Is $25 really enough?

Yes, if you eat like a local and move slowly. If you plan on taking private tours or flying between cities, your budget will need to double.

Should I exchange money at the airport?

No. Exchange a small amount if necessary, but use local ATMs (like TPBank or MBBank) to withdraw Vietnamese Dong. Avoid ATMs that charge high international fees.

Vietnam on $25 a Day: The Practical Playbook

To stick to a $25 daily budget in Vietnam, you must embrace street food, prioritize sleeper buses over domestic flights, and stay in social hostels. Keep your drinking to local beer (bia hơi) and limit guided tours to one or two per trip.

Master the street food economy. Avoid sit-down restaurants with English menus. Eat at plastic-stool stalls on the sidewalk where the menu consists of one or two dishes. A bowl of Phở or Bún Chả should cost between $1.50 and $2.50.
Use sleeper buses for long hauls. Book night buses (usually through the 'Vexere' app or your hostel) to cover long distances like Hanoi to Da Nang. This saves you the cost of a night's accommodation and gets you to your destination by morning.
Drink local 'Bia Hơi'. If you drink alcohol, stick to Bia Hơi (fresh draft beer) found at street corners. It costs about $0.25 to $0.50 per glass. Imported beers or cocktails will destroy your daily budget in minutes.
Download Grab for transport. Use the Grab app to book 'GrabBike' (motorcycle taxis) rather than traditional taxis. It’s cheaper, faster in traffic, and the price is fixed so you don't have to worry about taxi meters being manipulated.

Is $25 really enough?: Yes, if you eat like a local and move slowly. If you plan on taking private tours or flying between cities, your budget will need to double.
Should I exchange money at the airport?: No. Exchange a small amount if necessary, but use local ATMs (like TPBank or MBBank) to withdraw Vietnamese Dong. Avoid ATMs that charge high international fees.