1 Week budget friendly Vietnam itinerary

Vietnam on a Budget: 1 Week budget friendly Vietnam itinerary

Vietnam is one of the most beautiful and affordable countries in Southeast Asia. From mountains to beaches, cities to villages, there’s so much to see—and you don’t need a big budget to enjoy it all.
In this blog, we’ll take you through a 1 week Vietnam budget itinerary that gives you the best experiences for under $300 (₹25,000 approx). Yes, it’s totally possible!
Let’s break it down day by day.

🗓️ Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Budget: $25
Transport: Use airport shuttle or Grab taxi to reach your hostel.


Stay: Book a dorm bed in Hanoi’s Old Quarter ($6–$8).


Eat: Try local street food like banh mi and pho ($5).


Do: Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, visit the Night Market (free).


📍Tip: Choose a hostel that includes free breakfast to save extra bucks!

🗓️ Day 2: Explore Hanoi on a Budget

Budget: $25
Morning: Join a free walking tour of the Old Quarter.


Afternoon: Visit the Temple of Literature and train street ($2 entry).


Evening: Enjoy local beer (Bia Hoi) and street food.


📸 Must-Try: Egg coffee at Giang Café (around $1.50).

🗓️ Day 3: Ninh Binh Day Trip

Budget: $30
Ninh Binh is known as the “Halong Bay on land.”
Transport: Book a budget bus or tour from Hanoi ($10–$12).


Attractions: Explore Tam Coc, Mua Cave hike, and Trang An boat ride ($10 total).


Food: Local lunch and snacks ($8).


🌄 Mua Cave offers a breathtaking view, especially at sunset.

🗓️ Day 4: Halong Bay Day Cruise

Budget: $45
No Vietnam trip is complete without visiting Halong Bay.
Tour: Join a budget-friendly day cruise with lunch included ($35–$40).


Do: Swim, kayak, explore caves, and cruise among limestone cliffs.


Snacks & Extras: $5–$10 for drinks and small extras.


🛥️ Tip: Book with a local travel agency for the best price.

1 Week budget friendly Vietnam itinerary

 

🗓️ Day 5: Flight or Train to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)

Budget: $60
Option 1: Budget airline (VietJet, Bamboo Airways) – ~$45 with early booking.


Option 2: Sleeper train (long but scenic) – $30–$40.


Stay: Hostel in District 1 ($6–$10).
Evening: Explore Ben Thanh Night Market, enjoy street food.

🗓️ Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing

Budget: $25
Morning: Visit War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace ($4).


Afternoon: Walk to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office (free).


Evening: Try local dishes like Banh Xeo and sugarcane juice ($8).


🛵 Optional: Take a budget motorbike tour or food tour ($10–$12).

 

🗓️ Day 7: Mekong Delta Day Trip

Budget: $30
Tour: Book a cheap group tour to the Mekong Delta, includes lunch, boat ride, and local activities.


Do: Visit floating markets, coconut candy factory, and enjoy the peaceful countryside.


🍃 It’s the perfect relaxing end to your Vietnam adventure.

1 Week budget friendly Vietnam itinerary

1 Week budget friendly Vietnam itinerary

 

Total Budget Breakdown

Category

Estimated Cost

Transport

$90

Accommodation

$50

Food

$50

Activities

$80

Extras

$30

Total

$300


🌟 Money-Saving Tips
Use local buses or Grab for cheap travel.


Book hostels with free breakfast.


Eat street food—it’s cheap and delicious!


Avoid high-season months (like Dec-Jan) to get better deals.


Download Maps.me and Google Translate for offline help.

 

✅ External Links

Vietnam Tourism Official Site


Rome2Rio – Travel Planner Tool

 

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