Vietnam is still one of the cheapest places to travel in Southeast Asia, although prices have crept up. Below are typical 2026 costs from several current guides, plus the visa fee that every Israeli traveller needs to budget for. Checked in October 2026.
Typical daily budgets
Guides such as Day Trips Vietnam and Wander On Less give these ranges per person per day, excluding international flights:
- Backpacker: about $30 to $50 (dorms, street food, sleeper buses)
- Mid-range: about $80 to $150 (3-star hotels, restaurants, trains)
A reported 14-day mid-range trip runs roughly $1,400 to $2,800, excluding flights and the visa.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed | $5 to $12 |
| Private room in a hostel | $15 to $30 |
| Pho | $1.50 to $3 |
| Banh mi | $1 to $2 |
| Bun cha | $2 to $4 |
| Vietnamese coffee | $1 to $3 |
| Grab bike in central Ho Chi Minh City | Under $2 |
Street food and local stalls alone can come to $6 to $10 a day, and mixing street food with local restaurants about $12 to $20, according to the same sources. Prices in big tourist areas and on islands run higher.
The visa for Israeli travellers
Vietnam has a visa exemption list, but Israel is not on it. According to sources such as Tan Van Lang, Israeli citizens need a visa, and the usual route is the e-visa:
- Valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry.
- Reported fee: US$25 (single entry) or US$50 (multiple entry).
- Processing usually takes around three working days, so apply well before you fly.
Apply on the official Vietnamese immigration site, and be careful with look-alike websites that charge extra. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you travel.
Ways to save
- Eat where locals eat. Street food is both cheap and part of the experience.
- Use Grab or a bus in cities instead of tour transfers.
- Book flights early and compare dates: live Tel Aviv to Hanoi prices.
- Get a local data plan: compare eSIM options.
Plan the trip
Related on Travellagio
- Vietnam travel guide
- Best time to visit Vietnam
- Compare live flight prices
- Explore destinations on the live map
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