Is Vietnam Expensive for Indians? Real 2026 Budget Breakdown
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
Vietnam is cheaper than India for almost every category an Indian backpacker spends on: dorm beds, street food, beer, taxis, and intercity buses. The two exceptions are flights from India and imported Indian food inside Vietnam, both of which can sting. Verified against Viettel/Mobifone SIM pricing, current Grab fares in Hanoi and HCMC, and traveller reports from June 2026. Planning a broader SEA trip? Our South East Asia backpacking hub covers costs across every country.
The short version: budget travellers get by on ₹3,131-₹4,420 (~850,000-1,200,000 VND or ~$32.47-$45.84) a day outside Hanoi and HCMC, mid-range sits at ₹6,629-₹10,312 (~1,800,000-2,800,000 VND or ~$68.77-$106.97), and only the “I want a hotel and a steak every night” tier crosses ₹14,732 (~4,000,000 VND or ~$152.82). That covers beds, three meals, transport, and one entry fee. A two-week trip from India typically lands between ₹55,000 (~$570.52) and ₹90,000 (~$933.57) all-in, with airfare doing most of the damage.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm bed, Hanoi/HCMC | ₹663-₹1,289 (~180,000-350,000 VND or ~$6.88-$13.37) | ₹665-₹1,290 (~$6.90-$13.38) |
| Private room (budget guesthouse) | ₹1,657-₹2,946 (~450,000-800,000 VND or ~$17.19-$30.56) | ₹1,665-₹2,960 (~$17.27-$30.70) |
| Street food meal (pho, banh mi, com) | ₹92-₹184 (~25,000-50,000 VND or ~$0.96-$1.91) | ₹92-₹184 (~$0.95-$1.91) |
| Sit-down Vietnamese lunch | ₹258-₹552 (~70,000-150,000 VND or ~$2.67-$5.73) | ₹260-₹555 (~$2.70-$5.76) |
| Beer at a Bia Hoi corner | ₹29-₹55 (~8,000-15,000 VND or ~$0.31-$0.57) | ₹30-₹55 (~$0.31-$0.57) |
| Coffee (ca phe sua da) | ₹55-₹110 (~15,000-30,000 VND or ~$0.57-$1.15) | ₹55-₹110 (~$0.57-$1.14) |
| GrabBike (short hop) | ₹37-₹92 (~10,000-25,000 VND or ~$0.38-$0.96) | ₹35-₹90 (~$0.36-$0.93) |
| GrabCar (within city) | ₹147-₹295 (~40,000-80,000 VND or ~$1.53-$3.06) | ₹150-₹295 (~$1.56-$3.06) |
| Sleeper bus Hanoi to Hoi An | ₹921-₹1,473 (~250,000-400,000 VND or ~$9.55-$15.28) | ₹925-₹1,480 (~$9.60-$15.35) |
| SIM card (Viettel 14-day, ~6GB) | ₹479 (~130,000 VND or ~$4.97) | ₹480 (~$4.98) |
| E-visa fee | ₹2,410 (~25 USD) | ₹2,410 (~$25) |
| Return flight Delhi/Mumbai to Hanoi | ~₹12,890-₹22,835 (~3,500,000-6,200,000 VND or ~$133.71-$236.86) | ₹18,000-₹32,000 (~$186.71-$332.13) |
FX rate used: 1 INR = 270.27 VND (1 VND ≈ ₹0.0037), 1 USD = ₹96.33. Verified 2026-07-17.
Vietnam vs India: The Honest Price Comparison
Most Indian backpackers assume Vietnam is roughly the same price as Goa, Manali, or Kerala. It isn’t. It’s noticeably cheaper on the day-to-day and noticeably more expensive on the getting-there.
What is cheaper in Vietnam than in India
- Street food. A bowl of pho in Hanoi or a banh mi in HCMC costs ₹92-₹184 (~25,000-50,000 VND or ~$0.96-$1.91). The equivalent Indian thali at a no-frills Punjabi dhaba in Delhi runs ₹120-₹180 (~$1.24-$1.87).
- Beer. Bia Hoi (fresh draft beer, brewed daily) is ₹29-₹44 (~8,000-12,000 VND or ~$0.31-$0.46) a glass. A Kingfisher at a Mumbai tapri is ₹120-₹180 (~$1.24-$1.87). The Vietnam pint is roughly ₹30-₹45 (~$0.31-$0.47).
- Dorm beds. Central Hanoi and HCMC hostels price dorms at ₹663-₹1,105 (~180,000-300,000 VND or ~$6.88-$11.46). A comparable dorm in Pushkar or Rishikesh runs ₹500-₹900 (~$5.19-$9.34). Vietnam works out to ₹665-₹1,100 (~$6.90-$11.41), often with better build quality and free breakfast.
- Coffee. Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk is ₹55-₹92 (~15,000-25,000 VND or ~$0.57-$0.96) at a street stall. A roadside chai in India is ₹10-₹20 (~$0.10-$0.21), so technically India wins on absolute price, but for what you get (a real espresso-style coffee in a sit-down setting), Vietnam wins on value.
- Long-distance transport. The Hanoi to Hoi An overnight sleeper bus is ₹921-₹1,473 (~250,000-400,000 VND or ~$9.55-$15.28). The same distance covered by an Indian Rajdhani 3AC sleeper runs ₹800-₹1,500 (~$8.30-$15.56) plus a ₹200 (~$2.07) taxi each end. The sleeper bus wins on price and on the fact that it arrives at 5am ready to sightsee, not bleary-eyed at a railway station 20km from town.
What is more expensive in Vietnam than in India
- Flights from India. Round-trip economy from Delhi or Mumbai to Hanoi or HCMC in low season is ₹18,000-₹26,000 (~$186.71-$269.70). Peak December and May push that to ₹28,000-₹45,000 (~$290.45-$466.79). The equivalent Goa or Kerala flight from the same metros is ₹6,000-₹14,000 (~$62.24-$145.22).
- Indian food in Vietnam. A thali at Shri Natraj in HCMC or Royal Rajasthan in Hanoi runs ₹552-₹921 (~150,000-250,000 VND or ~$5.73-$9.55). An identical thali in Punjab or Delhi is ₹180-₹300 (~$1.87-$3.11). Converted: Vietnam is ₹555-₹925 (~$5.76-$9.60) for the same dish. Stick to local food unless you genuinely need a dal-rice fix.
- Alcohol above Bia Hoi. Imported whisky and wine are taxed heavily. A Glenfiddich at a Hanoi rooftop bar is 350,000+ VND. The same pour in a Delhi five-star hotel is ₹600-₹900 (~$6.22-$9.34).
- Western breakfast. Eggs, toast, and coffee at a tourist cafe is ₹295-₹442 (~80,000-120,000 VND or ~$3.06-$4.58). The same at an Indian tourist cafe in Manali is ₹200-₹350 (~$2.07-$3.63). Vietnam still wins, but the gap narrows.
- Anything branded imported. Levi jeans, Nike shoes, Apple products all carry the same global price tags converted to INR, so they feel expensive against the local cost of living even though they aren’t overpriced.
Step-by-Step: Building Your Vietnam Budget
Step 1: Lock the airfare first
Everything else is rounding error compared to the flight. Use Google Flights with a flexible date search from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, or Kolkata to Hanoi (HAN) or HCMC (SGN). Budget airlines (VietJet, AirAsia) drop into the ₹18,000-₹24,000 (~$186.71-$248.95) window if you book 6-8 weeks out for September or October. December and April-May push 50-80% higher.
Step 2: Book your e-visa before you pack
Vietnam’s e-visa costs ₹2,410 (~25 USD), is valid 90 days, multiple entry, and applies at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. No visa-on-arrival for Indian passports, so this is non-negotiable. Apply at least 3 working days before departure (officially; allow 7-10 days as buffer, see FAQ). You’ll need a 4x6cm white-background photo taken in the last 6 months. The full breakdown is in our Vietnam 90-day e-visa guide for Indian travelers.
Step 3: Plan your cities
A sensible two-week route for first-time Indian backpackers: Hanoi (3 nights) → Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh day trip (1 night) → sleeper bus to Hoi An via Da Nang (3 nights) → fly Da Nang to HCMC (3 nights) → Mekong Delta day trip (1 night) → fly home. This covers the four signature regions without backtracking.
Step 4: Set your daily number
Pick a tier and stick to it. Realistic daily budgets per person in 2026, verified against hostel and food prices in Hanoi, Da Nang, and HCMC:
| Tier | Daily spend (VND) | Daily spend (₹) | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | ₹3,131-₹4,420 (~850,000-1,200,000 VND or ~$32.47-$45.84) | ₹3,145-₹4,440 (~$32.62-$46.06) | Dorm bed, street food 3x, one coffee, one beer, GrabBike, one entry |
| Mid-range | ₹6,629-₹10,312 (~1,800,000-2,800,000 VND or ~$68.77-$106.97) | ₹6,660-₹10,360 (~$69.08-$107.46) | Private budget room, mix of street + sit-down meals, drinks, GrabCar |
| Comfort | ₹14,732-₹23,940 (~4,000,000-6,500,000 VND or ~$152.82-$248.33) | ₹14,800-₹24,050 (~$153.52-$249.47) | 3-star hotel, full-service restaurants, taxis, a paid activity/day |
Add ₹552-₹1,105 (~150,000-300,000 VND or ~$5.73-$11.46) a day if you’re doing an entry-fee-heavy day (Ha Long Bay cruise, Hoi An ancient town ticket, Cu Chi tunnels).
Step 5: Sort your money before you fly
Carry ₹19,281-₹28,921 (~200-300 USD) in cash as a backup. Bring a forex card (HDFC, Niyo, or Axis) loaded with USD for ATM withdrawals. Vietnamese ATMs charge ₹81-₹203 (~22,000-55,000 VND or ~$0.84-$2.10) per withdrawal, so take out ₹7,366-₹11,049 (~2,000,000-3,000,000 VND or ~$76.41-$114.61) at a time to amortize the fee. The full mechanics are in using international cards in Vietnam and the INR to VND exchange guide.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Don’t pre-convert INR to VND in India. The Indian forex counter rate is 5-8% worse than the Vietnamese ATM or gold-shop rate. Carry USD, withdraw VND locally.
Step 6: Get connected on landing
Buy a Viettel or Mobifone tourist SIM at the airport kiosks on arrival. ₹479 (~130,000 VND or ~$4.97) gets 14 days and roughly 6GB of data, which is more than enough for Grab, Google Maps, and WhatsApp calls home. If you don’t want to queue at the airport, Get Nomad eSIM delivers the same data plan to your inbox before you board.
What to Eat (and What It Costs)
Vietnamese food is the single best thing about the country for Indian vegetarians, because Buddhist-influenced menus mean tofu and vegetable dishes are everywhere. You don’t need to hunt for veg food the way you do in Thailand.
Local and vegan-friendly spots
- Nhà An (Hoi An) is a Vietnamese local spot with an explicit vegan menu, rated 4.8. The Cao Lau and white-rose dumplings are made with rice noodles and pork-free fillings by default. Around ₹221-₹331 (~60,000-90,000 VND or ~$2.29-$3.44) a dish.
- Hoang’s Restaurant (Da Nang) is rated 4.9 and runs both Vietnamese and vegan menus. Banh Xeo here is the standout, made with coconut milk and turmeric, vegetable-only on request. Around ₹295-₹442 (~80,000-120,000 VND or ~$3.06-$4.58).
- NGON DA NANG sits at 4.9 and does Bun Cha Ca (turmeric fish noodle soup, with a tofu version) and Banh Xeo in a rustic open-air setting. Mains ₹258-₹479 (~70,000-130,000 VND or ~$2.67-$4.97).
- Sen Trang An (Hanoi) is the Old Quarter vegan-leaning choice near Hoan Kiem Lake. Bun Cha and pho chay (vegetarian pho) run ₹221-₹368 (~60,000-100,000 VND or ~$2.29-$3.82).
- Vietnamese Soul Food (HCMC) is a District 1 street-food counter, rated 4.5. The com suon (broken rice with grilled pork) and banh mi fillings run ₹110-₹184 (~30,000-50,000 VND or ~$1.15-$1.91).
When you need an Indian fix
Strict-veg travellers who’ve had enough of rice-noodle breakfasts will find a working Indian restaurant in every tourist hub.
- Royal Rajasthan Indian Restaurant, Hanoi has been running since 1992, rated 4.7, and serves North Indian curries with a labelled veg menu. Dal makhani and paneer butter masala around ₹552-₹737 (~150,000-200,000 VND or ~$5.73-$7.64).
- Shri Natraj Indian Cuisine (HCMC) is the District 1 standard for North Indian food, rated 4.5, with biryani and tandoori. Thalis around ₹663-₹921 (~180,000-250,000 VND or ~$6.88-$9.55).
- The One Indian Halong Restaurant doubles as a seafood Vietnamese spot but has a full Indian menu. Useful if you’re doing a Ha Long Bay day trip.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Eat Indian food once every four or five days max. The ₹737 (~200,000 VND or ~$7.64) difference between a Vietnamese and an Indian meal adds up to ₹7,000 (~$72.61) a week, which is what your dorm costs.
Common Mistakes Indian Travellers Make in Vietnam
Mistake 1: Budgeting as if Vietnam costs the same as Thailand
India backpackers who’ve already done Thailand tend to assume Vietnam is at par. It isn’t. Vietnam is roughly 20-30% cheaper on beds, food, and beer than Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Budget accordingly or you’ll come home with unspent cash you should’ve spent on Ha Long Bay.
Mistake 2: Eating Indian food every meal
Even at ₹555-₹925 (~$5.76-$9.60) a thali, this adds up. Three Indian meals a day for a week is ₹11,600-₹19,400 (~$120.33-$201.24). Switch to Vietnamese, and the same week is ₹4,000-₹6,500 (~$41.49-$67.42) for food. Travellers report this is the single biggest money mistake Indian backpackers make in Vietnam.
Mistake 3: Booking through a “Vietnam tour package” site that costs 3x
Indian travel sites selling Vietnam packages for ₹80,000-₹120,000 (~$829.84-$1,244.77) are loading up flights, hotels, and tours at retail and marking them up. The same independent itinerary, booked direct, is ₹55,000-₹70,000 (~$570.52-$726.22).
Mistake 4: Converting INR to VND in India
Airport and city forex counters in India charge 6-9% above mid-market on VND. The mid-market rate right now is 1 INR ≈ 270 VND. If an Indian forex counter offers you ₹1 (~245 VND or ~$0.01) per rupee, you’re losing 9% before you board the flight. Carry USD and withdraw VND in Vietnam.
Mistake 5: Skipping the e-visa application until the last week
The Vietnam e-visa portal officially says 3 working days. Apply 7-10 days before departure to give yourself buffer. The portal does not work on Vietnamese public holidays, and there’s no fast-track option for Indians.
What Most Guides Don’t Tell You
The Bia Hoi corner is the budget cheat code
Hanoi has bia hoi corners, fresh draft beer brewed daily, served on plastic stools from 10am onwards. ₹29-₹44 (~8,000-12,000 VND or ~$0.31-$0.46) a glass. That’s ₹30-₹45 (~$0.31-$0.47). Two glasses and you’ve spent the equivalent of a Mumbai chai. The tradition is fading in central Hanoi but still alive in the Old Quarter alleys off Ta Hien Street. HCMC has lost most of its bia hoi corners; Hanoi is where to find them.
Sunday is a different country
Most shops, restaurants, and cafes outside the tourist belt take a quiet day on Sunday or Monday. Plan around this: stock up on snacks, water, and SIM top-ups on Saturday. Trains and sleeper buses still run, but restaurants may close without warning.
Taxis refuse to use the meter in Hanoi, then quote 5x
Insist on the meter, or skip the taxi and book a Grab. GrabBike (motorbike) for a 3km hop in central Hanoi is ₹37-₹66 (~10,000-18,000 VND or ~$0.38-$0.69). A taxi refusing to use the meter will quote ₹368 (~100,000 VND or ~$3.82) for the same ride. Same applies in HCMC, Da Nang, and Nha Trang. Open Grab before you leave the hotel so the driver sees you’ve already got an alternative.
The dorm premium in HCMC is real
A central District 1 dorm costs ₹921-₹1,289 (~250,000-350,000 VND or ~$9.55-$13.37). A Bui Vien backpacker street dorm can drop to ₹663 (~180,000 VND or ~$6.88) but the noise is brutal. If you’re sleeping light, pay the extra ₹258 (~70,000 VND or ~$2.67) for District 1.
FAQ
Is Vietnam cheaper than India for tourists?
Yes, on the ground. Vietnam is roughly 20-30% cheaper than India for street food, beer, and dorms. The exception is flights from India and Indian food inside Vietnam, both of which can cost more than in India.
How much money do I need for 1 week in Vietnam from India?
₹25,000-₹40,000 (~$259.33-$414.92) on the ground (excluding flights), depending on tier. Add ₹18,000-₹32,000 (~$186.71-$331.94) for return airfare. A realistic two-week all-in trip from Delhi is ₹55,000-₹90,000 (~$570.52-$933.57).
Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand for Indians?
Yes, slightly. Vietnam runs about 15-20% below Thai prices for food and beds in comparable cities (Hanoi vs Chiang Mai, HCMC vs Bangkok). Flights from India to both are similar.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam as an Indian?
Yes. Vietnam offers a 90-day multiple-entry e-visa for Indian passports at ₹2,410 (~25 USD). Apply at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn at least 3-7 working days before departure. There is no visa-on-arrival for Indian passports. See the Vietnam e-visa guide for Indians for the full walkthrough.
Can I use UPI in Vietnam?
No, not at most places. A handful of tourist-area shops in Hanoi and HCMC started accepting UPI in late 2025, but it’s not reliable. Use cash (VND), a forex card, or a Visa/Mastercard via ATM. The full mechanics are in using international cards in Vietnam.
Is Vietnam safe for solo Indian travellers?
Yes. Vietnam has low violent-crime rates against tourists, and the Indian community is large enough in Hanoi and HCMC that you’ll find Hindi speakers in most backpacker areas. Standard precautions: watch for Grab-refusing taxi scams, keep your passport in the hotel safe, and check your government’s travel advisory at mea.gov.in before departure for the current political and weather situation.
