Cheap travel to Vietnam – Our 8 tips and tricks

If our travel time is often limited, it is especially the money that we may end up short. Good news for you, Vietnam is basically a very cheap destination in terms of the cost of living and with our tips and tricks for a cheap trip to Vietnam, you'll be able to make your escape wishes come true!

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1. Traveling to Vietnam in the low season

Traveling to Vietnam in the low season is obviously the number 1 tip, the one that will allow you to save a lot of money. The low season in Vietnam mainly focuses on the months of May, June and September. During these 3 months, you can claim to save money on accommodation, transport and excursions. Another advantage, during the low season, there are fewer tourists, and you can, therefore, enjoy the places visited with complete peace of mind. The icing on the cake, it is during these 3 months that the rice terraces of northern Vietnam are the most resplendent.

2. Find a cheap flight to Vietnam

A return flight to Vietnam is one of the biggest expenses for your trip to Vietnam. To find a cheap flight to Vietnam, it is wise to check and compare prices before booking. To do this, we invite you to consult as many comparators as possible to make sure you have the best offer for a cheap flight to Vietnam. The flight comparators that we recommend are www.skyscanner.fr, kayak.com and momondo.com. Avoid booking a flight between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.; this is when there are the most reservations and flight prices are the most expensive. Note that a flight with a stopover is very often cheaper than a direct flight, but please take note, however, that the stopover is not too long.

Another solution to get a cheap flight is to take a Paris – Bangkok flight, which is a big hub, and then to take a flight to Vietnam with a low-cost company like Air Asia or Viet Jet Air. Also, remember to book your flight during the low season mentioned above.

3. Use a local travel agency

If you want to take an organized trip to Vietnam, it is better to use a local travel agency rather than a tour operator. You avoid intermediaries and, with the local travel agency, can concoct a tailor-made tour according to your desires and your budget. The local agency will be able to adapt perfectly to your budget and will make you benefit from its rates negotiated with local operators and its incomparable experience in the field.

4. Choose the train and the bus

Whether you are travelling with a local agency or independently, we advise you to favour train and bus journeys if you have a limited budget. Most of Vietnam's major must-see sites are accessible by train and bus. For short journeys, we recommend the bus. On the other hand, for longer journeys, it is preferable to take the train and, in particular, the night train, which will allow you to save time and a hotel night while benefiting from good travel conditions with sleeping compartments.

5. Favour shared or free activities and excursions

If you have a limited budget for your trip to Vietnam, know that it is possible to afford a great range of activities without necessarily breaking the bank. You can then use a local travel agency to book shared activities and excursions with other travellers, such as a cruise in Halong Bay, a cooking class, a city tour or a hike in Sapa. The more participants, the lower the price per person. This will be an opportunity to also share your travel impressions with other travellers. Note that many hotels lend free bicycles, such as in Halong Bay on land, in Hue, Hoi An or the Mekong Delta.

6. Most often stay with locals

In Vietnam, throughout the country, you have the possibility of staying with the locals; the offer is very extensive. The price is very reasonable, from 5 euros per night for a bed in a dormitory. Sleeping with locals is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture while supporting the local economy. It's a great way to practice tourism with a more human face while sparing your budget. Staying with the locals will allow you to meet great people and will make your trip to Vietnam quite unforgettable!

7. Eat local food

One of the great attractions of a trip to Vietnam is undoubtedly its cuisine. Vietnamese cuisine, renowned throughout the world, is appreciated for its great variety, creativity, freshness, lightness and incomparable combination of flavours and textures. Small budgets rejoice; eating local is probably the best way to taste traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnam also has one of the best street food in the world. Eating on the street right on the sidewalk is a must-do travel experience in Vietnam. The price is low and the atmosphere, very friendly, is very exotic.

>> Read more: Top 10 unmissable dishes in Vietnam

8. Choose the right bank card to limit travel costs

This is a tip not to be overlooked because, in the end, the bank charges accumulate and can weigh on your budget. Some online banks do not charge any fees on your foreign currency withdrawals or on your international payments. To limit your bank charges, also remember to come with cash that you will change on the spot for a minimal commission.

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>> 5 reasons to go to Vietnam solo

>> A gastronomic journey through Vietnam