How much spending money do you need for two weeks in Vietnam?

For a two-week trip to Vietnam, a sensible amount of spending money is roughly £300 to £600 per person — assuming your flights, hotels and main transport are already booked as part of a tour. Vietnam is outstanding value: the pound goes a very long way, so meals, drinks, taxis and treats cost a fraction of UK prices, and your holiday money stretches further than almost anywhere you might travel long-haul.

That range covers the meals that aren't included, drinks, tips, souvenirs (Vietnam is wonderful for tailoring, silk, coffee and crafts), and optional extras — with room to enjoy yourself. Spend less if you're happy with street food and simple pleasures; budget more if you like smart dinners and plenty of shopping.

Here's what everyday things cost, what to tip, and how to handle cash and cards. (Figures are approximate, in pounds; the local currency is the Vietnamese dong, and exchange rates move over time.)

The quick answer

• Budget roughly £300–£600 per person as spending money for two weeks, on top of a pre-booked tour.
• Vietnam is excellent value — street food, taxis and treats cost very little.
• Cash (dong) is used for most day-to-day spending; cards work in hotels and cities.
• Tipping is modest and not traditional, but increasingly appreciated for good service.
• A street-food bowl of pho is often £1–£3; a restaurant meal £4–£10.
• The dong runs to large numbers (tens of thousands to the pound) — count zeros carefully.
• ATMs are widespread but some have low limits and fees — draw larger amounts where you can.
• Vietnam is superb for tailoring and shopping — set a separate budget.

On an organised trip, the costly things are already covered, which keeps daily spending very low. Typically included: your flights, hotels, internal flights, a Halong Bay cruise, transfers, guided sightseeing and often breakfast (and full board on the cruise).

What you'll usually pay for yourself: lunches and dinners outside the hotel, drinks, tips, souvenirs and tailoring, and optional excursions (a cookery class, a cyclo tour, a water-puppet show). Because Vietnam is so cheap, even these add up slowly — you can eat superbly for a few pounds. Always check exactly which meals your itinerary includes, as that's the biggest factor in how much cash you'll get through.

Vietnam's value shows up in the everyday prices (approximate, in pounds):

• Bowl of pho or a street-food meal: £1–£3
• Meal at a good local restaurant: £4–£10
• A smarter dinner or a rooftop bar: £15–£30
• A local beer or Vietnamese coffee: £0.75–£2
• Short taxi or Grab ride: £1.50–£4
• A tailored shirt or dress in Hoi An: £15–£50
• A market souvenir: a few pounds

Put together, if you're covering your own meals and enjoying the odd treat, a comfortable £20–£35 a day per person goes a long way — often with change to spare. Over two weeks that's roughly £300–£500, plus tips and any tailoring or shopping, landing you in the £300–£600 range. Few destinations let your money stretch this far.

Tipping. Tipping is not a strong tradition in Vietnam and is never obligatory, but it's increasingly common and appreciated:

• Restaurants: round up, or leave around 5–10% at nicer places if service isn't added.
• Tour guides and drivers: a few pounds per person per day is a kind gesture — genuinely valued on a longer trip.
• Halong cruise and hotel staff: a small tip for good service.
• Cyclo and porter: a small note.

Cash and cards.

• Vietnam is largely a cash economy for day-to-day spending — carry dong for street food, markets and small towns. Note the currency runs to large numbers, so count your zeros.
• Cards are accepted in hotels, city restaurants and shops, less so elsewhere.
• ATMs are widespread, but some have low withdrawal limits and fees, so draw larger amounts where you can and tell your bank you're travelling.
• Keep cash and a spare card in the hotel safe.

How our experience helps

On our trips the big costs are handled, and your guide can point you to the best-value restaurants, the trustworthy tailors in Hoi An and fair taxi fares, and help you navigate the cash and the currency's many zeros. Because Vietnam is so affordable and so much is arranged in advance, most travellers are pleasantly surprised by how little spending money they need — and how far it goes.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vietnam cheap for UK tourists? Very — it's one of the best-value long-haul destinations. Street food, local restaurants, taxis and treats all cost a fraction of UK prices, so your spending money stretches a long way.

Should I take dong, pounds or dollars? Draw dong from ATMs for day-to-day spending, and use cards in hotels and cities. Clean US dollars can be a handy backup, but you'll mostly spend in dong.

How much should I budget for tips in Vietnam? Not much — tipping is modest and optional. Small tips for guides, drivers and good service across two weeks might total £20–£40 per person.

Can I use my UK card in Vietnam? In hotels, city restaurants and shops, yes; street food, markets and small places are cash-only. ATMs are common, though some have low limits and fees.

Why are Vietnamese prices such big numbers? The dong trades at tens of thousands to the pound, so everyday prices run into the hundreds of thousands. Count the zeros carefully, especially when paying and getting change.

Is Vietnam good for shopping? Excellent — especially tailoring in Hoi An, plus silk, lacquerware, coffee and crafts. Set a separate shopping budget, as it's very tempting.

Related reading

• How many days do you need in Vietnam?
• Is Vietnam safe for travellers over 60?
• The best time to visit Vietnam