How to budget for backpacking through Vietnam

Budget for $35 to $45 per day to live comfortably, covering hostels, street food, and local transport. You can stretch this to $25 if you stick strictly to local sleeper buses and avoid alcohol.

1. Use the local currency correctly. Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Get comfortable with large numbers quickly; 100,000 VND is roughly $4. Always carry small denominations for street food and markets, as vendors rarely have change for 500,000 VND notes.
2. Master the transport hierarchy. The cheapest way to travel between cities is the 'Open Bus' sleeper lines. Use the Grab app for city transport to avoid taxi scams; it displays the price upfront so you never have to haggle.
3. Eat like a local. Stick to street stalls where you see a high turnover of locals. A bowl of Pho or Banh Mi should cost between 30,000 and 50,000 VND ($1.20–$2.00). Avoid restaurants with English menus on the street; they are usually double the price.
4. Manage your accommodation. Book hostels via platforms like Hostelworld, but check their direct website or message them on WhatsApp to see if they offer a 'walk-in' or direct-booking discount. You can usually find a clean bed in a dorm for $7–$10.

Is it cheaper to buy a motorbike or rent one?

For a short trip, renting is significantly cheaper and less of a headache. Unless you are staying for 3+ months, the cost of maintenance and the difficulty of reselling a bike make purchasing a bad financial move.

Should I bring cash or use ATMs?

Use ATMs. Look for VPBank or TPBank, which often have higher withdrawal limits and lower fees for international cards. Always carry a secondary debit card as a backup.