What it costs: a realistic budget

Short version: Not counting flights, three weeks from Saigon to Hanoi costs very roughly 17 million VND (about US$650) on a shoestring, 36 million VND (US$1,400) in comfort, or 81 million VND (US$3,100) if you treat yourself. Fuel is small change; the bike and your bed are the big items. Every figure here is approximate, checked in November 2026 at about 26,000 VND to US$1. Prices rise around Tết.

The bike

Buying and selling. We found no reliable figures for what travellers get back when they sell. It depends on season, luck and how rushed you are, so budget as if you'll recover little and treat anything more as a bonus. The paperwork for foreign owners is also murky: see Licences & staying legal. For three weeks, renting with a one-way drop is usually simpler. Vetted rental shops are in our directory.

Fuel

• Price. Petrol prices are regulated by the state and reviewed weekly, normally on Thursdays. After the 5 November 2026 review, E5 RON 92 was about 20,900 VND a litre and E10 RON 95 about 21,150–22,650 VND (roughly US$0.80–0.87), with slightly higher ceilings in remote areas. That review cut prices by more than 2,000 VND a litre, so expect movement.
• Consumption. Honda's official figure for its 110cc semi-automatic is 1.72 litres per 100 km; published figures for 150cc bikes are nearer 2. Loaded up and in the mountains, we'd budget 2–3.
• Total. A 2,500 km route would use 50–75 litres: roughly 1.1–1.7 million VND (US$40–65) for the whole trip.

Beds and food

Approximate prices for 2025–26.

A nhà nghỉ room costs about 200,000–400,000 VND whether one or two people sleep in it, so sharing halves the bill. A local meal is typically 25,000–100,000 VND.

Everything else

• Repairs and maintenance: an oil change is about 80,000–150,000 VND (US$3–6) and a puncture repair 30,000–50,000 VND (US$1–2). Allow 500,000–1,000,000 VND for three weeks. Damage to a rental bike comes out of your deposit.
• Sights: small sights cost little (Hoi An's old-town ticket is 120,000 VND, under US$5, for foreign adults in late 2026). Guided cave trips and boat tours are where the money goes, so check prices on the day.
• SIM and data: about 150,000–300,000 VND (US$6–12) for a month of generous data; travel eSIMs about US$6–20. Reports vary.
• Bike insurance: the compulsory third-party policy is widely reported at 66,000 VND a year and should come with the bike. Ask to see it. It covers neither you nor the bike.
• Travel insurance: prices depend on your age and country, so get quotes. Check that motorcycling is covered and what licence the policy demands.
• Visa: the e-visa is widely reported at US$25 single-entry or US$50 multiple-entry, for up to 90 days, and some passports get visa-free entry for shorter stays. The official portal was unreachable when we checked, so confirm there before paying.

Three weeks, three budgets

Per person, one bike each, in million VND. Flights, visa, travel insurance and gear are not included. These are our own sums from the ranges above, not quotes.

The assumptions: a 200,000 VND-a-day bike, 150,000 VND beds and 200,000 VND of food on the shoestring; 350,000, 500,000 and 400,000 for comfortable; 700,000, 1,500,000 and 800,000 for treat-yourself.

Heads up: Riding in February? Hotels in popular towns, transport and some restaurants charge more around Tết (train fares for Tết 2027 are 4–8% up on last year). We'd add a cushion of 15% or so. See When to go.

Cash, cards and ATMs

• Cash rules outside the cities: fuel, guesthouses, roadside food and mechanics. Cards work in bigger hotels, supermarkets and chain cafes.
• ATMs are in every town but scarce in mountain villages. Stock up before remote stretches and before Tết.
• Limits are commonly 2–5 million VND per withdrawal, sometimes 10 million or more.
• Fees for foreign cards vary a lot: nothing at a few banks, a fixed 20,000–165,000 VND or a percentage at others. The machine usually shows the fee before you confirm. Your own bank may add its own.
• Always choose to be charged in VND. If the machine offers to convert to your home currency, decline.
• Carry two cards on different networks (Visa and Mastercard), stored apart.
• The 500,000 and 20,000 VND notes are both blue. Check before you hand one over.

Tipping

Tipping isn't expected at street stalls, local restaurants or fuel stations. It is appreciated by guides, drivers, hotel porters and spa staff, and by the mechanic who stays late to get you moving. A sincere cảm ơn (thank you) goes a long way too.