Planning your own budget? Our guide How much does a Vietnam 2 weeks trip cost? breaks it down by stage and travel style.
Hi everyone! As someone passionate about Asian cultures and stunning landscapes, I’d like to share my 15-day Vietnam travel budget, from north to south. This 15-day Vietnam tour combines natural wonders like Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta, iconic historical sites, and immersive cultural experiences. In this article, I will share not only my day-by-day itinerary, but also the details of the expenses: hotels, meals, activities, transport, souvenirs... Everything so that you can get a clear idea of the Vietnam 15 days budget needed for a complete and realistic trip.
After two days exploring Hanoi on a city tour that I had booked through Autour Asia, a travel agency in Vietnam, I finally took the road to Ha Long Bay. The bus ride takes about 4 hours and costs between 150,000 and 200,000 VND per person (about €6 to €8), depending on the type of service chosen. The landscapes were already a spectacle: green rice fields, picturesque villages and karst reliefs announced a 15-day trip to Vietnam rich in discoveries.
At Tuan Chau Harbor, I boarded a cruise on the UNESCO-listed bay. The ticket included a seafood lunch and cost around 1,200,000 VND per person (≈€45). I visited Sung Sot Cave and kayaked in Luon Cave, a fairytale experience.
Around 4:00 p.m, I returned to the boat for a sunset party with wine, fruit and cookies, while we took the road back to the port. Arriving at the port, I took the bus back to Hanoi, then the transfer to Ninh Binh allowed me to continue admiring the beautiful karst landscapes. Once there, I spent the night at Tam Coc Green Haven Retreat, at about 1,300,000 VND per room (€49).
Approximate cost for Day 1: €100
Woke up with a breathtaking view of the limestone mountains of Ninh Binh, I went to Tam Cốc – Bích Động, a must-see place in Vietnam. When I arrived, I bought my entrance ticket for 250,000 VND per adult (€9), while the visit to Bích Động Temple was still free. There, I enjoyed a simple but tasty lunch for about €8, enjoying the serenity of the surrounding landscape.
In the afternoon, I got on a bike provided by the hotel to reach the Thung Nham Bird Park. The ticket cost 150,000 VND (€6), and the bike was free. Walking between the rice fields and observing the colonies of exotic birds in their natural habitat was a real moment of connection with nature.
After a quick shower and a light dinner, I got ready for the night train to Dong Hoi, which cost ~€27, thus closing this day full of discoveries.
For my third day in Vietnam, I was picked up directly from my hotel and we took the mythical Ho Chi Minh Trail to reach the Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng National Park, a site recognized twice by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage. This park is the largest in the country and is home to famous wonders like Phong Nha Cave, Paradise Cave, Dark Cave, and even the legendary Son Doong Cave.
Our first stop was Paradise Cave. To get there, I took the little electric train to cover nearly 2 km (€0.8), then climb more than 500 steps to the entrance. The ticket cost 250,000 VND per adult (€9). The interior is an incredible sight: glittering stalactites and grandiose rock formations that make it feel like you're walking in a natural palace.
After this visit, we had lunch at the Dark Cave restaurant, before leaving for the adventure. The Dark Cave is an expedition route: with helmet, headlamp and swimming equipment, I swam in Lake Thuy Tien, walked in the cave and enjoyed a relaxing mud bath. The full ticket cost 450,000 VND per adult (€17), including 80,000 VND for admission and 370,000 VND for services.
In the afternoon, I continued with a kayaking session on the Chay River, enjoying the lush scenery and thrills offered by ziplines and water activities.
At the end of the day, I settled in for the night at Hugo Homestay in Phong Nha, about 600,000 VND (€≈23), and had dinner for 200,000 VND (€≈8). This day’s schedule allowed me to enjoy all the activities while staying within my Vietnam 15 days budget.
For this fourth day, after breakfast at the hotel, I left my accommodation to head to the Phong Nha – Kẻ Bàng National Park. Upon arrival, I took part in the Phong Nha Tour (€65), which allowed me to relax in the beautiful surroundings of the Phong Nha Botanic Garden, admire the Gio waterfall, the Golden Lake, and observe rare species such as monkeys, porcupines, squirrels and wild orchids. I was even able to swim in a clear stream by the lake.
Lunch was held at a local restaurant, followed by a moment of rest before visiting the famous Phong Nha Cave. This cave, emblematic of the heritage of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng, is unique in Vietnam for its underground river and is classified as one of the few caves in the world according to the criteria of the Royal British Cave Society.
At the end of the day, the bus took me back to Dong Hoi, for an additional cost of about €8. I then settled in for the night at Lena Homestay & Villa, with a room at about €31, enjoying simple and pleasant comfort. This day, rich in natural discoveries and local fauna, fit perfectly into my Vietnam 15 days budget.
On the fifth day, I took the road from Phong Nha towards the DMZ to visit the Vinh Moc tunnels, a refuge for hundreds of villagers during the war. Walking through these dark galleries, learning that 17 children had been born there, was a deeply moving experience. After this visit, I made a stop at the Mine Action Center in Dong Ha, reminding us that the scars of the war are still present.
Then I went to Hue, where I visited the peaceful Thien Mu Pagoda, on the banks of the Perfume River. The serenity of this place contrasted with the historical heaviness of the morning and offered a welcome moment of reflection.
The DMZ tour cost €90, and I stayed overnight at Hue Serene Palace Hotel, with a room costing around €35. These tours show that it is possible to plan a Vietnam 15 days budget while enjoying significant cultural and historical experiences.
After breakfast, I headed to the Hue Imperial City with a local guide. Walking among these majestic walls, built by Emperor Gia Long but scarred by the ravages of past wars, gave me a sense of grandeur mixed with nostalgia.
In the afternoon, I took the bus back to a local beach, where I enjoyed a simple lunch with cocktails, swimming and watching the sunset. These moments of relaxation created a perfect contrast to the historical intensity of the morning.
The price of visits to the various tombs was around €100, and I spent the night at the Hue Serene Palace Hotel for €31. This day allowed me to fully enjoy the cultural and natural richness of Hue while controlling my Vietnam 15-day travel cost.
In the morning, I left Hue to reach Hoi An by motorbike. The road is amazing, offering two options: crossing the famous Hai Van Pass or going through the tunnels. I chose the pass to take full advantage of the spectacular views of the East Sea and the mountains of the Trường Sơn range. The winding road offered me breathtaking panoramas and some must-see stops, such as the French and American bunkers that bear witness to past history.
On the way, I stopped at the Elephant Springs, an ideal place to swim and have lunch in the middle of nature. The day's meals cost around €8. The Hue–Hoi An motorcycle transport cost around €6.
Once I arrived in Hoi An, I settled in for the night at the Ancient Haven Hotel, with a room costing about €27. This motorcycle ride and immersion in the landscapes of central Vietnam remains a highlight of the Vietnam 15 days budget, mixing adventure, nature and cultural heritage.
In Hoi An, I rode a bike to the central market, where I chose my ingredients by chatting with the local traders. Then, head to the village of Tra Que, famous for its organic gardens. The warm welcome and herbal foot massage was a real moment of relaxation before the cooking class.
I participated in a cooking class (€46), where I prepared emblematic Vietnamese dishes such as spring rolls and cao lau. Tasting them afterwards was a real pleasure, and this convivial experience brought me closer to the local culture in a simple but valuable way.
In the evening, I took a night bus to Buon Ma Thuot (€31) to start a new adventure in central Vietnam. This day shows that it is possible to fully enjoy Hoi An while respecting your Vietnam 15 days budget.
After a local Vietnamese breakfast, I headed to the Trung Nguyen Coffee Village, famous for being the heart of coffee culture in Vietnam. I learned about the fascinating history of Vietnamese coffee and tasted several varieties, including the famous weasel coffee. Entrance and lunch on site cost around €8.
In the afternoon, I went to the majestic D'ray Nur Waterfalls in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, and then visited an Ede ethnic village to learn about their matriarchal society and traditional way of life. The entrance fee to the waterfall was €2, while access to the village was often included in the 15-day Vietnam tour.
For the night, I stayed at The 47 House Homestay, with a rate of around €19.
We woke up very early to reach the Yok Don National Park, a preserved site where elephants live in semi-freedom. I participated in an ethical conservation program (€≈33, including transport and lunch), feeding and bathing the elephants without any tourist exploitation. Watching them move peacefully reminded me how important it is to protect these gentle giants.
After this unique experience, I took a minibus from Buôn Ma Thuột to Dalat (€≈12), city of flowers and lakes. In the evening, I enjoyed a local dinner at the Moto Laurie Café (€≈15), before heading to my Happy Home Da Lat hotel for the night (€16).
Wake up in Da Lat for a day full of adrenaline and nature. I chose to go canyoning, one of the best ways to discover the surrounding waterfalls, pine forests and hills while testing courage and balance. The tour, including transfer, lunch and full equipment, cost me about €70. Abseiling, zip lines, jumps in natural pools and water slides turned this day into an unforgettable adventure, while staying within a reasonable Vietnam travel budget.
After this experience, I went back to Happy Home Da Lat to rest and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the city (€16 for the night). In the evening, a convivial dinner at Tiệm Ăn Đà Lạt Phố (€7) concluded this day perfectly balanced between adrenaline and relaxation.
I started the day with a local breakfast before enjoying a choice of activities: I went for a bike ride, a free hike in the city or a guided excursion to discover the surroundings. After lunch in town (€8), I took the road to Mui Ne. The minibus ride from Da Lat cost me about €10 and took about 4 hours, punctuated by beautiful coastal scenery.
Upon arrival, I explored the white sand dunes, where I walked and chose an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) ride for more adventure. I then visited the old iron mine, which gives the ground its red color, and I finished with the fishing village, perfect for taking memorable photos.
I spent the night at Gem's House (€16), a comfortable and peaceful place to rest after this day full of discoveries. This part of the trip showed how to fully enjoy a day in Mui Ne while staying within a Vietnam 15 days budget.
I spent the morning relaxing on the beach before being picked up to reach Ho Chi Minh City. The journey took about 3h30 and cost around €14.
In the afternoon, I went on a 3h30 tour to the Cho Lon (Big Market) area and Thien Hau Pagoda, located in Chinatown. Then, we headed to Bach Dang Port to board a waterbus, offering a unique view of the city's iconic buildings: VinHomes Central Park, Landmark 81, Bitexco Financial Tower and the tranquil District 2. Sailing on the Saigon River allowed me to feel the soul of the city, once nicknamed the "Paris of Indochina".
For meals, I had lunch at Bếp Mẹ Ỉn restaurant (€12) and dinner at Vietnam House Restaurant (€64), taking full advantage of the local flavors.
I spent the night at Oasis Central Residence & Hotel (€48), perfect for resting after this day full of discoveries. This stop proved that you can combine cultural visits, gastronomy and relaxation while respecting Vietnam 15 days budget.
I left Ho Chi Minh City early in the morning for My Tho (transfer ≈10 €). I visited the Vinh Trang pagoda, then boarded a sampan to explore the Mekong Islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Turtle. At Unicorn Island, I hiked the country lanes, tasted tropical fruits, and listened to folk music.
Then I sailed down the Thoi Son Islet, discovered the bee farm, tasted the honey tea, and watched the making of coconut sweets. After the local lunch, included in the tour (€42), I cycled to Tan Thach Village and met some locals to experience daily life. Those who did not ride a bike enjoyed a relaxing moment in a hammock.
In the evening, I had dinner at Vị Quê Kitchen, a vegetarian meal for €12. I spent the night at the Oasis Central Residence & Hotel (€48).
On my last day, I had some free time in Ho Chi Minh City. I strolled through the markets, bought some souvenirs and enjoyed a last Vietnamese iced coffee. The moment to say goodbye is always difficult, but I leave with lasting memories and the desire to come back. This 15-day Vietnam trip was a complete experience: between nature, culture, history and human encounters, I feel enriched and transformed.
The approximate total cost for these 15 days, including accommodation, meals, transport, visits and activities, amounts to approximately 1700€, excluding international plane tickets. These 15 days in Vietnam were a true immersion in nature, culture, and history. Thanks to Autour Asia, a local travel agency in Vietnam, I could follow a seamless, experience-packed itinerary from north to south—Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha Caves, Hue Citadel, Hoi An, coffee plantations, and the Mekong Delta. Each day was carefully planned, with comfortable accommodations, local meals, and authentic activities, all while staying within my Vietnam 15 days budget. This tour allowed me to live unique moments and to discover Vietnam in depth. With such accompaniment, exploring the country becomes simple, safe and inspiring, ideal for all travelers eager to discover.
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