In January, we continued our Vietnam journey, moving from Northern to Central Vietnam. This third month on the road gave us a chance to see how our travel budget held up over time.

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

• 7 days in Ninh Binh
• 21 days in Hue
• 3 days in Hoi An

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At a glance

• Total spent: CAD 2,262.07
• Monthly budget: CAD 4,000.00
  • Under budget by: CAD 1,737.93

All expenses below are for two people.

Compared to previous months, this month was significantly cheaper, clearly showing that outside of the capital Vietnam is a very budget-friendly destination when you slow down.

Running trip total (November 2025–January 2026)

• Total spent: CAD 9,342.59
• Total budget : CAD 12,000.00

After three months on the road, we are currently under budget by CAD 2,657.41 (22%).

Expense breakdown for January

Accommodation — CAD 888.32 (38%)

• Average per night: CAD 28.66
  • 7 nights in Ninh Binh — CAD 188.37
    • CAD 26.91 / night
  • 21 nights in Hue — CAD 596.50
    • CAD 28.40 / night
  • 3 nights in Hoi An — CAD 103.44
    • CAD 34.48 / night

January accommodation costs were the lowest so far.

Food

• Eating out — CAD 392.46 (17%)

• Groceries — CAD 320.67 (14%)

Overall food costs were slightly lower than in previous months.

Flights (regional) — CAD 0 (0%)

No flights this month, which helped keep overall costs down.

Local transportation — CAD 195.63 (9%)

Includes shared transfer from Hanoi to Ninh Binh, train from Ninh Binh to Hue, shared transfer from Hue to Hoi An, and local Grab rides. Quite low considering we moved between three different locations.

Sightseeing & activities — CAD 251.03 (11%)

Includes museum entry fees, audio guides, and tours.
We did more sightseeing this month compared to December.

Fees and charges — CAD 103.73 (5%)

In addition to regular eSIM and e-visa costs, we had an unexpected expense of CAD 73.00 to replace a stove in our Hue apartment that we accidentally burned out.

Other expenses — CAD 110.23 (5%)

• Health & Care: CAD 78.86
  • Massages and a facial
• Coffee: CAD 1.58
  • My coffee filter from Hanoi has already paid for itself by lowering our costs in this category
• Shopping (non-food): CAD 29.79
  • Household items, toiletries.

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What stood out this month

• Accommodation was the cheapest so far. Our very affordable stay in Ninh Binh and a spacious two-bedroom apartment in Hue significantly reduced overall costs.
• Food costs also decreased. While our balance between eating out and cooking remained similar to December, prices in Ninh Binh and Hue were noticeably lower than in Hanoi.
• Transportation expenses were reduced as well. Choosing trains and shared transfers instead of flights proved to be economical.
• Hue stood out as the best value for wellness services. One-hour massages or facials cost around CAD 13 per person, with very good quality—excellent value for money.
• Overall, this month confirmed that Vietnam is exceptionally budget-friendly once you move beyond major cities.

Travel style observations

Pace & stay duration

Maintaining a slower pace and staying longer in each location—7 nights in Ninh Binh, 21 nights in Hue—helped reduce the stress and cost of frequent moves. Even with three location changes this month, the pace felt manageable.

Transportation & local logistics

Shared transfers continued to offer excellent value for shorter distances. For longer trips, like the 12-hour train from Ninh Binh to Hue, land transport was much cheaper than flying, though the journey was long and tiring. For future long-distance moves, we may consider flying if the travel time feels excessive.

Accommodation & food

Having a kitchen is essential for us. Spending a week without one in Ninh Binh confirmed that home-cooked meals are our preference, not just for cost savings but because they allow us to eat healthier—an important consideration for us.

Final thoughts

January was our most budget-friendly month so far, showing that Vietnam becomes even more affordable once you leave the capital and travel at a slower pace.

At the same time, lower costs didn’t mean compromising on experiences. In fact, this month felt more relaxed and varied, with a good mix of sightseeing, local experiences, and downtime.

With one more month in Vietnam ahead, it will be interesting to see whether these lower costs continue or if moving to new destinations changes the trend.