In December, we wrapped up our stay in the Philippines and settled into a longer stretch in Hanoi, Vietnam. This second month on the road gave us a chance to see how our travel budget held up.

If you’re new here, our first budget post explains our approach and what’s included in these numbers.

Currency note: All amounts below are shown in Canadian dollars (CAD) and reflect conversions at the rate used by our card providers at the time of purchase.

Where we were

• 2 days in the Philippines
• 29 days in Vietnam (Hanoi with side trips)

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At a glance

• Total spent: CAD 3,392.56
• Monthly budget: CAD 4,000.00
  • Under budget by: CAD 607.44

All expenses below are for two people.

Compared to November, this month was slightly cheaper, mainly because November included three days in Canada, which increased overall costs.

Running trip total (November–December 2025)

• Total spent: CAD 7080.52
• Total budget : CAD 8,000.00

After two months on the road, we are currently under budget by CAD 919.48 or 11.5% — giving us some flexibility going forward.

Expense breakdown for December

Accommodation — CAD 1,429.35 (42%)

• Average per night: CAD 46.11
  • Philippines:
    • 2 nights — CAD 101.10
    • CAD 50.55 / night
  • Vietnam:
    • 29 nights in Hanoi — CAD 1,168.09
    • 6 nights on overnight side trips — CAD 160.16
    • CAD 45.80 / night

December accommodation costs were slightly higher than in November because we paid for our Hanoi apartment while also booking accommodation for side trips with six overnight stays.

Food

• Eating out — CAD 515.46 (15%)
  • Philippines: CAD 101.80
  • Vietnam: CAD 413.66

• Groceries — CAD 350.38 (10%)
  • Philippines: CAD 13.77
  • Vietnam: CAD 336.61

Eating out costs were lower and groceries higher compared to November, as we cooked at home much more in Vietnam. Overall, total food spending remained quite similar.

Flights (regional) — CAD 415.18 (12%)

• Tagbilaran → Manila: CAD 149.22 for two people
• Manila → Hanoi: CAD 265.96 for two people

Local transportation — CAD 215.65 (6%)

• Philippines: CAD 65.20
• Vietnam: CAD 150.45

This includes buses, Grab / taxis, and transfers for side trips from Hanoi. Suprisingly, not a high cost for this month.

Sightseeing & activities — CAD 234.21 (7%)

• Philippines: CAD 22.70
• Vietnam: CAD 211.51

Includes museum entry fees, audio guides, and two guided tours in Cat Ba, Vietnam. Cost was similar November.

Other expenses — CAD 232.33 (7%)

• Health & Care: CAD 112.78
  • New category this month: included dentist, facial and haircuts.
• Coffee: CAD 29.75
  • We drank more coffee in Vietnam, but overall costs stayed low as we bought a Vietnamese coffee filter (phin) and mostly made coffee at home. Coffee grounds cost is included in groceries.
• Shopping (non-food): CAD 25.19
  • Household items, coffee filter, toiletries.
• Fees & charges: CAD 64.61
  • Included the eSIM and 2 Vietnam e-visas.

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What stood out this month

• Accommodation was, not surprisingly, the largest expense.
• Total food costs were very similar between the Philippines and Vietnam. In the Philippines, we ate out for every meal, while in Vietnam we cooked at home for about two-thirds of the time. Despite that shift, overall spending stayed comparable — but food quality was higher in Vietnam as we focused more on protein, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
• Local transportation costs in November were almost twice as high as in December, reflecting our faster travel pace. In Hanoi, we mostly walked, with occasional Grab rides. Vietnam also has excellent tourist transport infrastructure — even with trips to Cat Ba and Pu Luong, costs remained low.
• Health and personal care were extremely affordable in Vietnam. A dentist checkup and cleaning cost CAD 13, a small filling CAD 16, a one-hour facial CAD 30, and a haircut (including wash and head massage) CAD 30.

Travel style observations

Pace & stay duration

Slowing down to a four-week stay in Hanoi worked very well for us. Even with two side trips, the month felt significantly more relaxed than November. This is a pace we plan to continue going forward.

Visa-based planning

One of the key decisions behind this trip has been to stay in each country for as long as visa rules allow. This reduces the need for frequent international flights and helps keep overall travel costs lower. In Vietnam, this means up to 90 days.

Transportation & local logistics

For short distances, Grab rides proved very budget-friendly. For longer trips, shared transfers in Vietnam were affordable, comfortable, and convenient.

Accommodation & food

Having access to a kitchen in our Hanoi apartment allowed us to balance eating out with simple home-cooked meals. Shopping at the local market helped keep food costs down while maintaining variety and quality.

Final thoughts

Our second month on the road — and still under budget — feels like a strong confirmation that this approach is working.

We didn’t compromise on experiences, comfort, or food quality. While Vietnam can certainly be cheaper, our choices reflect what matters most to us — and still keep us within our budget.