How much does a trip to Vietnam cost? 2027 budget for 7 days

The totals

These totals cover everything on the ground for the whole week: rooms and the cruise cabin, three meals and drinks every day, every bus, van, train and taxi, the sights on the route, a local SIM and a 10% buffer for snacks, tips and small surprises. Only the international flight is separate, and it is priced at the end. Euro figures use the bank rate of 20 October 2026 (EUR 1 = VND 28,046).

The model trip

Two adults share one private room for 7 days and 6 nights, from 13 to 19 April 2027, following our Vietnam in 7 days itinerary: two nights in Hanoi's Old Quarter; a one-night cruise on Ha Long Bay from Tuan Chau, with Ti Top, Luon cave and Sung Sot; a shared limousine van to Ninh Binh for two nights, with the Trang An boats, Hoa Lu, Hang Mua and Tam Coc; the train back to Hanoi for a last night; and home from Noi Bai. Prices were checked on 21 October 2026.

The totals assume passports that need no visa for this trip. Citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and the UK can stay 45 days without a visa, and so can those of Czechia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Switzerland. Travellers from Ireland, Austria, Portugal, the United States, Canada and Australia need an e-visa at USD 25 each, about VND 640,000; see Vietnam entry requirements. Where a hotel or restaurant publishes no price, the figure is an estimate marked "about", based on the rates and menus we could see.

Budget: about VND 19.2 million for two

A simple private double, street food, a good-value cruise that includes its own shuttle and kayaks, and buses and vans everywhere.

• Rooms and cruise, about VND 9.9 million. A simple private double in the Old Quarter (about VND 600,000 a night), a twin-share cabin on the Cozy Bay Grand cruise (from USD 139 per person, about VND 7.1 million for two, with four meals, the return shuttle from Hanoi, the bay ticket and kayaking) and a standard double in Ninh Binh city (about VND 500,000 a night).
• Food, about VND 2.4 million. About VND 200,000 a day each on land: a banh mi for breakfast (VND 30,000 at Banh Mi 25), a bowl of pho and a plate of bun cha (about VND 60,000 each), coffee (about VND 25,000, the national tourism site's typical price) and fresh juice. The cruise covers four meals.
• Getting around, about VND 2.2 million. Bus 86 to and from the airport (VND 50,000 each way), the Trang An Limousine van to Ninh Binh (VND 155,000 each), ride-hailing between the Ninh Binh sights, the train back to Hanoi (about VND 150,000 each in an air-conditioned soft seat) and short city rides.
• Sights, about VND 2.6 million. Ngoc Son Temple, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (VND 70,000), the Imperial Citadel (VND 100,000), Hoa Lo Prison, the water puppets, the Trang An boat (VND 300,000 each), Hoa Lu, Hang Mua (VND 150,000) and the Tam Coc boat (VND 250,000).
• SIM and extras, about VND 400,000. A MobiFone 7-day tourist eSIM each (VND 120,000) and some laundry.
• Buffer, about VND 1.7 million.

Mid-range: about VND 35 million for two

Three-star hotels, a well-known cruise ship, a sit-down meal or two a day and taxis on the longer hops.

• Rooms and cruise, about VND 16.1 million. Hanoi Garden Hotel (Superior Double, VND 1,350,000 on its site, about VND 1.4 million a night), a cabin on Paradise Legacy or Elegance (from USD 330 per cabin for one night with four meals; about USD 350, VND 9 million, on April dates) and the Hoang Son Peace Hotel in Ninh Binh (Superior, VND 1,450,000 a night with breakfast, VAT and service).
• Food, about VND 6.5 million. About VND 575,000 a day each: pho for breakfast, a rice or noodle lunch at a place like Quan An Ngon, a dinner such as cha ca, the dill-and-turmeric fish of Hanoi, a cappuccino (about VND 55,000) and a smoothie. Cruise meals and the Ninh Binh breakfasts are deducted.
• Getting around, about VND 5.3 million. Metered taxis to and from the airport (about VND 300,000-400,000), the cruise company's limousine shuttle (about VND 700,000 each return), the shared van to Ninh Binh, a taxi or driver for each Ninh Binh day, the train back and more taxis in town.
• Sights, about VND 3.3 million. As above, with better water-puppet seats, the Tam Coc ticket with the electric shuttle (VND 350,000) and kayak hire on the cruise.
• SIM and extras, about VND 500,000.
• Buffer, about VND 3.3 million.

Comfort: about VND 60.8 million for two

Boutique four-star hotels, a balcony cabin, restaurant meals and a private car for transfers and the Ninh Binh days.

• Rooms and cruise, about VND 25.5 million. The Hanoian Central Hotel & Spa (Superior Double from USD 100 plus tax and service, about VND 3 million a night), a balcony cabin on Paradise Elegance (about USD 450, VND 11.5 million) and the Ninh Binh Legend Hotel (Deluxe Double, about VND 2.5 million a night).
• Food, about VND 16.1 million. About VND 1.36 million a day each: hotel breakfasts, long lunches and dinners at restaurants such as HOME Hanoi, cocktails and desserts.
• Getting around, about VND 9.5 million. Private cars to and from the airport, a private transfer to the cruise pier and back, a car and driver for both Ninh Binh days, the van and the train.
• Sights, about VND 3.6 million. As mid-range, with the best puppet seats.
• SIM and extras, about VND 600,000.
• Buffer, about VND 5.5 million.

One day at each level: Trang An and Hoa Lu

Day 5 is a full day in Ninh Binh: the rowing boats of Trang An through limestone caves and river valleys, then the temples of Hoa Lu, the ancient capital. Costs are per person and include half the room.

• Budget, about VND 1 million. Banh mi and coffee, ride-hailing between the sights shared between two, the Trang An boat (VND 300,000) and Hoa Lu (VND 20,000), a simple lunch and dinner, a juice, and half of the VND 500,000 room.
• Mid-range, about VND 1.9 million. Breakfast at the hotel, half of a taxi or driver for the day, the same tickets, a sit-down lunch and dinner, and half of the Hoang Son Peace room.
• Comfort, about VND 3.5 million. Hotel breakfast, half of a car and driver, the same tickets, restaurant lunch and dinner with drinks, and half of the Ninh Binh Legend room.

Flights and the total with flights

Vietnam Airlines flies from London to Hanoi. Allow about GBP 800-1,000 per person (about VND 27-34 million) for an economy return in April; the airport charges are included in the fare.

With that flight, the whole trip comes to about VND 36.7-43.5 million per person on a budget, VND 44.6-51.4 million mid-range or VND 57.5-64.3 million in comfort. Tipping is not expected in restaurants and cafes, though it is appreciated; guides and spa staff are tipped more often. The buffer covers it.