Smart Travel Hacks to Save Time & Money in Vietnam

Explore Vietnam on a budget with smart travel hacks. Learn how to save money on transport, food, and stay while making the most of your time and experiences.

At Teloka, we understand perfectly just how thrilling and low-cost Vietnam is for a trip in 2025. It is an exotic country where every step is a new experience waiting to unfold, be it the steaming street food in Hanoi or the sun-kissed beaches in Da Nang. But sophisticated travelers value their time, cash, and effort and thus would need to optimize them to their absolute potential.

This is the particular reason we have formed this guide to travel, considering the hacks and tips to optimize the expenses, and being able to communicate immediately following the flight with eSIM for Vietnam.

If it is the first time chucking Vietnam, or you happen to be travelling around the city, or taking an extended visit to the country just to understand the culture, it really doesn't matter. We have the needed experience to optimize the trip in terms of efficiency, safety, and fun.

A solo traveler embracing the charm and culture of Vietnam. Source - Freepik.com

1. What You Can Learn?

In this guide, you will learn about:

• The expenses related to traveling in Vietnam on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis
• The travel expenditures on food, lodging, and transport.
• The travel hacks we utilize for ourselves in saving time and funds.
• Keeping in contact is the most effective strategy to use the best eSIM for Vietnam.
• In 2025, the vacation spots in Vietnam will remain budget-friendly.
• Safety tips and cultural advice that enhance your experience

2. Average Cost of a Trip to Vietnam in 2025

Nothing to worry, we've done the math for you:

Insider tip: A lot of people traveling in Vietnam for the first time are astonished by how cost-effective Vietnam is in comparison to the surrounding countries. With a few hacks, it can be even more affordable.

3. Budget Breakdown: Where Your Money Goes

Accommodation

Let's analyze how those expenses can accumulate and how much you will be paying.

From homestays to luxury hotels, Vietnam offers accommodation for every travel style and budget. Source - Freepik.com

Hostels: $6 - $12 a night.

Guesthouses: $15 - $25.

Hotels: $30 - $60.

Our tip is to stay a little farther away from tourist hotspots. If not, you can save 30% while still being close to the action.

Food & Drinks

Eating locally is a smart way to travel. Some of our favorites are eating local.

Tasty food and drinks in Vietnam are cheap and easy to find on every corner. Source - Freepik.com

Street food: $2-$4

Restaurants: $6-$12

Coffee/Beer: $1-$2

Hack: Authentic street food is not only cheap. In fact, some of the meals in Vietnam cost less than a cup of coffee in your country.

Transportation

Getting to Vietnam is now made easier because of the available options for every budget.

Grab rides: $1-$3

Buses: $0.30-$0.50

Scooters: $6-$8 per day

Overnight trains: $25-$35

Hack: Traveling overnight is the best option. It helps you save money and time.

Activities & Attractions

Museums/temples: $1-3

Tours: $15-30

National parks: $5-15

Internet & SIM Cards

Being a wanderer in the 21st century comes with its own challenges, and spending so long in foreign lands, an eSIM for a Vietnam card is more of a necessity than a convenience.

Teloka believes that the best eSIM for Vietnam is dependable, adaptable, and quick. That is why we offer Teloka Vietnam eSIM, and you can now connect anywhere, avoid roaming charges, and stay online.

Add-ons, Insurance & Visas

Visa (30-day): $25-$30

Travel Insurance: $40-$60 per month

Daily expenses: $3-$5

4. Smart Travel Hacks to Save Time and Money

These are our personal tricks when traveling.

• Book flights more affordably in local currency.
• Download the Teloka eSIM for Vietnam and activate your eSIM on the plane to avoid big lines for SIM cards.
• To avoid paying for a hotel, travel on midnight buses or trains, and change some money.

5. Easy Ways to Save Money While Traveling

Hacks for Accommodation

We often deal directly with guesthouses, and for long stays, it's common to get 20% price cuts, especially when payment is done in cash.

Dining Tips & Tactics

Eat local. Vietnamese street food is safe and delicious, and you can get a meal for $3, making it a great deal for authentic cuisine.

Transport Tips & Tactics

Grab is the best for short rides. It's affordable and completely clear. Explore the city with a lot of fun on a scooter.

Tactics & Travel Tips

Buy combo tickets, do not go with the biggest crowds, and go early to popular places to save money.

6. Best Budget-Friendly Places to Visit in Vietnam

We have traveled the breadth of Vietnam, and here are the most cost-friendly locations for you:

Phong Nha-Ke Bang: Incredible caves with fewer crowds.

Ninh Binh: Boat rides and temples in the most beautiful scenery.

Da Nang & Hoi An: You can enjoy beaches and culture for less cost.

Mekong Delta: Enjoy the beauty of floating markets and real village life.

Read Also - The Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

7. Travel Safely and Avoid Common Mistakes

At Teloka, we don't want anything to happen to you, so remember these things below:

• Be aware of scams and overcharging for taxi rides.
• While riding as passengers, always wear helmets on scooters.
• When at temples, don't wear revealing robes, and learn how to say hello in the language and use it.

8. Final Tips Before You Go

Having fun when in Vietnam is easy without spending a lot of money. Smart routing with local travel, coupled with local cuisines, offers a lot. Guesthouses with affordable prices are in plenty, as well as cheap street food, day tours, and unforgettable experiences. In Vietnam, this is very cheap for all sorts of travelers. For a little charge, you can optimize comfort and experiences. And above all, don't forget to stay connected. At Teloka, with our Vietnam eSIM, you will stay connected without breaking the bank.

Unlike other eSIMs, our best eSIM for Vietnam works the moment you step off your flight into Vietnam. There is no need to deal with buying or changing physical SIMs. On top of that, you will no longer have to worry about going over your data limit. Teloka's services will give you roaming charge-free travel and allow you to relax and be comfortable. From the moment you step off your flight, you will feel at ease, safe, and happy.