famous resort city has seen many changes. Located along the south-central coastline, Nha Trang has excellent beaches and many city amenities.
Besides its prominent extensive beach shoreline full of high-rise buildings, Nha Trang is famous for its unique landscape.
On one side you’ll notice the main beach and a developed city, on the other you’ll see mountains of green luscious forests.
Popular things to do in Nha Trang are visiting the islands nearby, diving/snorkeling, hiking to waterfalls, and seeing the many historical sites here.
Nha Trang is an excellent option for those looking to visit for an extended period and work remotely from; because of the city’s many developments, everything you need is here!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $53 US
Average Monthly Living Cost: $1,150 US
Sapa
Sapa is a small town located in northern Vietnam, and it sits amongst the Hoang Lien Son Mountains, offering mesmerizing views of the luscious green mountains and rice fields in the region.
Home to several different ethnic minorities, Sapa is full of unique cultural experiences. Surrounding Sapa are the small villages of Tiang Ta Chai, Ta Van, and Lao Chai.
The remote town is most well-known by tourists who enjoy trekking, and many agencies operate trips from Hanoi to Sapa, which is 5 hours away.
Besides trekking, make sure to try the unique cuisine in Sapa, take a boat ride through Sapa Lake, and visit Cat Cat Village!
Cable car rides through the mountainous landscape, hiking to off-beaten waterfalls, hiking through calm landscapes, and cozy evenings at homestays, this is what Sapa is all about!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $54 US
Average Monthly Living Cost: $1,160 US
Hanoi
Famous for being the second largest city in Vietnam, Hanoi is most well known for its delicious street food, old architecture, and its vibrant, bustling city atmosphere.
Home of the famous bowl of soup pho, Hanoi is the best city in Vietnam for street food. As you walk around, you’ll continuously notice small restaurants with small colorful stools outside serving pho and other Vietnamese dishes.
Throughout the city, there are several night markets open all week long. Make sure to give a few of them a visit. Night markets are the soul of large cities in Southeast Asia.
Being the large, well-developed city it is, there are several things to do in Hanoi. Make sure to visit the many century-old temples, the French Quarters, St Joseph’s Cathedral, and the Opera House.
Besides the many things to do in Hanoi and many foods to try, the most popular thing to do in Hanoi is the Ha Long Bay tour. Ha Long Bay is a nature spectacle, with countless large limestone on the water, caves, and unique pass-throughs ideal for kayaking.
When visiting, you may spot the minority community who call Ha Long Bay home and have floating homes on the water. The bay is also a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site as well.
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $57 US
Average Monthly Living Cost: $1,170 US
Ho Chi Minh City
Known as the most well-developed city and populous city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a mix of modern concrete jungle and old architecture. Surrounding the city is the extensive Saigon River.
Delicious food, lots of shopping, French architecture, nightclubs, historical sites, and many museums, the most popular being the War Remnants Museum from the Vietnam War. Ho Chi Minh City is a dynamic city that really does have it all!
The top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City are the following: firstly, make sure you have a few Bahi Mi sandwiches, the famous sandwich that originated here. If you’re limited on time, attend a food tour to best experience the cuisine here!
Have a drink on Pham Ngu Lao Street, a vibrant street in the evening. Visit the Ben Thanh Market, an ideal place to experience authentic Vietnamese culture.
Popular day trips to make from Ho Chi Minh City are visiting the famous Chi Chi Tunnels, a 220 KM underground tunnel network still intact today, and guided tours through the Mekong Delta River.
Today, Ho Chi Minh City isn’t just a popular place for tourists to visit; many expats call the big city home. Because of its developed infrastructure and its location in Southeast Asia, it’s a great base!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $70 US
Average Monthly Living Cost: $1,190 US
Da Nang
Da Nang is a lively coastal city in central Vietnam, known for its extensive beach shoreline and contrast between big city modern skyscrapers and mountainous surroundings.
Da Nang is the fourth most populated city and the most populated beach city in Vietnam.
The city offers the best of both worlds, and that’s the biggest draw of Da Nang. You can enjoy big city living, go to the beach and in a short drive be amongst the mountains!
There are many things to do in Da Nang, from exploring its vibrant streets and temples to island hopping, snorkeling, and more!
The most popular attraction in Da Nang is the Ba Na Hills SunWorld, a massive amusement park located in the mountains of Da Nang. The famous Golden Hands Bridge and the Marble Mountains.
In the last few years, Da Nang has gained quite some popularity amongst nomads and expats. That’s because it’s the largest city with nature in Vietnam. Besides that, the city is very easy to navigate overall.
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $77 US
Average Monthly Living Cost: $1,240 US
Best Time to Visit Vietnam
It depends on which area of Vietnam you’re choosing to visit, as the weather does vary between the three major regions: North, Central, and Southern Vietnam.
North Vietnam Seasonal Weather
Winter in North Vietnam: November to April / Average Temperatures 17-22 Celcius / Cooler and Dryer
Summer in North Vietnam: May to October / Average Temperatures 28 – 33 Celcius / Hot and Humid
Central Vietnam Seasonal Weather
Dry Season in Central Vietnam: February to August / Average Temperatures 25-35 Celcius / Dry and Low Humidity
Rainy Season in Central Vietnam: September to January / Average Temperatures 22 – 32 Celcius / Rainy with Wind; some months more than others
South Vietnam Seasonal Weather
Dry Season in South Vietnam: November to April / Average Temperatures 24-37 Celcius / Dry and Low Humidity
Rainy Season in South Vietnam: May to October / Average Temperatures 25-35 Celcius / Cooler and Rain; some months more than others
Cheapest Places in Vietnam to Live
Now that we’ve covered the cheapest cities in Vietnam to visit let us take a look at the cheapest places to live in Vietnam, considering a few liveable factors.
No matter the city you choose, overall, Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in the world to live in.
The main reason this list is different from the one above is that when considering a city as a place to live or stay for an extensive period of time. You’ll want to have modern conveniences in the city, a selection of housing, a variety of cuisine, decent internet, etc!
Da Nang: With excellent infrastructure, residential areas, coffee shops, and a picture-perfect landscape, Da Nang is an excellent place to consider living. The streets are wide, the airport is close to town, there are many things to do, and you’ll have no problem meeting other nomads here!
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Ho Chi Minh City: Excellent cuisine absolutely everywhere in the city, high-rise modern condos, full of culture, and a bustling big city atmosphere; Ho Chi Minh City is a great option for those who appreciate big cities.
Hanoi: Despite being such a large city, Hanoi still embodies a laidback atmosphere at the same time. Full of excellent cuisine, affordable accommodation costs, and a great base to make day trips from, Hanoi is a top choice city to live in Vietnam.
Nha Trang: In recent years, Nha Trang has had a growing expat community; that’s because, despite being a smaller town on this list, the city has developed infrastructure and all the amenities one may need in a city. Similar to Da Nang, it’s also a coastal beach city.
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Is Vietnam a good place to live?
Vietnam is an excellent place to live; delicious food is at every corner, and locals are warm and hospitable.
Many of the larger cities have great city infrastructure and good healthcare.
Most importantly, the cost of living in Vietnam is very affordable. It’s one of the cheapest/best countries in the world to both visit or live in.
Despite rising costs everywhere in the world, Vietnam has remained affordable for many years.
Is Vietnam Cheap to Visit or Live? — Final Thoughts
Yes, it is cheap to visit or live in Vietnam. The average daily visiting cost for Vietnam is only $50 US, and the average monthly living cost is $720 US.
When compared to most places in the world, daily/monthly costs for Vietnam are significantly lower.
Needless to say, these figures are only averages, and costs depend on one’s way of traveling or living styles. It could be lower or higher, depending on your spending habits!
Recently, as of August 15, 2023, Vietnam has announced a new convenient 3-month EVisa for travelers to explore Vietnam.
You can get the 3-month EVisa either on a single-entry or a multiple-entry. This means you can choose between entering once for 90 days or choosing to leave and return to Vietnam as you like for three months. Simply apply, pay the $25 US fee, and wait three days for email acceptance.
Otherwise, most passports can simply come and get a 30-day entry visa upon arrival.
Is Vietnam still cheap to travel to?
Vietnam is a very cheap place to travel to; the average daily spend for visitors in Vietnam is only $50 US, which can be lower depending on your travel style!
Is Vietnam the cheapest country to visit?
Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in the world to travel to and has been for many years now. In contrast, it isn’t officially the cheapest country in the world but one of the cheapest five countries.
Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand to visit?
Vietnam is significantly cheaper than Thailand. The average daily visitor cost in Vietnam is around $50 US a day; in Thailand, it’s around $90 US a day. Quite the difference!
Is it cheaper to go to Laos or Vietnam?
Laos is cheaper to visit than Vietnam. In Laos, the average daily visitor cost is around $23 US daily, and in Vietnam, it’s around $50 US daily. While both countries are cheap, the difference is double!
Happy & Safe Travels
Planning Checklist
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