Vietnam is already a budget destination that makes a traveler feel richer. No matter where you are, traveling on a smart budget always helps. Travelling through this beautiful country is a sure way to explore at the right price!

Vietnam has the perfect combination of being fantastically cheap with having lots of fascinating sights. If you are sticking to a tight budget, you can certainly spend very little here. Vietnam gives you great value. Activities and tours, such as those to Halong Bay or the Mekong Delta, are all reasonably priced. And you would have immersed yourself in the true essence of Vietnam. Here are some money-saving tips you may want to take with you on your travel.

1. Find travel buddies

It is quite easy to find other travelers to share various costs with, which makes things all that much easier than being a solo traveler. If you are traveling as a couple or as a group of friends, most hotels and guest houses charge per room (per cabin if it is a cruise or per vehicle if it is a taxi car); not per person.

Teaming up with fellow travelers heading to the same direction should also be considered, as it is always easier to split the price of rooms and transport when there are a few of you.

2. Do the research

Knowing how much things generally cost will help prevent you from getting scammed. Even if you are planning to fly in the busiest period, you still have the possibility of saving big on your travel. Searching for online deals and discounts is a smart tactic that you must get aware of if you intend to make great savings. It would be helpful if you plan in advance and look for deals on the web. 

3. Be flexible

Timing is everything when you are attempting to save. Even the most minor tweak in your plans can change your overall costs significantly. Flexibility can get you far. Try it the next time if you can afford to travel in an off-peak season. Traveling in the shoulder seasons can help you to save a great deal. For example, if you are traveling during the summer from May to the end of September, there is a big deal for most Halong Bay cruises from 20% to 40% discount. Although it might not be ideal weather, you will still have the chance to explore a destination without getting bothered because of the crowds.

4. Eat local food

One of the highlights for traveling to any country in the world is getting to sample not only the local cuisine but also the local culture. You can save a lot of money by exploring the cheap and delicious street food available everywhere in Vietnam. This would not just save you money, but it would also let you experience what the locals eat. Local restaurants are generally only marginally more expensive. Pick a popular stand, do as the locals do and go for it.

Alternatively, if you want a truly authentic Vietnamese dining experience, eat a meal with a local family with home-stay or learn how to cook the dishes yourself with cooking class.

5. Organized tours

A lot of destinations in Vietnam can be explored without much guidance for free, but there are some parts of the country that you might want to explore with an organized tour. Sometimes organized tours are the easiest and cheapest way to explore some of the stunning sights that Vietnam has to offer, especially when you are short of time. Many of Vietnam’s tourism hotspots are famous for its beautiful natural scenery – this can make a day’s sightseeing cheap, if not free. A lot of cities are very walkable and are full of free temples and museums so just take on a walking tour around the city.

A tour in Halong Bay which includes an overnight on a junk boat is definitely worth the extra spend. Shop around and make sure you ask what is included in the price and see what else is on offer. Of course, you will not be on a tour every day, and lying on the beach is free if that is all you want to do.

6. Negotiate taxi prices before you jump in

If you are looking for a ride, taxis are in abundance in most towns and cities. However, before you jump in, be sure to negotiate for a price for your journey. And make sure you know the exact address of where you want to stop at. Generally, taxis are pretty reasonable when they have to be taken.

By going with reliable companies like Vinasun or Mai Linh, which do not fix their meters to cheat tourists, they do not cost too much. They are even much cheaper than the motorbike taxis (xe-om).

7. Bargain

As a tourist, no one expects to be charged more than the item or service is worth, but do not take it personally or feel intimidated – instead, just be confident and find ways of haggling. In some cases, learning a little Vietnamese can work well, or simply knowing when to walk away from a sale.

Above are just some tips that you should remember on your trip to Vietnam. They could make your travel more enjoyable and cheaper. As one of the cheapest destinations in the world for backpackers, Vietnam provides you an insight into the fascinating cultures and traditions in the area. If you want to get a sense of what to see and do in Vietnam, read our Vietnam travel guide – it’s a little country with a lot of ground to cover. Discovering the daily life and culture of Vietnam is a very interesting experience, enjoying the typical dishes of each region is also something visitors cannot forget and of course, low costs make you more comfortable when traveling to Vietnam.