How much does it cost to travel to Vietnam with private tour (with cost breakdown)

There is no single answer — it depends on how long you stay, where you travel, the type of accommodation you choose and how you get around.

Vietnam can be very affordable, but a comfortable private trip with good hotels, private transportation and local guides will naturally cost more than travelling independently on a budget.

In this guide, we break down the typical costs of travelling to Vietnam, including flights, accommodation, transportation, food, activities and other travel expenses. We also include real examples of private tour prices to help you plan your budget.

If you already know roughly when you want to travel and what kind of trip you are looking for, you can also use our Trip Calculator to get an indicative price for a tailor-made trip.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS GUIDE

• How much does a private trip to Vietnam cost?
• International flight costs
• Accommodation costs in Vietnam
• Transportation costs in Vietnam
• Attraction and activity prices
• Food and dining costs
• Tips for planning your Vietnam travel budget

Based on our 2025 booking data, around 31% of our travellers chose trips of 6–8 days. These shorter trips usually focus on one region of Vietnam — north, central or south — rather than trying to cover the entire country. Some travellers also combine Vietnam with a neighbouring destination such as Cambodia or Thailand.

Around 21% of our travellers opted for an 11–12 day trip, which allows more time to experience several parts of Vietnam. A typical itinerary might combine Hanoi and Ha Long Bay in the north, Hoi An or Da Nang in central Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the south.

For a private tour in Vietnam, the price depends mainly on the hotel category, length of the trip, number of travellers and how much private transportation and guiding you include.

As a general guide, our private tours typically range around USD 150–180 per person per day in 3-star hotels, USD 180–200 in 4-star hotels, and USD 200–250 in 5-star hotels, based on two people sharing a room. These prices generally include accommodation, private transportation, guides and planned sightseeing and activities.

For a typical 11-day / 10-night private tour, you can therefore expect to spend roughly USD 1,500–3,000 per person, depending on the level of accommodation and the itinerary. International flights to and from Vietnam are not included.

Travelling as a family or larger private group can also bring the per-person price down. With 4–6 travellers, for example, the cost of the vehicle and guides is shared between more people, which can reduce the price per person by around 10% compared with a couple travelling privately.

What does a private tour budget usually include?

As a rough indication, your Vietnam tour budget is typically divided between:

• Accommodation: one of the main costs, depending on hotel category and location.
• Transportation: around 15–25%, depending on domestic flights, distances and the type of private vehicle required.
• Meals: approximately 10–15%, depending on what is included in the tour.
• Attractions and activities: around 10%, although this can be higher for trips with more unique or experiential activities.
• Guides and other services: approximately 10–15%, depending on the itinerary and how much private guiding is included.

These percentages are only a guide. Every itinerary is different, and a trip with several domestic flights or more exclusive experiences can have a very different cost structure.

Real examples from Vietnam CK

To give you a better idea of what these numbers mean in practice, here are two examples of private tours we offer:

• 16-day Vietnam North to South Tour: from USD 1,855 per person, based on two travellers sharing rooms in 4-star hotels.
• 8-day North Vietnam sightseeing tour: USD 1,555 per person, based on two travellers and 4-star hotels.

The final price can be higher or lower depending on your travel dates, hotel preferences, group size and the itinerary you choose. There is no single price for a private Vietnam tour — the itinerary is built around what you actually want to see and how you want to travel.

To get a more realistic idea of what your own trip might cost, you can also use our Trip Calculator or send us your requirements for a tailor-made itinerary.

The cost of a return flight from Europe to Vietnam can vary considerably depending on your departure city, travel dates, airline and how far in advance you book. As a general guide, a return ticket will often cost around US$600–1,500, although good deals can sometimes be found outside the peak travel periods.

Flight prices are usually higher during the busiest travel periods and around Christmas, New Year and major holidays. If your dates are flexible, travelling during less busy periods can make a noticeable difference to the overall cost of your trip.

We generally recommend checking flight prices several months before your trip rather than waiting until the last minute. However, there is no guaranteed rule that booking exactly 3, 6 or 9 months in advance will always produce the cheapest fare.

When comparing flights, don't look only at the ticket price. Check the total journey time, number of connections, baggage allowance and airport of arrival as well.

Most travellers from Europe arrive in Vietnam through one of the country's two main international gateways: Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) in the south or Hanoi (HAN) in the north. Which airport makes more sense depends largely on your itinerary. If you are travelling from north to south, for example, it can make sense to arrive in Hanoi and leave from Ho Chi Minh City — or the other way around — instead of returning to your starting point.

For a better idea of flight prices and when it may make sense to book, see our guide on when to buy flights to Vietnam.

Accommodation is one of the main parts of your travel budget in Vietnam, but the price can vary significantly depending on the destination, hotel category, travel dates and level of comfort you are looking for.

In general, 3-star hotels can offer very good value, while 4-star and 5-star hotels give you more comfort, facilities and often better locations or views. Prices also tend to increase during busy travel periods, so your dates can make a noticeable difference.

In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, a good-quality hotel in a central location will usually cost more than accommodation in smaller towns and rural areas. In places such as Hoi An, Sapa, Ha Long Bay or the Mekong Delta, you can also find some excellent resorts and boutique hotels where the accommodation itself becomes part of the experience.

As a rough guide, you can expect hotel prices in the main cities to be around:

• 3-star: US$60–100 per room/night
• 4-star: US$80–150 per room/night
• 5-star: US$120–220+ per room/night

These are only indicative prices. Rates can change significantly depending on the season, location and hotel.

Where should you stay?

In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, staying in or close to the city centre usually makes sense if you want restaurants, markets, sights and evening activities within easy reach.

In Hoi An, boutique hotels and resorts can offer a very different experience from a standard city hotel. You can stay close to the Ancient Town or choose a quieter property outside the centre, depending on whether you prefer atmosphere or more space and relaxation.

In Sapa, we would consider the location carefully rather than simply choosing a hotel in the town centre. Some of the most memorable accommodation is in the surrounding mountains and valleys, where the views are part of the experience.

One example is Topas Ecolodge, which offers spectacular mountain views and a completely different atmosphere from staying in central Sapa. I have stayed there myself, and it remains one of the hotels that made the strongest impression on me in Vietnam.

Cruises and accommodation on the water

Another way to make your accommodation part of the experience is an overnight cruise.

In Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, there are several levels of cruise accommodation, from comfortable mid-range boats to more luxurious options. Prices vary considerably depending on the boat, cabin category and length of the cruise.

The same applies to the Mekong Delta, where an overnight river cruise can be a very different experience from simply staying in a hotel.

If you are considering a cruise as part of a private Vietnam itinerary, it is worth choosing the boat based on the overall experience rather than simply looking for the cheapest cabin. The quality of the cruise can make a surprisingly big difference to how you remember that part of your trip.

Getting around Vietnam is generally easy and affordable, but the best option depends on the distance and the type of trip you are planning.

For longer distances, domestic flights are often the most practical choice, especially if you want to see both the north and south of Vietnam without spending entire days travelling between destinations.

For shorter distances, the choice is wider. You can use taxis, Grab, trains, buses or a private car with a driver, depending on where you are and how much comfort and flexibility you want.

Transport between cities

Domestic flights are often the fastest way to travel between major destinations. As a general guide, one-way domestic flights can often cost around US$50–150, although prices vary according to the route, airline and travel date.

Vietnam has several domestic airlines, including Vietjet Air, Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways. When comparing fares, remember to check baggage allowances and other additional charges rather than looking only at the headline ticket price.

Trains are another good option, particularly when the journey itself is part of the experience. An overnight sleeper train can make sense on some routes, although it is usually slower than flying.

One route where the train is particularly interesting is the journey between Hanoi and Lao Cai, the gateway to Sapa. Several operators offer more comfortable sleeper cabins, turning the journey into an experience rather than simply a way of getting from A to B.

I have travelled on the Chapa Express train myself. The cabin was clean and the bed was comfortable, with some small extras provided for the journey. The main downside was the noise, which made getting a good night's sleep more difficult. Still, if you enjoy travelling by train, it is an experience worth considering.

Long-distance buses are generally the cheapest option, but for a private trip we would usually choose a flight, train or private car depending on the route and itinerary. Saving a little money is not always worth spending many additional hours on the road.

Getting around cities

In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Grab and taxis are usually the easiest options for short journeys. Prices are generally affordable, although they depend on distance, traffic and time of day.

For sightseeing outside the city centre or for a full day of exploring, a private car with a driver can be much more convenient. You do not have to worry about finding another taxi after every stop, and the driver can wait while you visit sights or restaurants.

A full day with a private car and driver can typically cost around US$50–100, depending on the vehicle, itinerary and duration.

Motorbikes are another very common way of getting around Vietnam. However, renting a motorbike is not something we would recommend simply to save money. Traffic can be challenging, and you should also make sure that you have the appropriate licence and insurance before riding.

For a private Vietnam itinerary, we normally choose the transport according to the route rather than using one solution everywhere. A flight might make sense for a long-distance journey, Grab for an evening in the city, and a private car for a full day outside the city. That combination is often much more comfortable than trying to use the cheapest possible option at every stage.

Vietnam has a huge range of attractions and experiences, and fortunately, sightseeing does not usually have to be a major part of your travel budget.

Entrance fees to museums, temples and historical sites are often relatively low, with many places costing around US$2–5 per person. Larger attractions, national parks and organised activities can cost more, often around US$10–20 or more, depending on what is included.

Some experiences are more expensive but can be well worth including in your itinerary. For example, a water puppet show in Hanoi can cost roughly US$4–15 per person, depending on the theatre and seating.

In Ho Chi Minh City, an À Ố Show is a very different type of experience, combining contemporary performance with elements of Vietnamese culture. Tickets are typically considerably more expensive than a standard sightseeing attraction.

If you want to experience Vietnam beyond the usual tourist sights, you can also include activities such as cooking classes, food tours, craft workshops or other local experiences. Prices commonly start around US$30–50 per person, although premium or private experiences can cost more.

The good thing about Vietnam is that you don't need an expensive activity every day. A morning at a local market, walking through an old town, exploring a neighbourhood or simply sitting down for Vietnamese coffee can cost very little — and can sometimes be just as memorable as a paid attraction.

Food is one of the areas where Vietnam can offer excellent value. You can eat very well for relatively little money, but there is also a huge difference between a local street-food stall and a high-end restaurant.

As a rough guide:

• Street food: around US$1–3 per dish
• Local restaurants: around US$2–6 per meal
• Mid-range restaurants: around US$8–20 per meal
• High-end restaurants: US$40+ per person, depending on the restaurant and menu

Local Vietnamese coffee is also inexpensive, especially at small cafés and street stalls. A cà phê sữa đá, the classic Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, is often just a few dollars at most — and usually considerably less at a local café.

The same applies to phở. A bowl at a local restaurant or street-food spot is generally inexpensive, while prices at more tourist-oriented or upscale restaurants can be considerably higher.

For a typical trip, a reasonable food budget is around US$20–50 per person per day if you eat a combination of local food, cafés and restaurants. Of course, you can spend less if you mainly eat locally, or considerably more if you choose premium restaurants and hotels.

One useful thing to know before travelling to Vietnam: tipping is not generally expected in the same way as it is in some Western countries. In restaurants, the price shown on the menu is normally what you pay, although service charges may be added at some higher-end establishments. You can read more about this in our guide to tipping customs in Vietnam.

If you need a visa for Vietnam, make sure you include the visa fee in your overall travel budget.

Vietnam e-visas are available for stays of up to 90 days, with both single-entry and multiple-entry options. The official government fee is currently US$25 for a single-entry e-visa and US$50 for a multiple-entry e-visa.

You can apply for a Vietnam e-visa online through the official Vietnamese immigration system. If you need your visa urgently or prefer assistance with the application, you can also use our Vietnam urgent eVisa service.

Once you have your visa sorted, you may also want to consider an airport Fast Track service. This can be particularly useful if you arrive during a busy period or simply want to spend less time waiting at immigration at airports such as Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.

Travel insurance is another relatively small cost compared with the overall price of a Vietnam trip. Depending on the length of your stay and the level of coverage, you can expect to pay roughly US$30–200. The important thing is to check what the policy actually covers, particularly medical expenses, emergency evacuation and activities such as motorbiking.

Tips for getting the most from your Vietnam travel budget

You don't necessarily need to travel on a tight budget to get good value from Vietnam. A few practical decisions can make a significant difference to the overall cost of your trip.

• Plan your itinerary before booking: Decide which parts of Vietnam you actually want to visit. Trying to cover too much ground can mean spending more money on domestic flights and transfers while spending less time actually enjoying each destination.
• Be flexible with your dates: Flight and hotel prices can vary considerably depending on the season, holidays and local demand. If your dates are flexible, compare several options before booking.
• Eat locally: Vietnam has excellent food at almost every price level. Local restaurants and street food can be inexpensive, while you can save your larger restaurant budget for a few special meals.
• Choose the right level of comfort: A 5-star hotel is not necessary everywhere. You might prefer a comfortable 4-star hotel in a city and spend more on a beautiful resort or unique experience in another part of the country.
• Consider a private itinerary when it makes sense: Travelling privately does not necessarily mean choosing the most expensive option. A well-planned itinerary can save time, avoid unnecessary transfers and allow you to spend your budget on the places and experiences that matter most to you.

If you already know your travel dates, approximate budget and the places you would like to see, you can use our Trip Calculator to get an initial estimate, or contact Vietnam CK about a tailor-made itinerary.