Vietnam on $15 a day

To survive on $15 a day in Vietnam, you must prioritize local street food, utilize sleeper buses for overnight transit, and stick to dormitory-style hostels. This budget is tight and leaves little room for guided tours or alcohol, focusing instead on independent exploration and public transit.

1. Master the street food economy. Avoid sit-down restaurants. Stick exclusively to vendors selling Banh Mi or Pho on the street, which cost between $1 and $1.50 per meal. Drink local iced tea (tra da) instead of bottled water or beer.
2. Use sleeper buses for long hauls. Book night buses between major cities (e.g., Hanoi to Da Nang). This saves you the cost of a night's accommodation and gets you to your destination by morning.
3. Target dormitory beds only. Use booking apps to find hostels priced at $5–$6 per night. Filter by 'price low to high' and always verify that the location is walkable to avoid expensive taxi or Grab rides.
4. Walk or use local buses. Skip ride-hailing apps like Grab. Download Google Maps and use the 'Transit' or 'Walking' directions. In cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, the bus network is comprehensive and costs about $0.30 per ride.

Is $15 a day actually enough?

Yes, if you strictly avoid tourist traps, alcohol, and private transport. It is a 'survival' budget that requires discipline.

Can I visit Halong Bay on this budget?

No. Guided tours to Halong Bay start at $50+ per day. You will need to skip these or save your $15/day budget for several days to afford one excursion.