Asia

Vietnam backpacking itinerary

Backpacking Vietnam: The Ultimate South-to-North Itinerary

Asia, Budget Travel /

Backpacking Vietnam is a must for many world travelers. If you’re a budget traveler, this is the best country for you as it is super affordable for backpackers. With its unique cities, mountains, nice beaches, and interesting cultural heritage, Vietnam offers a bit of everything. If you are looking to go motorbiking or sipping egg coffee (Yes it is worth the hype!!), this itinerary follows a classic and well-loved backpacking route! This is the route that I completed going from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Hanoi. This guide walks you through a variety of must-do activities and helpful tips for each destination. Vietnam is full of incredible adventures and you can use this guide whether you are planning to explore Vietnam for 3 months or 10 days. 1. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) was the first city I visited in Vietnam! This is Vietnam’s largest city and is a blend of historical landmarks and modern skyscrapers. Ho Chi Minh is a great city to start in while backpacking Vietnam. It has the overwhelming sense of excitement of being in a new country and it allows you to slowly enter into the lifestyle of Vietnam! Be prepared for being scared for your life as you cross the street with cars and motorbikes coming straight at you. This city was fantastic, but I felt like I did not need to stay there for very long. I also got food poisoning here so that was an unfortunate start to my trip. Let’s get into must-do activities in this riveting city! Must-Do Activities: The Apartment Cafe: This is an iconic stop that is filled with cafes in an apartment. I saw this EVERYWHERE on TikTok and blog posts, but I honestly found it underwhelming. Regardless, trying egg coffee or salt coffee is an absolute must and it is fun getting to see the inside of what used to be an apartment.  War Remnants Museum: This museum provides a sobering look at the Vietnam War through photographs and artifacts. It’s really emotional visiting here, but the Vietnam War is a huge part of Vietnam’s history. I think this is 100% a must-visit spot.Estimated Cost: 40,000 VND (~$1.60 USD) Cu Chi Tunnels: You can explore the extensive underground network used during the war. I booked a full-day tour where we visited the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. The tour allowed us to actually go in tunnels and see what the world underground was like. They actually have expanded these tunnels for tourists, and they were much smaller during the actual war. Estimated Cost: 110,000 VND (~$4.40 USD) for entrance; tours range from $15–$30 USD Mekong Delta Tour: The Mekong Delta tour in Vietnam takes you through the river-filled region known as the “Rice Bowl” of the country. If you visit, you get to ride through the narrow canals, visit floating markets, local villages, and see how coconut candy and rice paper are made! This was a really great day trip and was filled with a variety of activities packed into the day!  Ben Thanh Market: The Ben Thanh Market is a bustling market offering local handicrafts, textiles, and street food. This is a cultural experience to walk through, but it is definitely overwhelming. Estimated Cost: Free to enter; prices vary by vendor Notre-Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office: The Post Office is an iconic French colonial architecture in the heart of the city. If you decide to send postcards at the post office, it is cheaper to buy them elsewhere rather than inside the post office. It is filled with different people selling a variety of trinkets and postcards. I sent my parents and my grandma cards from here!Estimated Cost: Free Bui Vien Street: Bui Vien Street is filled with vibrant nightlife, numerous bars, and street performers. This street was definitely overwhelming and interesting to walk through. They had ‘beach chairs’ set up in front of the bars, and then locals were dancing with minimal clothing. The street was very loud, but there were not really people drinking and dancing. I recommend booking a bar crawl with a hostel to safely enjoy the nightlife!Estimated Cost: Varies; drinks typically range from 20,000–70,000 VND (~$0.80–$2.80 USD) Tips: Uber does not exist in Vietnam. The best app to download is Grab for convenient transportation I recommend staying in District 1 for the most walkable backpacker experience. Street food is top-notch here—try bánh mì, pho, and fresh spring rolls. Expect heat and humidity. Early morning explorations are ideal depending what time of the year you go! 2. Mũi Né Mūi Nē is known to be a coastal town famous for its unique sand dunes and water sports. This was not a town for swimming and hanging out at the beach. The water was extremely dirty since it is a fishing village. I was pretty disappointed about not being able to swim here. We did a day tour with our hostel to the sand dunes, the fairy stream, and the fishing village. (Sign for a day tour here!) If you want to visit Mūi Nē, I think one day is enough unless you’re looking to chill and relax at a hostel to reset. Here’s a video of my day tour! Must-Do Activities: White Sand Dunes: These dunes are a cool experience if you’ve never been t0 sand dunes. We rented the ATV and then went sand sledding. The sand sledding was meh, nothing compared to Huacachina in Peru. Estimated Cost: ATV rental ($12 USD) Red Sand Dunes: The red sand dunes are known for sandboarding and sunset views. With our tour, we went here to watch the sunset. Estimated Cost: Sandboard rental ($0.80 USD) Fairy Stream: The fairy stream is well-known, but is really just a shallow stream flowing through red and white sand formations. There were some really picturesque spots, but overall, I found it underwhelming. It was really busy with people.Estimated Cost: 15,000 VND (~$0.60 USD) Fishing Village: The fishing village was not what I expected,

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Vietnamese Dong Cash

What Can 20,000 Dong Buy in Vietnam? A Budget Backpacker’s Guide

Asia /

Backpacking through Vietnam is a dream come true for budget travelers, and once you understand the currency, it gets even better. So let’s break it down: what can 20,000 dong buy in Vietnam? And how far will your money actually go? Vietnamese Dong to USD: Understanding the Conversion As of 2025, 20,000 VND (Vietnamese dong) is roughly equal to $0.80 to $0.85 USD, depending on the exchange rate. That means 1 U.S. dollar is worth about 23,000–25,000 dong. To make the math simple while you’re traveling, you can round up and think of 25,000 dong = $1 USD. This quick estimate will help you figure out costs on the go without needing a calculator every five minutes. What Can 20,000 Dong Buy in Vietnam? Here’s what you can usually get for 20,000 dong (~$0.80): A fresh bánh mì sandwich from a local street vendor A Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá) in small cafés A small bowl of noodles or street pho (in less touristy areas) Two bottles of water or a local soft drink Grilled street skewers (2–3 sticks, depending on the type) A portion of fresh-cut tropical fruit from a market stand A short Grab or taxi ride within the city center Admission to smaller local temples or attractions It’s wild how much you can stretch a single U.S. dollar here compared to places like Thailand, Indonesia, or even Mexico. Vietnam consistently ranks as one of the most affordable travel destinations in the world. How Much Does a Backpacker Need Per Day in Vietnam? Here’s a rough daily budget for backpackers: Category Cost (USD) Cost (Dong) Hostel Dorm Bed $5–10 125,000–250,000 VND Street Food Meals (x3) $6–9 150,000–225,000 VND Coffee + Snacks $2–3 50,000–75,000 VND Transport (Grab/Bike) $2–4 50,000–100,000 VND Attractions/Souvenirs $2–5 50,000–125,000 VND Total Daily Budget $17–30 425,000–775,000 VND   A tight-budget backpacker could realistically survive on $20 USD/day, while a more comfortable budget with the occasional treat would sit closer to $25–30 USD/day. Personally, I found that $30 USD/day was more realistic if you are looking for a budget experience, but still want to do a variety of activities during your trip. Bonus Tip: If you’re new to converting currencies in your head, just remember: 25,000 VND = $1 USDSo 100,000 dong = $4, 250,000 dong = $10, and so on. You’ll be a pro in no time! Cost of Food in Vietnam One of the best parts of traveling in Vietnam is the delicious street food scene. Here’s what meals cost: Bánh mì sandwich: 15,000–25,000 VND (~$0.60–$1) Pho or bún chả (hearty bowl of noodles): 30,000–60,000 VND (~$1.20–$2.50) Vietnamese iced coffee: 15,000–25,000 VND (~$0.60–$1) Western meals (in tourist spots): 80,000–150,000 VND (~$3.50–$6) If you stick to local food stalls, you can easily spend under 100,000 VND/day (~$4) for three meals! Accommodation Costs in Vietnam Hostel dorm beds: 100,000–250,000 VND ($4–10) Private room in a guesthouse: 250,000–500,000 VND ($10–20) Budget hotel with A/C and WiFi: 300,000–600,000 VND ($12–25) Even in more touristy cities like Hanoi, Hoi An, or Ho Chi Minh City, you can find solid options for under $10 if you book ahead or check sites like Booking.com or Agoda. I found that hostels are the cheapest way to go. I like booking everything on Expedia so that all my reservations are together and easy to find in one place! How Far Does $1 Go in Vietnam? To give you a clearer picture, here’s what $1 USD (~25,000 VND) can get you: One full meal from a street food vendor Two cups of traditional iced coffee A 1-hour bike rental Three metro/bus rides in major cities One small souvenir or local snack Compare that to Western countries where a cup of coffee alone can be $4–5—Vietnam is a budget traveler’s paradise! Is Vietnam Cheaper than Other Countries in Southeast Asia? Yes! Vietnam is generally cheaper than Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, especially for food and transportation. It’s on par with Laos and Cambodia in terms of budget, but offers better infrastructure, more free or low-cost attractions, and exceptional street food value. How Much Cash Should You Carry Daily in Vietnam? While Vietnam is becoming more card-friendly, many places still prefer or only accept cash—especially street vendors and small hostels. For backpackers: Bring 500,000–1,000,000 VND ($20–40) per day in cash Store larger bills securely and use small notes for food & transport ATMs are common in cities but may charge 30,000–50,000 VND (~$1–2) per withdrawal Final Thoughts: Is 20,000 Dong Worth Anything in Vietnam? Absolutely. In Vietnam, 20,000 dong can actually buy you something useful, like a local meal or drink. This is a country where even a few coins in USD can go a long way. So whether you’re a budget backpacker or just traveling mindfully, Vietnam offers exceptional value for your money.

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