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Key Takeaways:
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Most Indians plan a trip to Goa, Kochi, Mangalore, Rajasthan, Coorg, and Kodaikanal. These places share a familiar culture, and there are fewer language barriers, as most places have English-speaking locals.
However, in this decade, everyone wants to travel abroad. People know there are many cheap international destinations to travel to from India, and that they can cost as much as most Indian vacations.
So, this blog gives you complete information on your question: Is Vietnam cheaper than India?
Is Vietnam Cheaper Than India?
Vietnam is cheaper than India for most daily expenses, such as hotels, activities, alcohol, and shopping. India is cheaper for flights, domestic transport, and vegetarian food. Overall, Vietnam costs more than India for a vacation, but for an international trip, it is one of the most affordable places.
Vietnam vs India Currency
When Indians plan a trip to an international destination, currency conversion will be the most-searched thing on Google.
Here, get an idea of what the difference is between the Vietnam vs India currency.
The exchange rate:
As of April 2026, 1 Indian Rupee equals approximately 283 Vietnamese Dong (VND), and this amount fluctuates.
- 100 INR = Approx. 28,206 VND
- 1,000 INR = Approx. 2,82,000 VND
- 10,000 INR = Approx. 28.3 lakh VND
The Indian Rupee is stronger than the Vietnamese Dong. That doesn’t always mean you get everything for a fraction of the cost in Vietnam.
Is Vietnam Cheaper Than India? – Category Wise Comparison
From food, stay, flights, and activities, get an idea of how much to budget for your Vietnam and India vacation.
1. Food Cost: Vietnam vs India
| Meal Type | Vietnam (Approx. cost in INR) | India (Approx. cost in INR) |
| Street food snack | 80 – 130 | 30 – 100 |
| Street food meal | 120 – 250 | 80 – 200 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | 400 – 700 | 350 – 600 |
| Street Coffee | 60 – 100 | 20 – 60 |
| Beer | 60 – 150 | 180 – 250 |
Insights: Vietnam’s food is mostly made of seafood, fish sauce, chicken, beef, and pork. There are vegetarian options available at “chay” restaurants, but they are slightly more expensive.
You also have an Indian restaurant in Vietnamese cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Also, the price increases by 150 or 250 INR when you dine at these restaurants.
2. Hotels Cost: Vietnam vs India
| Stay Type | Vietnam (Approx. cost in INR per night) | India (Approx. cost in INR per night) |
| Hostel dorm | 500 – 1,200 | 400 – 800 |
| Budget private room | 1,200 – 2,500 | 800 – 1,800 |
| 3-star hotel | 3,500 – 4,000 | 5,500 – 7,000 |
| 4-star hotel | 5,000 – 8,000 | 7,000 – 13,000 |
| 5-star hotel | 8,000 – 25,000+ | 9,000 – 40,000+ |
3. Flight Cost: India to Vietnam vs Domestic Flights
| Type | Round-trip Flight(Approx. cost in INR) |
| India to Vietnam | 28,000 – 40,000 |
| Within India | 7000 – 20,000 (Cost varies depending on which city you board and the distance) |
4. Activities and Attractions
| Famous Activity in Vietnam | Approx. cost in INR | Famous Activity in India | Approx. cost in INR |
| Ha Long Bay 3-star cruise | 10,000 – 17,000 | Kerala Backwaters houseboat | 3,500 – 8,000 |
| Cooking class | 1,500 – 3,000 | Taj Mahal entrance | 200 – 250 |
| Cu Chi Tunnels tour | 1,900 – 2,500 | Himalayan guided trek | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Scuba diving | 4,500 – 8,000 | Scuba diving | 3,500 – 6,500 |
| Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge with cable car ride | 6,000 – 8,000 | Varanasi boat ride | 150 (Shared boat)1,800 (Private boat) |
| Mekong Delta Tour | 2,400 – 3,000 | Meghalaya cave tour | 3,000 – 4,000 |
| Sapa Valley guided trek | 2,900 – 5,000 | Munnar Tea Estate | 400 – 600 |
| Thang Long Water Puppet Show | 400 – 700 | Kathakali show in Kerala | 500 – 700 |
| Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride | 500 – 700 | Hampi tour | 3,000 – 4,500 |
| Phong Nha Cave(with lunch) | 4,900 – 5,500 | Shikara ride in Kashmir | 700 – 1,000 |
| My Son Sanctuary guided tour | 1,000 – 1,500 | Mumbai city tour | 1,500 – 2,000 |
| Scooter rental | 500 – 800 | Scooter rental | 400 – 800 |
Is Shopping Cheaper in Vietnam than in India?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Vietnam is cheaper, mainly for locally made products. India is cheaper for local clothing basics, medicines, daily-use items, and many domestic brands.
Things that are cheaper in Vietnam than in India
- Vietnamese coffee
- Korean and Japanese skincare
- Custom-tailored clothing in Hoi An
- Silk scarves and lacquerware
- Handmade lanterns
- Dried fruits and local snacks like Mango, jackfruit, cashew and lotus seeds.
- Pearl jewellery
- Apple products like iPhones and MacBooks are much cheaper in Vietnam. You can save approximately 20,000 – 30,000 INR by buying it in Vietnam.
Vietnam Trip Cost in Indian Rupees
This section provides a clear budget breakdown of all major expenses. If you are planning a 7-day Vietnam trip, you can refer to this table.
| Expense | Budget (Approx. INR cost) |
| Flights round-trip | 28,000 – 40,000 |
| Visa | 2,100 |
| Mid-range Accommodation | 22,000 |
| Street food and mid-range restaurant | 11,000 |
| Activities | 15,000 |
| SIM card | 700 |
| Shopping | 5,000 |
| Transport(domestic flights and land transport ) | 10,000 |
| Total | 95,800 |
So, for a 7-day trip in Vietnam, you can easily budget it under one lakh INR. Read below to get tips on how to save money and plan a budget trip.
How to Save Money on a Vietnam Trip
- Book flights 2 months early.
- Travel to Vietnam during the shoulder or wet season to get hotel discounts.
- Stay in local 3-star or 2-star hotels.
- Use Grab instead of private taxis.
- Choose street food over fancy restaurants.
- Bargain in the markets, as vendors overcharge tourists.
- Buy souvenirs in local markets, not in airport stores.
- Use sleeper buses or trains for overnight city-to-city travel. This eliminates hotel and domestic flight costs.
Conclusion
Vietnam is cheaper than India on most daily expenses. Hotels, street food, local transport, activities, and alcohol all cost less in Vietnam than in Indian tourist destinations. With flight costs and an e-visa, Vietnam is more expensive.
However, for an international destination, Vietnam can be your first choice for its affordability. You can reach out to Dimaak Tours for any international trips. We help you with the itinerary and booking, and will guide you throughout the trip.
FAQs on Is Vietnam cheaper than India?
1. When is the cheapest time to visit Vietnam from India?
May to October are the shoulder seasons in Vietnam. So, you get discounts on hotels and activities.
2. What is cheaper in Vietnam than in India for shopping?
Coffee products, cashews, skincare, tailored clothes in Hoi An, handicrafts like bamboo and ceramics are much cheaper than in other cities and have a Vietnamese touch.
3. Can you travel to Vietnam under 1 lakh from India?
Yes, a seven-day trip to Vietnam for a budget traveller costs less than 1 lakh. With approximately 95,000 INR, you can cover flights, stay, food, activities, and shopping.
