Quick verdict: Vietnam is Southeast Asia’s best backpacking destination — cheap + food + culture + adventure. $25-40/day comfortable.
6 best backpacking spots in Vietnam
Hanoi Old Quarter
Backpacker hub
$8-20/night hostels. Pho breakfast $2. Best base for north Vietnam exploration.
Halong Bay 2-day cruise
Iconic budget
Limestone karsts + junk boat overnight. $80-150 for budget overnight cruise.
Hoi An
Atmosphere + budget
$15-40/night. Ancient town + lantern night + custom tailoring + cooking classes.
Ha Giang Loop
Adventure backpack
3-day motorbike loop in northern mountains. $50-100 for Easy Rider driver-tour.
Da Nang Beach + Hoi An combo
Modern + traditional
Day trip Hoi An (40 min). Beach hostels in Da Nang $15-30/night.
Ho Chi Minh City + Mekong
South Vietnam
Saigon energy + Mekong Delta day trip. District 1 hostels $10-25/night.
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Updated 2026. Some links on Packzup are affiliate links.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.