Traveling the world doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With the right planning, flexible mindset, and a few smart hacks, you can explore incredible destinations—like Vietnam—without draining your savings. After six months of budget travel through Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia, I’ve learned that it’s very possible to travel comfortably and affordably.

Here’s everything I’ve learned, plus suggestions on where to go next if you’re chasing Vietnam-level prices.

✈️ Planning Your Budget Trip

1. Travel in the Shoulder Season

Spring and fall are your sweet spots—fewer tourists, lower prices, and more availability. Avoid holidays when locals are also on vacation.

2. Score Cheap Flights

Use sites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Kayak to compare deals. Be flexible with dates and airports. Sometimes flying into a nearby city and taking a bus or train can save a chunk of cash.

3. Affordable Accommodation

• Hostels & Guesthouses: Ideal for solo travelers and social vibes.

• Airbnb: Great for longer stays or if you want your own kitchen.

• Mini-Hotels in Vietnam: Super budget-friendly and usually include Wi-Fi and air con.

4. Visa & Travel Insurance

Budget for visas (some Southeast Asian countries require them) and don’t skimp on travel insurance. Look for one that covers medical issues, cancellations, and lost items.

🇻🇳 Vietnam: A Budget Traveler’s Dream

Vietnam blew me away with how affordable everything was. You can easily live on $20–$30 USD per day, even while moving around and doing activities.

• Street Food: Pho, banh mi, and spring rolls for just $1–2. Avoid touristy restaurants and hit the local stalls instead.

• Transport:

  • Local buses and trains are dirt cheap.

  • Sleeper buses are a super affordable (and time-saving) way to travel overnight.

  • Renting a motorbike is budget-friendly, but make sure you have an international license.

• Activities: Many attractions are free or cost just a few dollars—temples, beaches, national parks. Free walking tours are a great intro to city history and culture.

💡 Example: A day trip to Ha Long Bay booked locally was half the price of a luxury operator’s tour—and just as magical.

💸 General Budget Travel Tips

• Pack Light: Carry-on only saves money on flights.

• Cook Occasionally: If you have a kitchen, cooking your own meals helps cut costs.

• Free Stuff Rocks: Markets, hikes, local festivals, and city parks are often free.

• Haggle Respectfully: Bargaining is common—especially at markets.

• Use Free Wi-Fi: Cafés, hotels, and libraries usually have decent connections.

• Travel With a Buddy: Split accommodation and ride costs to save more.

🤔 Where to Next After Vietnam? (Especially During Ramadan)

So here’s my current dilemma: I’m in Malaysia, and while it’s usually budget-friendly, Ramadan has made finding daytime food tricky in Muslim-majority areas. I considered heading to Indonesia next (since it’s also cheap and close by), but it’s likely to be the same story with food availability until Eid.

If you’re in a similar situation—looking for Vietnam-level affordability but want to avoid the current fasting schedule—here are some great alternatives:

🌏 Cheap Destinations as Affordable as Vietnam (That Aren’t Fasting Right Now)

🇳🇵 Nepal

• Extremely budget-friendly for food, lodging, and trekking.

• Incredible mountain views, temples, and cultural experiences.

• Great weather in spring and fewer crowds than in peak trekking season.

🇮🇳 India (non-Muslim-majority states)

• Dirt cheap for everything—meals can be under $1.

• Avoid regions like Kashmir or parts of Uttar Pradesh during Ramadan and focus on Himachal Pradesh, Goa, or Tamil Nadu.

🇬🇪 Georgia

• Off-the-radar gem with Europe vibes at Southeast Asia prices.

• Great food, wine, and mountain landscapes.

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival for many nationalities.

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

• Great mix of beaches, wildlife, and culture.

• Still affordable despite recent inflation—especially if you eat locally and travel slowly.

🇵🇭 Philippines

• Not Muslim-majority overall, so Ramadan doesn’t affect most areas.

• Beautiful islands, good value food and guesthouses—just plan ahead for transportation between islands.

✍️ Final Thoughts

Budget travel isn’t about sacrificing comfort—it’s about being intentional. Vietnam set the bar high for affordable adventure, but there are many other countries where your money can stretch just as far. If you’re planning where to go next and trying to avoid the challenges of Ramadan in Muslim-majority areas, consider destinations like Nepal, Sri Lanka, or Georgia.

Wherever you go, stay curious, be respectful, and make the most of every dollar (or dong, rupee, or peso).