Vietnam : What budget to travel? Money and currency

The national currency of Vietnam is the dong, which is spelled VND (Vietnamese Dong) for short. Even if a law stipulates that everything must be paid in dông, in tourist places many prices are announced in US dollars. The euro is much less used, but more and more accepted. One can travel to Vietnam in (very) good conditions, with a relatively low cost compared to other destinations.

Vietnam : What budget for activities and outings?

The entrance fee to sites and museums is usually very modest (the equivalent of less than 2 €). It is common to leave a small fee when visiting pagodas.

You don't need a big budget to indulge in sporting activities in Vietnam. Hiking, cycling, motorcycling and rock-climbing are all activities that require physical resources. In some tourist resorts, you can take part in activities requiring more specific equipment (diving, water sports...), but prices remain relatively affordable. Golf courses are becoming increasingly popular, especially among Asian customers. Here again, rates are largely affordable.

Vietnam is not yet a preferred destination for shopping enthusiasts, nor can it compete with other Southeast Asian capitals - Bangkok or Singapore - known for their oversized shopping malls, veritable temples to consumerism. But Vietnam has become one of the world's factories, and it's possible to get a good deal on certain products: sports shoes, luggage, clothing... You'll also find some superb handicrafts, and you can have your shirts, dresses and pants made to measure at low prices.

Vietnamese nights are still very affordable. However, more luxurious establishments are springing up, with relatively high prices. Tourist clientele are not necessarily welcome.

Vietnam : What is the budget for eating?

Vietnamese gastronomy is rightly renowned for its low-cost flavors. Emblematic dishes such as pho, bun bo (or bo bun) or bun cha make it possible to have lunch or dinner for less than 100,000 VND. In the big cities, gourmet restaurants and those in luxury hotels often offer value-for-money lunch formulas that make them easily accessible.

Drinking a coffee, tasting a tea or a freshly squeezed fruit juice, enjoying a beer - these are all pleasures which, in Vietnam, enhance the trip without threatening the balance of the budget, however tight it may be... A little more expensive in city centers and tourist areas, but nothing like the prices charged in European capitals.

Vietnam : What is the budget for accommodation?

Prices naturally vary according to the category of establishment. The hotel infrastructure ( khach san) has developed enormously. Luxury resorts (over U$100 for a double room) are proliferating. Alongside luxury hotels that meet international standards, there are a multitude of inns or mini-hotels(nha khach or nha nghi). Not all are of high quality, but most offer acceptable comfort. In the more modest hotels, the hierarchy is established according to comfort - air conditioning or fan - but also according to floor (the last being always the cheapest, especially when there is no elevator...). The season is also a factor: the high season, which runs from May¹ to the end of September, also includes the months of January and February (Tet celebrations). In the major cities, expect to pay a minimum of US$40 per person for a room in a standard hotel. In mini-hotels, expect to pay between US$20 and US$30 for a double room with a certain level of comfort (in major tourist cities; elsewhere, it's half the price). All prices are given as an indication only; with tact, it is often possible to haggle. This is particularly true of resorts, which often offer substantial reductions on official rates (websites are full of promotional offers and full of pleasant surprises). More and more establishments accept payment by credit card (3% service charge), but this is not always the case, especially for the less expensive hotels.

Vietnam : Travel budget and cost of living

The strength of the euro means you can travel to Vietnam in (very) good conditions, at a relatively low cost compared with other destinations. For travellers on a budget, comfort may not be optimal, but the disadvantage will be more than made up for by the greater proximity to the rhythm of the country. Reserved, even harsh, Vietnam will nonetheless reward patient and available spirits without necessarily being equipped with a thick wallet.

Budget : on average €50/day (budget hotels, public transport and local restaurants). Some ascetics have made a fine trip on a more modest budget...

Comfort budget: average €100/day (allows you to treat yourself to a luxurious cruise on Halong Bay or in the Mekong Delta).

Luxury budget: from €150/day (top hotels and the best restaurants at every stopover).