Fair prices in ベトナム — what things really cost

Da Nang's airport is only about 3km from the centre, so a ride into town or to My Khe Beach is short and cheap. Use a metered Vinasun or Mai Linh taxi or a ride-hailing app, and be firm that a quick trip should not cost an inflated flat fare.

App-based motorbike rides are the cheapest and fastest way around the flat, spread-out city. The price is fixed in the app and a helmet is provided, so there is nothing to haggle.

A bowl of the region's signature mi quang at a busy local eatery costs very little. Look for simple spots full of Vietnamese diners rather than tourist-facing restaurants near the beach.

Fresh seafood is a Da Nang highlight, but prices vary hugely. Choose places that show clear per-kilo prices, confirm the weight and total before it is cooked, and be wary of 'market price' spots with no menu.

Strong Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk (ca phe sua da) is cheap at neighbourhood cafes. Beachfront and rooftop cafes charge much more for the view.

Buy sealed bottled water from convenience stores and small shops rather than hotel minibars, and check the seal before drinking, as tap water is not safe to drink.

The Sun World Ba Na Hills ticket is a fixed, all-in price covering the cable car and most attractions, and it is one of the pricier days out in Vietnam. Buy it online or at the official counter and ignore anyone offering 'discount' tickets nearby.

Use only a reputable metered company or a ride-hailing app, and agree on the meter or app price. The airport is about 45 minutes out, so a flat quote far above this range is a red flag.

The official city bus to the centre is very cheap and comfortable. Confirm the route number and that it stops near your hotel before boarding.

App-based motorbike rides are cheap and beat the traffic. The app fixes the price in advance, so you avoid haggling and meter tricks.

A bowl at a busy local spot is a fraction of hotel-restaurant prices. Look for stalls full of Vietnamese diners for the best value and freshness.

Hanoi's signature egg coffee is cheap at neighbourhood cafes. Prices rise sharply at tourist-facing terraces overlooking the lake.

Buy from convenience stores or small shops rather than in-room minibars. Check the seal is intact before drinking.

Eat one street back from the busiest tourist corners for better prices. Confirm prices on the menu and check the bill against what you ordered.

The official combined ticket (around 120,000 dong) lets you enter a set number of the ticketed heritage houses, halls and the Japanese Bridge. Buy it from an official booth, not from a tout on the street, and keep the coupons until you have used them.

Hoi An has no airport; you arrive via Da Nang, about 30 kilometres and 45 minutes away. A Grab car is usually cheapest, a metered or pre-booked private car a little more. Fix the fare in the app or agree it before setting off.

A Grab motorbike (xe om) is the cheapest way to hop between the old town, the beach and nearby villages. The app fixes the fare so there is nothing to argue about; a helmet should be provided.

A short river boat ride is priced per boat, not per person, so a small group shares the cost. Agree the price and how long the ride lasts before boarding, and buy floating lanterns separately for a small sum if you want them.

Hoi An eats well for little. A sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant is good value, and local noodle and rice dishes at a busy street kitchen cost a fraction of that. Check whether tax and service are added at tourist-facing places.

A bowl of the town's signature cao lau, or mi quang, from a market stall or small eatery costs very little. The busiest local spots are usually both the cheapest and the best; eat where you see residents queuing.

Prices vary hugely with fabric and complexity, so a simple shirt is cheap while a lined suit or dress costs much more. Get a written quote and fabric details up front, and be wary of a price that seems too good, as it often means thinner cloth.

The yellow Route 18 airport bus is the cheapest way between Cam Ranh airport and central Nha Trang, running along the coast road to the city and stopping at several points. Buy your ticket on board with small notes and allow around an hour.

Airport taxis usually charge a set fare rather than the meter for the roughly 35km run into the city. Agree the price before you get in, use only the official rank outside arrivals, and note a booked car or ride-hailing app is often clearer and no dearer.

A Grab or Xanh SM motorbike is the cheapest and fastest way around town, with the fare fixed in the app so there is nothing to haggle. Short hops across the centre cost very little; a helmet is provided and should always be worn.

A steaming bowl of Nha Trang fish noodle soup at a busy local shop costs only a dollar or two and is a local breakfast staple. Look for a place full of Vietnamese diners and freshly made fish cakes for the best version.

Seafood is a highlight but also where overcharging happens. Choose places that clearly display prices per kilo, confirm the weight and price of anything sold live before it is cooked, and keep the menu with prices in front of you.

Banh can, tiny rice-flour pancakes cooked in clay moulds and served with a dipping sauce, are a cheap and delicious south-central snack. Evening stalls are the classic spot; a plate costs very little, so order generously.

Strong Vietnamese coffee dripped over sweet condensed milk and poured on ice is cheap and everywhere. A local cafe or streetside stool costs less than a beachfront lounge, but both are normal, not a scam.