As of March 2026, Vietnam remains one of the most affordable destinations in Asia — but prices have gone up. The crisis in the Middle East and the resulting rise in oil prices have had a domino effect on the entire cost of traveling: plane tickets, bus and boat fuel, local transport, and even street food. Based on what we’re seeing on the ground in Hanoi, we estimate this increase at around 15% compared to 2024. Vietnam remains very accessible — but it’s worth heading out with the right figures in mind.
How much does a trip to Vietnam cost in 2026?
The cost of living in Vietnam is on average 65% lower than in France. That figure alone doesn’t tell you much when budgeting a two-week trip — here’s a table that gives you an immediate overview.
| Profile | Budget/day | 10 days | 15 days | 3 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | €28–35 | €280–350 | €420–525 | €590–735 |
| Comfort | €55–75 | €550–750 | €825–1,125 | €1,155–1,575 |
| Luxury | €120–200 | €1,200–2,000 | €1,800–3,000 | €2,520–4,200 |
| Agency tour | €90–130 | €900–1,300 | €1,350–1,950 | €1,890–2,730 |
Excludes international flight. Roughly +15% compared to 2024 rates.
Why have prices gone up in 2026?
Since late 2025, the crisis in the Middle East and the resulting rise in oil prices have made the entire Vietnam travel chain more expensive. Here’s what that means concretely on the ground:
- International flights: +15 to 20% on direct Paris–Hanoi flights
- Local transport: diesel prices in Vietnam have risen 12% since January 2026 — long-distance buses, Halong Bay cruise boats and private cars have passed on part of that increase
- Daily life: a bowl of pho that cost 40,000 VND in 2024 now goes for 50,000–55,000 VND in restaurants in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Vietnam remains a very accessible destination overall — but it’s better to travel with up-to-date figures in mind.
Organized tour with an agency or independent travel: how big is the budget difference?
Organized tour with a local agency
A tailor-made tour with Parfum d’Automne includes an English-speaking guide, private car, accommodation, most meals and activities. Transport — the car and driver — is the heaviest line item, and it’s what explains the base price.
For a 15-day private trip with a guide and driver, budget upwards of €1,000 per person excluding flights, depending on the accommodation chosen and the regions visited. That rate can look high at first glance — but broken down line by line, it’s often comparable to what an independent traveler actually spends, with the added security of on-the-ground support and the expertise of a local team.
The process is simple: you send us a quote request with the number of days, your budget, the regions you’d like to visit and your accommodation preferences. We build a detailed itinerary, you fine-tune it with your travel advisor, and we book everything once the 30% deposit has been received.
Independent travel
You organize everything yourself. It’s cheaper on paper — but it takes time, a good grasp of English, and some tolerance for the unexpected. For travelers comfortable organizing things online, here are the real ranges, line by line.
The international flight: the line item hit hardest by the crisis
As of March 2026, here are the ranges by airline from Paris:
| Airline | Layover | Round-trip price | Crisis impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Airlines / Air France | Direct | €1,100–1,600 | High |
| Singapore Airlines / EVA Air | Singapore / Taipei | €900–1,200 | Moderate |
| China Southern / Xiamen Airlines | Guangzhou / Xiamen | €800–1,100 | Low |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | €900–1,100 | Moderate |
Our current recommendation: Chinese airlines offer the best rates, and their routes aren’t affected by the conflict.
Domestic flights
For a large North-South itinerary, one or two domestic flights are often unavoidable. Budget from €50 per ticket for a Hanoi–Da Nang or Hanoi–Hue flight. The two airlines we recommend: Vietnam Airlines for punctuality, VietJet Air for price — though with more delays. Book directly on their websites: prices climb quickly as the date approaches.
Accommodation, line by line
Hotels in Vietnam cost on average 70% less than in France. Here are the updated 2026 ranges:
| Category | Price/night 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dorm / hostel | €6–14 |
| Guesthouse / single room | €14–25 |
| 3-star hotel | €28–55 |
| Boutique hotel | €35–65 |
| 4-star hotel | €60–110 |
| 5-star resort | €115–290 |
| Ecolodge (Sapa, Pu Luong) | €35–210 |
| Homestay | €8–35 |
For a 15-day trip in reasonable comfort — 3-star and boutique hotels — budget an average of €40 to 60 a night for a double room. In the mountainous regions (Sapa, Pu Luong, Ha Giang), prices are often lower than in Hanoi or Hoi An.
Food: the most enjoyable line item in your budget
Eating in Vietnam remains a real treat for both your taste buds and your wallet — and it’s the line item least affected by the 2026 price increases.
| Type of meal | Price 2026 |
|---|---|
| Pho at a local restaurant | €2–2.50 |
| Banh mi (street sandwich) | €0.80–1.20 |
| Full meal at a local restaurant | €3.50–6 |
| Mid-range restaurant | €9–17 |
| Fine dining restaurant | €28–65 |
| Vietnamese coffee (ca phe) | €0.70–1.20 |
| Local beer | €0.60–1.20 |
For a couple eating well — lunch at a local restaurant, mid-range dinner, breakfast at the hotel — budget €25 to 35 a day for two.
Local transport
| Transport | Price 2026 |
|---|---|
| Grab / taxi (short in-city ride) | €1.20–4.50 |
| Local bus (ticket) | €0.30–0.50 |
| Long-distance limousine bus (e.g. Hanoi–Hue) | €14–22 |
| Overnight sleeper train (private cabin, Hanoi–Lao Cai) | €35–80 |
| Domestic flight (Hanoi–Da Nang) | €50–75 |
| Private car with driver / day | €60–120 |
| Motorbike taxi (xe om), one ride | €1–3 |
Activities
This line item is barely affected by rising prices — entrance fees for cultural sites are set by the State. The exception is Halong Bay cruises, whose boats depend on fuel.
| Activity | Indicative price 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cultural sites and monuments | €1–4 |
| Water puppet show | €4–5 |
| Cooking class (Hanoi, Hoi An) | €25–50 |
| Halong Bay cruise (2d/1n, shared) | €120–180 |
| Halong Bay cruise (2d/1n, premium) | €180–350 |
| Sapa 3-day tour (guide + accommodation) | €120–150 |
| Fansipan cable car, round trip | €15 |
| Full-day guided hike | €40–80 |
Tipping: an often-forgotten line item
This is one of the questions our travelers ask most often — and one of the most important ones for showing respect to the professionals accompanying you. English-speaking guides and drivers have seasonal or fairly low-paying jobs, and tips make up a meaningful share of their income.
Typical amounts:
- English-speaking guide: €2–3 per person per day
- Driver: €1–2 per person per day
- Rowers (Ninh Binh, Mekong Delta): €4 for the group
- Hotel and restaurant staff: not required, but appreciated for great service.
For a family of 4 over 15 days with a guide and driver, budget €150 to 200 in total tips — not a trivial amount, but one that makes a real difference for those who will have accompanied you.
Total budget by trip length: our 2026 estimates
These ranges include the international flight from Paris.
| Duration | Backpacker | Comfort | Luxury | Agency tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 days | €1,000–1,400 | €1,500–2,000 | €2,500–3,600 | €1,800–2,300 |
| 12 days | €1,200–1,700 | €1,800–2,400 | €3,000–4,300 | €2,100–2,800 |
| 15 days | €1,500–2,100 | €2,200–3,000 | €3,700–5,400 | €2,700–3,500 |
| 3 weeks | €2,100–2,900 | €3,100–4,200 | €5,200–7,600 | €3,800–4,900 |
Based on 2 people traveling together, flight from Paris included.
Practical tips to make the most of your budget
Pay in dong. It’s consistently the best exchange rate. Shops that display prices in euros or dollars almost always apply an unfavorable rate.
Always carry cash. Small restaurants, markets, street vendors and the vast majority of shops outside tourist centers operate exclusively in cash. Carry the equivalent of 50 to 100 USD in dong with you.
Withdraw from ATMs of well-known banks. Vietcombank, BIDV and Techcombank have the best rates and lowest fees. Avoid ATMs in hotels and airports.
Book your flights 4 to 5 months ahead. Given the current context, prices are climbing quickly. Chinese airlines offer the best opportunities — set up a price alert on Google Flights.
Travel in low season. June and September are the most affordable months — accommodation 10 to 20% cheaper, flights too. High season (December–April) drives prices up significantly across the board.
FAQ: budgeting for Vietnam in 2026
Is Vietnam still cheap in 2026?
Yes — despite the 15% increase linked to the geopolitical context, the cost of living remains 65% lower than in France. It’s still one of the most affordable destinations in Southeast Asia.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
French, Belgian and Swiss nationals benefit from a 45-day visa exemption. For a longer stay, the 90-day multiple-entry e-visa costs 25 USD.
Is a tour with an agency really more expensive than traveling independently?
Not necessarily. Our agency negotiates preferential rates on accommodation and activities. For a couple traveling 15 days with a private car, an English-speaking guide and 3-4 star hotels, the final price is often comparable to what an independent traveler would spend adding up every line item — with the added benefit of security and local, on-the-ground expertise.
How much do you spend per day in Vietnam in 2026?
Backpacker style: €28 to 35 per person per day on the ground. Mid-range comfort: €55 to 75. These figures exclude the international flight.
Can you pay by card in Vietnam?
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels, shopping malls and upscale restaurants. But the vast majority of daily spending — street food, markets, tuk-tuks, small shops — is done in cash. Always carry some with you.
To build your custom budget based on your itinerary and preferences, our team based in Hanoi is on hand to prepare a detailed quote for you!
