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How Much Spending Money Do You Really Need in Vietnam? (2025 Guide)🍜☕💵
- Leanne Gayle
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
You’ve booked your flights, your hotels are locked in, and your tour itinerary is sorted...cruises, cars, and all the good stuff. So now you're wondering: How much should I actually budget each day, once I'm on the ground?
We get this question every single week.
“We’ve paid for everything major - but what do we need for daily stuff? Coffee? SIMs? Tips? Snacks?”
This is your guide to actual daily costs in Vietnam — for everything you’ll need outside your tour package. Think food, drinks, laundry, snacks, tips, souvenirs, and other bits no one talks about. Before we dive into daily spending, if you haven’t booked yet, it’s a great time to start. plan your itinerary here. We’ll help you sort cruises, transport, and tours to match your travel style — so your only job is to show up and enjoy the ride.
🧾 The Daily Spend (With Everything Else Covered)
Travel Style | Daily Spend (USD) | Covers… |
Budget | $10–$20 | Street food, water, SIM, small extras |
Comfortable | $25–$40 | Meals out, drinks, tips, a treat or two |
High-End | $50–$80+ | Fancy meals, massages, shopping |
🎯 Most of our guests land in the $25–$40/day range
☀️ A Typical Day in Vietnam (What You'll Actually Spend)
Let’s walk through a sample day once you’re here and everything else is pre-paid.
8:30 AM – Coffee + Breakfast
A cà phê sữa đá at a local café hits different in Hanoi. Strong, sweet, and perfect for people-watching.
$1.50–$2.50 USD
Grab a bánh mì or bowl of pho from a street cart nearby. $1–$3 USD
Still hungry? We’ll be jealous.
11:30 AM – SIM Top-up + Water
Forgot to activate your eSIM?
No stress. A local SIM for 7–15 days with unlimited data is about $5–$10.
One-time: $5–$10 USD
💧 Water bottle from 7-Eleven: $0.50 USD
1:00 PM – Juice + Treat
Wandering the Old Quarter or Hội An’s lantern-lined streets? Grab a fresh mango smoothie or a sugarcane juice from a vendor.
$1.50–$3 USD
Maybe a little ice cream, bánh chuối (banana pancake), or crispy spring rolls to go.
$2–$3 USD
4:00 PM – Snacks + Impulse Buys
Pop into a Circle K. You walk out with a pack of shrimp chips, hand wipes, and a mini aloe drink.
$2–$4 USD
Pass a street stall and pick up a cute tote bag or woven straw hat for your cruise tomorrow. $3–$8 USD
☀️ Still looking for a cruise?
7:00 PM – Dinner + Drinks
Local dinner at a casual restaurant: rice, grilled pork, veggies, iced tea.
$5–$7 USD
If you’re craving pizza or steak tonight (hey, no judgement), you’re closer to
$10–$15 USD.
Add a beer or cocktail?
$1.50–$6 USD
9:00 PM – Foot Massage + Tip
You spot a glowing spa sign down a side street and cave in.
1-hour massage: $10–$25 USD
🧺 Other Common Extras
Item | Price (USD) |
Laundry (per kg) | $1–$2 |
Museum/temple entry | $1–$3 |
Snacks/souvenirs | $2–$10 |
Coconut coffee or egg coffee | $2–$3 |
Cute pyjamas or lanterns | $5–$15 |
🧡 Looking for good spots to shop without being scammed? Just ask us when you arrive – we’ll point you to honest vendors we trust.
💡 Tipping in Vietnam (What’s Normal?)
Tipping isn’t expected in Vietnam – but it’s appreciated.
Situation | Tip Amount (USD) |
Spa or massage | $2–$5 |
Hotel porter | $1–$2 per bag |
Restaurant (nicer places) | 5–10% if no service fee |
Street food | No tip expected |
💬 Want to know what to tip your guide or driver? We’ll let you know in your itinerary summary so you’re never left guessing.
🤔 FAQs From Real Travellers
How much cash should I carry each day?
$20–$40 USD in local currency is usually plenty. ATMs are everywhere.
Do I need to bring USD?
Not for everyday stuff. Just exchange or withdraw Vietnamese dong when you arrive.
Can I pay by card?
In big shops and hotels, yes. But for food, drinks, markets, and taxis: cash is king.
How much do people actually spend?
Most of our guests spend $25–$40 USD per day once everything else is pre-paid. High-end guests might spend more on cocktails, massages, and shopping sprees.
🧭 Your Turn – Want a Daily Budget Based on Your Trip?
We’ll help you build a full day-by-day budget based on your dates, route, group size, and spending style.
Or check our cruise and custom tour options directly: