It was two weeks before the flight departure. A KakaoTalk message arrived. “Teacher, I’m going to Hanoi for 3 nights and 4 days; how much should I prepare?” It was a question asking about the cost of a trip to Vietnam. I have received this question countless times over the past 10 years. Every time, I pause for a moment. If I answer this with just a single number, I am bound to be wrong.
There is a reason for this. For the same 3-night, 4-day trip to Hanoi, some people went for 900,000 won, while others spent 2.8 million won. Just three factors—how long ago you bought your flight tickets, whether you stayed at a guesthouse in the Old Quarter or a boutique hotel in West Lake, and whether you went to Ha Long Bay for a day trip or took an overnight cruise—can make a difference that can triple the cost. The saying that "Vietnam is cheap" is not always true.
In this article, I do not hide anything. I break down Vietnam travel expenses by category and disclose the actual figures. Instead of the "roughly 1 million won" figures commonly seen in community reviews, I explain why those numbers are reached and how the results change depending on your choices. These are figures I have personally verified while guiding countless travelers over the past 10 years.
Flights — From Incheon to Hanoi
The flight time from Incheon to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport on a direct flight is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours. Airfare is the biggest variable in a trip to Northern Vietnam, accounting for 30 to 501 TP3T of the total cost.
The approximate price range for airfares as of 2026 is as follows. If booked 2 to 3 months in advance during the off-peak season (February–April, September–November), round-trip tickets on low-cost carriers (VietJet, Jeju Air, Air Busan, etc.) can be purchased for around 360,000 to 700,000 won. For major airlines (Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, Asiana), round-trip tickets under the same conditions range from 600,000 to 1,200,000 won.
Peak season is different. During the summer vacation in July and August, the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, and the Golden Week in May, even low-cost airlines easily exceed 800,000 won for a round trip. If you search a month in advance during peak season, round-trip fares can sometimes range from 1.2 million to 1.6 million won. It is advantageous to book your flight tickets in advance.
While connecting flights can be 50,000 to 200,000 won cheaper than direct flights, the total travel time increases to 8 to 14 hours. Losing more than a day of round-trip travel time on a 3-night, 4-day itinerary is tantamount to shrinking the trip itself. Unless there is a specific reason, I recommend taking a direct flight.
In terms of booking timing, the optimal time is 2 to 3 months in advance for off-peak season departures and 4 to 6 months in advance for peak season departures. Since prices vary significantly depending on when you search, checking in real-time is the most accurate method.
Accommodation — Realistic Options by Price Range
Accommodation price ranges vary by region. I will organize them in the order of Hanoi, Sapa, and Ha Long Bay cruises.
HanoiThe most affordable options are mini-hotels and guesthouses within the Old Quarter. As of 2026, the price is approximately 20,000 to 40,000 won per night (about 400,000 to 800,000 VND). These often include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and breakfast, but they have the disadvantage of small rooms and significant noise. Mid-range hotels (equivalent to 3-star establishments) are in the 50,000 to 100,000 won range per night. Since location and service vary significantly within this price range, it is essential to check reviews carefully. 4-star hotels and above range from 100,000 to 250,000 won, while 5-star hotels are over 250,000 won.
SapaIt is generally more expensive than Hanoi. This is because it is a popular mountainous region and movement itself is restricted. Budget guesthouses cost 30,000 to 60,000 won per night, mid-range hotels 70,000 to 150,000 won, and resorts with mountain views go up to 200,000 to 500,000 won. Rooms where you can see foggy mountains from the window cost that much more.
Halong Bay CruiseAccommodation is not considered separately, as the ship itself serves as the accommodation. Based on a 2-day, 1-night cruise in 2026, the cost is approximately 100,000 to 250,000 won per person (including meals), depending on the ship class. This will be covered in detail in the tour cost section.
There is a reason why you shouldn't look at price alone when choosing accommodation. If you stay in Hanoi's Old Quarter, restaurants, attractions, and night markets are all within walking distance. If you stay in a cheaper place slightly outside, you will have to pay extra for Grab rides for every meal. In reality, there are many cases where people end up spending an extra 30,000 won on Grab fares while trying to save 20,000 won on accommodation. It is right to consider value for money relative to location.
Food and local transportation — cost much less than expected
The reaction of travelers sitting for the first time in front of a Bun Cha restaurant in a Hanoi alley is mostly similar. They look at the receipt and ask, "Is this correct?" The bill for two people eating two bowls of Bun Cha and two drinks is 15,000 to 20,000 won. It is cheaper than a bento box at a Korean convenience store.
Food costs in Vietnam vary significantly depending on what you eat and where you eat. Based on prices at local restaurants, a bowl of Pho costs 40,000–70,000 VND (approx. 2,000–3,500 KRW), a Banh Mi costs 25,000–40,000 VND (approx. 1,250–2,000 KRW), and a bowl of Bun Cha costs 50,000–80,000 VND (approx. 2,500–4,000 KRW). (Exchange rate: 1 VND ≈ 0.05 KRW; prices may change based on market rates in 2026.)
Restaurants in tourist areas are different. Restaurants on the main streets of the Old Quarter, right in front of Hoan Kiem Lake, charge more than double the price for the same dishes. A bowl of pho can cost between 100,000 and 150,000 VND (approximately 5,000 to 7,500 KRW). Even an iced Americano at a café costs between 50,000 and 80,000 VND. The saying that "everything is cheap in Vietnam" is only half true. Local restaurants are certainly affordable, but restaurants in tourist areas can be similar in price to or even more expensive than in Korea.
If you set a realistic standard for daily food expenses, it is possible to spend 10,000 to 20,000 won if you eat three meals mainly at local restaurants. If you mix in restaurants and cafes in tourist areas, it is 30,000 to 50,000 won, and if you enjoy restaurants with a nice atmosphere and rooftop cafes, it goes up to 70,000 to 100,000 won or more.
Local transportation costs are lower than expected. Grab is the most reasonable mode of transportation in Hanoi. The fare from the airport to the city center is approximately 200,000–250,000 VND (about 10,000–12,500 KRW) for a distance of about 30km. For short distances within the city, it is 30,000–60,000 VND (about 1,500–3,000 KRW). Even if you take Grab 10 times during a 3-night, 4-day trip, the total transportation cost is unlikely to exceed 30,000 to 50,000 KRW. There is no haggling, and since the price is displayed on the app before departure, there is no need to worry about being overcharged.
Vietnam Tour Costs — Package vs. Individual
Ha Long Bay, Sapa, and Ninh Binh. If you plan to visit these three places using Hanoi as a base, tour costs will account for 300,000 to 401 TpH3 of your total budget. This is where the choice diverges: should you use a large package tour or go on a private tour?.
Halong Bay Cruise Based on these figures, the approximate price ranges for 2026 are as follows: a day trip (9–10 hour boat tour) costs approximately 40,000–80,000 won per person, a 1-night, 2-day cruise costs approximately 100,000–250,000 won per person, and a luxury cruise of 2 nights or longer costs over 250,000 won per person. Prices vary significantly depending on the ship class and included services. While package group tours are sometimes slightly cheaper than these rates, they involve boarding with large groups of 60 to 70 people. This significantly alters the quality of time spent on board.
Sapa TrekkingThe price ranges from approximately 25,000 to 60,000 won per person for a one-day tour, and 75,000 to 200,000 won for 2- to 3-day packages. Prices vary depending on which village route is chosen and whether ethnic minority homestays are included.
Ninh Binh Day TripThe price is approximately 30,000 to 75,000 won per person based on departure from Hanoi. If the Trang An boat tour and Mua Cave viewpoint are included, the price is closer to the top.
Package tours versus private tours. Looking solely at price, packages seem more advantageous. However, a comparison reveals that the actual difference is often only around 50,000 to 100,000 won. Package tours have a fixed itinerary and involve traveling with as many as 30 to 50 people. Private tours, on the other hand, allow for flexible scheduling, and the smaller group size offers a more intense and immersive experience. Speaking from the perspective of having guided both types of tours for 10 years, if the cost difference is 100,000 won or less, private tours are a much better choice.
If you are curious about the cost and schedule of a private tour, please check through a direct consultation.
Vietnam Travel Cost Simulation — Based on 3 Nights/4 Days and 5 Nights/6 Days
Organized based on three types of travel.
budget type: Low-cost airlines during the off-season, focus on mini hotels and guesthouses, local restaurants, and utilize group tours.
Mid-range: Standard flights, 3-star hotels, a mix of local and casual restaurants, small group tours.
Relaxed type: Major airline or business class, 4-star or higher hotel, restaurant with a nice atmosphere, private tour.
3 Nights 4 Days Hanoi Base (Per Person, Round-trip Airfare Included / Unit: 10,000 KRW)
| item | budget type | Mid-range | Relaxed type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight (round trip) | 45 | 75 | 110 |
| Accommodation (3 nights) | 12 | 30 | 70 |
| Food expenses (3 nights, 4 days) | 8 | 18 | 35 |
| Tour (including 1 night in Ha Long Bay) | 25 | 45 | 80 |
| Local transportation | 3 | 6 | 12 |
| total | 93 | 174 | 307 |
6 Days 5 Nights Hanoi + Sapa or Hanoi + Ha Long Bay (Per Person, Unit: 10,000 KRW)
| item | budget type | Mid-range | Relaxed type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight (round trip) | 45 | 75 | 110 |
| Accommodation (5 nights) | 20 | 50 | 120 |
| Food expenses (5 nights, 6 days) | 13 | 30 | 60 |
| Tour (Ha Long Bay + 1 nearby location) | 35 | 65 | 120 |
| Local transportation | 5 | 10 | 20 |
| total | 118 | 230 | 430 |
※ The figures above are approximate estimates based on 2026. Prices may vary between 20 and 301 TP3T depending on flight rates, accommodation peak season, and tour composition. Please be sure to check the latest prices before making an actual reservation.
This number is just a starting point. It depends on what you experience.
There is a common mistake people make when calculating travel expenses for Vietnam. It is judging that they can travel cheaply just by looking at the airfare. However, airfare accounts for less than half of the total cost. Accommodation, food, tours, and transportation pile up beneath that.
There is also the opposite mistake: giving up on the trip from the start because the total budget is estimated too high. A 3-night, 4-day trip to Northern Vietnam is possible for under 1 million won. If you spend generously, it can exceed 3 million won. The important thing is to first decide what kind of trip you want to take.
For more detailed information on traveling to Northern Vietnam Northern Vietnam Travel GuideYou can check it at. Vietnam's official tourism information Vietnam Tourism BoardYou can also refer to it in...
If you find it difficult to calculate yourself, leave the itinerary and budget to our guide. Based on 10 years of experience, we will personally plan a route that fits your budget.
Consult on Northern Vietnam Tours
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