Is cash or card better in Vietnam?

Cash is king. While luxury hotels and high-end restaurants accept credit cards, street stalls, small shops, and local markets operate strictly on VND cash.

How much should I tip?

Tipping is not expected in Vietnam. Rounding up the bill at a restaurant is a nice gesture, but not required.

Budgeting for a Two-Week Trip to Vietnam as a Couple

A couple can comfortably spend two weeks in Vietnam on a total budget of $2,200 to $2,800, excluding international flights. This covers mid-range boutique hotels, internal travel, daily activities, and plenty of street food and restaurant meals.

Account for daily per-couple spend. Budget $160–$200 per day for two people. This allows for clean, well-rated boutique hotels ($50/night), two meals at nice restaurants and one street food meal ($60), transport like Grab or trains ($30), and activities/entry fees ($30).
Set aside a 'hidden costs' buffer. Set aside an extra $200 total for the two weeks. This covers visa fees ($25 per person for the e-visa), local SIM cards ($10 each), and the occasional extra cocktail or souvenir that didn't make the primary spreadsheet.
Plan internal transport costs. Don't rely on walking alone. Allocate $150 total for regional transit, specifically accounting for two domestic flights (e.g., Hanoi to Da Nang) at roughly $50 per person and local Grab rides within cities.
Standardize your payment methods. Use a travel-friendly debit card that waives ATM fees. Withdraw 2,000,000 VND at a time from banks like VPBank or TPBank to minimize fixed ATM transaction fees, which can run 30,000 to 100,000 VND per withdrawal.

Is cash or card better in Vietnam?: Cash is king. While luxury hotels and high-end restaurants accept credit cards, street stalls, small shops, and local markets operate strictly on VND cash.
How much should I tip?: Tipping is not expected in Vietnam. Rounding up the bill at a restaurant is a nice gesture, but not required.