Amid continuing price rises, a popular destination as an easy overseas travel spot isVietnam.
But some of you may have questions like "is it really cheap?" and "how much does it differ from Japan?"
In this article, from the perspective of a Japanese living in Vietnam, we'll cover the state of prices, a price comparison with Japan, and ways to save on travel.
The reality of Vietnam's prices as felt by a resident
Vietnam's prices are said to be about one-third of Japan's.
However, not everything is cheap; some things are cheap, while others feel the same as Japan or even more expensive.
And if you seek high quality in the hygiene and service of hotels and restaurants, you can't expect it to be cheap.
About Vietnam's economic growth
In recent years, Vietnam hasmaintained a high GDP growth rate of about 6–8%, with domestic demand also expanding.The consumer-goods market for cars, electronics, and the like is growing at about 5–10% a year, and the base of economic expansion is broad.
Source: On promising industries seen from Vietnam's current state and future trends
Vibrant Vietnam, with many young people in the prime of their working lives within its population.
Living on the ground, you feel the economic growth not just as numbers but as reality—new shopping centers and apartment buildings going up one after another, and Vietnamese-made electric cars increasingly seen around town.
Examples of Vietnam's prices
Water and local dishes tend to be cheap, but at tourist-oriented restaurants in urban areas the impression is that the going rate doesn't differ much from Japan.
You may come on a trip thinking you can eat your fill for a few hundred yen, only to find yourself thinking "it's more expensive than I imagined" because you prioritize quality and service.
Knowing the ballpark amounts in advance makes it easier to build a budget.
- Mineral water: 7,000–10,000 VND (about 42–60 yen)
- Phở: 40,000–70,000 VND (about 240–420 yen)
- A local massage: 200,000–400,000 VND (about 1,200–2,400 yen)
- Canned beer: 10,000–20,000 VND (about 60–120 yen)
- Coffee drunk at a café: 40,000–70,000 VND (about 240–420 yen)
- Lunch at a mid- to high-end restaurant: 200,000–500,000 VND per person (about 1,200–3,000 yen)
Hotel costs
Unlike Japan, it's a system where you're charged per room. The allowed number of people per room is set, but compared with Japan, the hotel cost per person can come out cheaper.
Because it's a bargain compared with Japan, you can stay at a guesthouse to save on travel costs, or splurge on a luxury hotel and receive first-class service as a travel memory.
| Area | Grade | Price (1 night, 1 room, 2 people) |
|---|---|---|
| Da Nang | Guesthouse / hostel | Around 2,000–6,000 yen |
| 3- to 4-star hotel | Around 10,000–30,000 yen | |
| 5-star luxury hotel | Around 20,000–100,000 yen | |
| Hanoi | Guesthouse / hostel | Around 1,000–5,000 yen |
| 3- to 4-star hotel | Around 10,000–20,000 yen | |
| 5-star luxury hotel | Around 20,000–50,000 yen | |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Guesthouse / hostel | Around 1,000–5,000 yen |
| 3- to 4-star hotel | Around 15,000–20,000 yen | |
| 5-star luxury hotel | Around 20,000–40,000 yen |
Meal costs
We've compiled the costs of meals in Vietnam's urban areas from the perspective of a local resident.
The going rate for pho
The going rate for pho differs depending on whether you eat it outdoors or at an air-conditioned restaurant that's easy for tourists to enter.
A meal at a stall is 40,000–60,000 VND (about 240–300 yen).
At air-conditioned restaurants around tourist areas, pho is set higher at 50,000–70,000 VND (about 300–420 yen).
Meal costs at a restaurant
At a clean, tourist-oriented restaurant, lunch runs about 150,000–250,000 VND (about 900–1,500 yen) per person.
In major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, many Japanese restaurants such as yakitori and sushi have expanded, and the going rate for lunch is 800–1,200 yen.
Food and drink costs at a café
At Japanese coffee chains, American coffee is served for about 300–500 yen, and the impression is that it doesn't differ much at Vietnamese cafés either.
- Vietnamese coffee: 40,000–60,000 VND (about 240–300 yen)
- ラテやカプチーノといったイタリアンコーヒー：50,000～70,000ドン（約300～420円）
Meanwhile, at roadside tea shops called quan tra da, you can take a break at cheap prices—coffee at 12,000–18,000 VND (about 70–100 yen) and tea at 4,000–5,000 VND (about 25–30 yen).
It's a high hurdle for travelers, but it's a place of respite for Vietnamese people.
Examples of food costs during a Vietnam trip
Food costs during a Vietnam trip vary greatly by plan. Eating at local stalls keeps it cheap, while tourist-oriented mid- to high-end restaurants add up.
At local stalls you may feel uneasy about hygiene. Disinfect yourself, or if you're worried about your health, avoid them.
A meal plan for the frugal
If you really want to hold down food costs, you can get by on under 3,000 yen a day.
- Morning: pho at a stall, 50,000 VND (about 300 yen)
- Lunch: a local stall, 60,000 VND (about 360 yen)
- Break: a roadside tea shop, 5,000 VND (about 30 yen)
- Dinner: a local-style restaurant, 200,000–300,000 VND per person (about 1,200–1,800 yen)
Those who also want to enjoy meals at clean restaurants should budget about 5,000–8,000 yen a day.
- Morning: pho at an air-conditioned shop, 70,000 VND (about 420 yen)
- Lunch: a tourist-oriented Vietnamese restaurant, 200,000 VND (about 1,200 yen)
- Break: a café, 70,000 VND (about 420 yen)
- Dinner: a tourist-oriented Vietnamese or Japanese restaurant, 400,000–700,000 VND (about 2,400–4,200 yen)
Transportation costs
In Vietnam's major cities, taxis or buses are the main means of getting around. Taxis in particular are cheaper than in Japan and easy to hop into.
Taxi costs
For travelers, taxis are a convenient way to get around. Using a ride-hailing app like Grab lets you know the fare in advance, reducing the chance of falling victim to overcharging.
Grabの価格は、時間帯や日によって変動しますが、おおよそ5kmで50,000～60,000ドン（約300～360円）です。
Bus costs
You need to look up your destination and bus stop, but if you want to save on travel costs, buses are recommended.
Depending on distance, 7,000–20,000 VND (about 42–120 yen); for ordinary in-city routes, around 10,000 VND (about 60 yen) is the guide.
Other costs incurred on a Vietnam trip
Souvenir costs
It varies by the amount of souvenirs and what you buy, but 5,000 yen should be enough for your own share plus handout souvenirs.
If your budget is limited, buying in bulk at local large supermarkets like Winmart and Lotte Mart can hold down costs.
- Instant Vietnamese coffee: 50,000–70,000 VND (about 300–420 yen)
- Instant pho and seasonings: 30,000–70,000 VND (about 200–420 yen)
- Dried fruit: 50,000–70,000 VND (about 300–420 yen)
- Bat Trang ware (when buying at a market): mug 120,000–150,000 VND (about 700–1,000 yen)
Communication costs
Essential for Vietnam travel is setting up a SIM. There's the method of buying a SIM card at the airport and the method of buying and setting up an eSIM in advance in Japan.
・eSIM: from about 600 yen (a plan with 5 GB a day)
・Buy a SIM card at the airport: 150,000–200,000 VND (about 900–1,200 yen) (a plan with 5–7 GB a day)
Also, in Vietnam, free Wi-Fi is available at restaurants, cafés, hotels, and the like. Making full use of these lets you avoid using your own data.
At Vietnamese cafés, the Wi-Fi password is often written on the receipt. If it isn't, ask a staff member.
Practical techniques for saving smartly
For those who want to hold costs down further, we introduce concrete money-saving techniques.
Aim for the off-season
| Area | Cheap periods | Expensive periods |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | May–August (excluding Golden Week and summer vacation) | Long holidays such as Golden Week and year-end/New Year |
| Da Nang | September–February (excluding summer vacation) | Long holidays such as Golden Week and year-end/New Year |
| Ho Chi Minh City | May–October (excluding Golden Week and summer vacation) | Long holidays such as Golden Week and year-end/New Year |
In every area, air tickets and hotel costs tend to be cheaper during the rainy-season period.
On the other hand, prices soar during long holidays. Like Japan, Vietnam also has long holidays from late April to early May.
Also, Japan's year-end and New Year period sees more tourists from other countries too, so it's better avoided.
Actively use local shops
Choose local shops that locals frequent rather than tourist-oriented restaurants. Just pay ample attention to hygiene.
For souvenirs, the same product can sometimes be bought cheaper at supermarkets than at souvenir shops in tourist areas.
Summary
If you skillfully use local shops, stalls, buses, and the like on a Vietnam trip, you can enjoy travel while holding down food and transportation costs. On the other hand, hotel, meal, communication, and souvenir costs vary greatly by area and travel style, so it's important to know the going rates in advance.
Aiming for the off-season and skillfully using supermarkets and local shops lets you save without lowering satisfaction.
Plan a Vietnam trip that suits you while considering the balance of budget and comfort.
