Vietnam is known to be one of the most budget-friendly countries in the world. But with so many things to do and see, it’s easy to splurge. Vietnam might be cheap, but it’s also a country where you could easily spend way more than you thought. For example, more international restaurants are popping up everywhere, and the prices are higher than if you eat in local restaurants. But if you come from a western country, it might not sound like a lot initially. But it does add up in the end, especially if you eat there daily. When we think that something is cheap, we tend to buy a lot of it. How many times have you accidentally bought more cocktails and beers, for example, because it’s cheap? Then you look at your bill at the end of the night, and you realize that you splurged. That’s totally fine, though you are on vacation after all. But if you’re a budget traveler who wants to spend as much time on the road as possible, there are a few travel hacks for budget travelers in Vietnam that will ensure that your money won’t be spent too fast.
Make a budget plan
The first thing you should do is make a budget plan. Set a limit to how much you can and should spend per month, and make sure that you follow through. Otherwise, it can be easy to spend your money quicker. You can open up a savings account and transfer most of your money there. Each month, you put the exact amount of money you can spend for that month in your regular bank account. This way, you can track how much you’re spending easier too.
Travel off-season
Flights tend to be way cheaper if you go off-season and accommodation prices can go down as well, so if you really need to save money before you even go on your trip, traveling off-season can save you a lot of money before you even arrive in Vietnam.
Stay in hostels or couchsurf
Hostels tend to be very affordable in Vietnam and you can even get a really nice dorm room for around 5 USD in Vietnam. But if you really can’t spend a lot of money, couchsurfing is an excellent way to both save money and meet locals. Couchsurfing is this amazing platform where you can offer to host people in your home or be hosted. A lot of locals use it to meet other travelers and vice versa. Couchsurfing is always for free, but if you want to show your host that you appreciate them hosting you, you can always offer to cook dinner or so for example. Just a small thing goes a long way!
Treasure experiences over material things
Vietnam has a ton of beautiful souvenirs so it can be really difficult to keep your hands off of them. It’s normal wanting to buy a few things to bring home, but if you’re going to be on a shopping spree, your money will definitely run out quickly.
Volunteer in a hostel
If you’ve found a place that you grew really fond of, why not try to volunteer there. Most hostels have volunteers who help them out at the hostel. In return, they get free accommodation and often food as well. You don’t have to spend a penny if you don’t want to! Besides, it’s a fantastic opportunity for you to really immerse yourself in a place, take a break from hopping from place to place and meet new friends. Volunteering is so much fun so don’t miss out on this opportunity if you can.
Use a VPN to find the cheapest deals
Did you know that prices can vary depending on where you are booking from? Prices can get much higher if you’re in one country and then prices can sink the next day if you’re in another. One thing you can do to find cheaper deals is to use a simple VPN which will make it look like you’re booking from another place. It might not always work, but it’s definitely worth trying.
Walk, walk and walk
Try to not always rely on public transportation. Walk instead as much as you can and save those extra money on lunch or something else. Taxis are cheap in Vietnam. Dirt cheap even. But if you take a taxi everywhere you go, it will eventually add up.
Talk with other travelers you meet
Travelers who’s been to the place you’re going to has experience and knowledge about prices. Ask them about how much they paid, the best way to go, where to stay, etc. Read forums as well and articles if you have time. Do your research before you go somewhere! This can save you a lot of money and time on haggling.
Vietnam is one of the world’s most fascinating countries which offers stunning landscapes, beautiful cities and a lively atmosphere. If you’re planning on traveling here sometime soon, do note that most travelers need a visa in order to enter the country. There are three types of visas you can apply to. However, the electronic visa is only available for 80 countries. It’s highly recommended to apply for the Vietnam Visa on Arrival, an online visa that you can apply to from wherever you are in the world. You can also go to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate and apply for a visa with them.
