Haiphong Travel Budget How Much Do You Need
How much do you need for Haiphong travel? As a rough guide, a careful backpacker can enjoy the city on about 25 to 40 USD per day, a mid-range traveller on 60 to 110 USD, and a comfort-focused traveller on 150 USD or more. Haiphong is noticeably cheaper than Hanoi or Ha Long for food and local transport, and your biggest costs will usually be your hotel and any guided tours you book.
In this guide the Haiphong Adventure team breaks down typical costs for food, accommodation, transport, sightseeing and haiphong tours, then shares sample daily budgets and money-saving tips. Prices in Vietnam change often and vary by season, so treat every figure below as an approximate reference (updated October 2026) rather than a fixed price list.
Understanding Money In Haiphong
Vietnam uses the dong (VND). Notes come in many denominations and the zeros can be confusing at first. At the time of writing, one US dollar buys roughly 25,000 to 27,000 VND, but rates move, so check a live converter before you travel.
- Cash is still king for street food, coffee, markets, parking and small shops.
- Cards are accepted in most hotels, larger restaurants, supermarkets and malls.
- ATMs are easy to find in the city centre. Some charge a withdrawal fee, so take out larger amounts less often.
- Ride-hailing apps let you pay by card or cash and show the fare in advance.
A handy trick is to separate your money: small notes (10,000 to 50,000 VND) in one pocket for daily purchases, larger notes kept safely in your bag. It makes paying quicker and avoids flashing big bills at busy stalls.
Food And Drink Costs
Eating well is where Haiphong travel shines. The city is famous for its street food, and most local dishes cost far less than a meal in a tourist area of Hanoi.
| Item | Typical price (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Sidewalk coffee or iced tea | 15,000 to 35,000 VND |
| Bowl of banh da cua (crab noodle soup) | 35,000 to 60,000 VND |
| Banh mi cay (small spicy bread rolls), one portion | 20,000 to 40,000 VND |
| Plate of snails or shellfish at a street stall | 40,000 to 100,000 VND |
| Meal at a mid-range local restaurant | 120,000 to 300,000 VND per person |
| Seafood dinner sold by weight | Varies widely, ask before ordering |
| Local beer at a street bar | 20,000 to 40,000 VND |
Budget travellers can eat three tasty meals plus coffee for around 150,000 to 250,000 VND per day. If you want to know which dishes are worth your money, our guide to the best must-try Haiphong dishes and local eateries is a good place to start.
Where food costs can surprise you
Seafood is the main exception to cheap eating. In many seafood restaurants, especially near beaches and harbours, fish, crab and shellfish are priced by the kilogram. Always confirm the price and weight before the kitchen starts cooking. Imported wine and cocktails in hotel bars also cost close to international prices.
Accommodation Costs
Accommodation will be the largest part of most Haiphong travel budgets. The good news is that the city offers solid value compared with Hanoi’s Old Quarter or Ha Long’s tourist strip.
- Hostels and simple guesthouses: roughly 200,000 to 450,000 VND per night for a private room or bed.
- Mid-range hotels: roughly 600,000 to 1,500,000 VND per night, usually with breakfast.
- Upscale and international hotels: from around 1,800,000 VND per night and up.
Weekends, public holidays and the Lunar New Year (Tet) period are busier, so book early if your dates fall then. Staying in the city centre saves money on transport because many sights, cafes and food streets are within walking distance.
Getting Around The City
Haiphong is compact enough that you can see a lot on foot, and short rides are inexpensive.
| Option | Typical cost (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Old centre, Opera House, markets |
| Motorbike taxi via app | 15,000 to 50,000 VND per short ride | Solo travellers, quick hops |
| Car via app or metered taxi | 50,000 to 150,000 VND per short ride | Couples, families, rainy days |
| Self-rented scooter | Around 120,000 to 200,000 VND per day plus fuel | Experienced riders with the correct licence |
Renting a scooter looks cheap, but you need a valid licence and travel insurance that covers riding, and traffic can be intense. If you do rent, read our tips on scams to avoid with motorbike rental in Haiphong first.
>>> Free Things To Do In Haiphong For Budget Travel
Getting To Haiphong And Onward
Most visitors arrive from Hanoi or continue to Cat Ba, so include these trips in your budget.
- Train from Hanoi: the slowest but often the cheapest and most scenic choice.
- Express bus or limousine van: faster, with door-to-door pick-up on many limousine services, at a higher price.
- Private car: the most comfortable and flexible, best value when shared by a family or group.
- To Cat Ba: combined bus and boat tickets or ferries from the Haiphong area, prices vary by route and season.
Fares change regularly, so check current prices with the operator or your hotel. Our comparison of bus and train from Hanoi to Haiphong explains the pros and cons of each.
Recommended tour
The Haiphong Street Food and City Tour
Taste the city’s signature dishes and see its main landmarks in one ride with a local guide, a smart way to get great value from a short stay.
From $85 per person
Sightseeing And Tour Costs
Many of Haiphong’s best experiences are free: walking past the Opera House, watching life on the Cam River promenade, browsing markets, visiting the Le Chan statue square and wandering colonial streets. Pagodas and temples are usually free to enter, though a small donation is appreciated.
Paid experiences are where you can choose how much to spend:
- Museums and small attractions: low entrance fees, often under a few dollars.
- Guided city, food or night tours: Haiphong Adventure tours currently start from 79 USD per person, including a local guide, transport by motorbike with an experienced driver and food tastings where stated.
- Day trips: Cat Ba, Lan Ha Bay, Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh tours cost more because they include longer transport, boats and entrance fees.
A guided tour can actually save money on a short visit because transport, tastings and local knowledge are bundled together, and you avoid paying tourist prices. For a full breakdown of what is included, see our Haiphong tour cost budget guide.
Sample Daily Budgets
Here is how a typical day could look for three types of traveller. Figures are per person and approximate.
| Category | Backpacker | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 8 to 15 USD | 25 to 50 USD | 70 USD and up |
| Food and drinks | 7 to 12 USD | 15 to 30 USD | 35 USD and up |
| Local transport | 2 to 5 USD | 5 to 12 USD | 15 USD and up |
| Sightseeing and extras | 3 to 8 USD | 10 to 20 USD | 25 USD and up |
| Daily total | About 25 to 40 USD | About 60 to 110 USD | 150 USD and up |
Add the cost of any guided tour on the day you take it, plus your transport to and from Haiphong. Couples and families save on accommodation and car transport because these costs are shared.
Budget For A Weekend In Haiphong
A two-day weekend is a popular way to experience the city. For a mid-range traveller, a realistic plan looks like this:
- Day one: arrive from Hanoi, check in, afternoon walk around the Opera House and colonial streets, street food dinner.
- Day two: sidewalk coffee and banh da cua breakfast, a half-day guided tour or countryside ride, seafood lunch, return to Hanoi or continue to Cat Ba.
Budget roughly 150 to 250 USD per person for the weekend including a mid-range hotel, meals, local transport and one guided tour, plus your intercity transport. For more ideas, see our favourite things to do in Haiphong on a weekend.
>>> Comparing Bus And Train From Hanoi To Haiphong
Smart Ways To Save Money
- Eat where locals eat. Busy stalls with plastic stools are cheaper and often tastier than restaurants aimed at visitors.
- Use ride-hailing apps so you see the fare before you ride.
- Stay central and walk between nearby sights.
- Travel midweek for lower hotel rates and quieter attractions.
- Ask the price first for seafood, massages, boat trips and anything without a printed menu.
- Carry a refillable bottle and buy large bottles of water from convenience stores.
- Book tours directly with a local operator rather than through several middlemen.
Costs People Often Forget
A realistic Haiphong travel budget also covers the small extras that add up:
- Travel insurance, especially if you plan any motorbike activity.
- Mobile data: a local SIM or eSIM is inexpensive and makes maps and ride apps easy.
- ATM fees from your home bank and the local machine.
- Tips: not mandatory, but appreciated by guides and drivers if you are happy with the service.
- Laundry, sunscreen and rain gear, depending on the season.
>>> Scams To Avoid With Motorbike Rental Haiphong
Our Advice On Planning Your Haiphong Travel Budget
Haiphong is one of the best value cities in northern Vietnam. Spend little on transport and everyday meals, choose a comfortable central hotel and save your bigger budget for the experiences that matter most to you, whether that is a guided food night, a countryside ride or a trip to Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay. With a little planning, the city gives you a lot for your money.
Frequently Asked Questions About Haiphong Travel Costs
Is Haiphong cheaper than Hanoi?
Generally yes, especially for street food, local transport and mid-range hotels. Imported goods and international hotels cost about the same.
How much cash should I carry each day?
For a mid-range day, around 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND in small notes covers food, coffee and short rides. Use a card for hotels and larger bills.
Do I need to tip in Haiphong?
Tipping is not expected at street stalls. For guides and drivers, a small tip is a kind way to say thank you for good service.
Are haiphong tours worth the money for a short stay?
Often yes. A guided tour combines transport, tastings and local knowledge, so you see more in less time and avoid common tourist mistakes.
Can I pay by card at street food stalls?
Usually not. Some vendors accept local bank transfer QR codes, but foreign cards rarely work, so carry cash.
Plan A Great Value Trip With Haiphong Adventure
Tell us your travel dates, group size and budget, and the Haiphong Adventure team will suggest a tour and a simple plan that make the most of your time and money in the port city, with clear prices and no hidden extras.
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