Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Vietnam and Laos, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Vietnam and Laos, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
20 of the 29 items cost less in Laos.
Bottled, convenience store
Vietnam: ≈ $0.19 – $0.39 ₫5,000 – ₫10,000 Laos: ≈ $0.36 – $0.63 ₭8,000 – ₭14,000 Cafe or street vendor
Vietnam: ≈ $0.58 – $2.30 ₫15,000 – ₫60,000 Laos: ≈ $0.67 – $1.60 ₭15,000 – ₭35,000 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Vietnam: ≈ $0.19 – $2.30 ₫5,000 – ₫60,000 Laos: ≈ $0.45 – $1.30 ₭10,000 – ₭30,000 Tourist area, main course
Vietnam: ≈ $3.10 – $9.60 ₫80,000 – ₫250,000 Laos: ≈ $3.60 – $11 ₭80,000 – ₭250,000 Local market or stand
Vietnam: ≈ $0.77 – $3.10 ₫20,000 – ₫80,000 Laos: ≈ $0.45 – $1.10 ₭10,000 – ₭25,000 Mixed drink, bar
Vietnam: ≈ $3.10 – $5.80 ₫80,000 – ₫150,000 Laos: ≈ $2.50 – $4.30 ₭55,000 – ₭95,000 House wine, restaurant
Vietnam: ≈ $6 – $13 ₫150,000 – ₫350,000 Laos: ≈ $4.50 – $11 ₭100,000 – ₭250,000 Cafe or street stall
Vietnam: ≈ $0.39 – $1.90 ₫10,000 – ₫50,000 Laos: ≈ $0.45 – $1.30 ₭10,000 – ₭30,000 Standard route
Vietnam: ≈ $10 – $15 ₫250,000 – ₫400,000 Laos: ≈ $2.70 – $4.50 ₭60,000 – ₭100,000 Metered or typical fare
Vietnam: ≈ $0.58 – $1.30 ₫15,000 – ₫35,000 Laos: ≈ $0.36 – $1.10 ₭8,000 – ₭25,000 Single ride
Vietnam: ≈ $0.27 – $0.46 ₫7,000 – ₫12,000 Laos: ≈ $0.36 – $0.90 ₭8,000 – ₭20,000 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Vietnam: ≈ $1.90 – $3.90 ₫50,000 – ₫100,000 Laos: ≈ $1.30 – $6.70 ₭30,000 – ₭150,000 Tourist shop
Vietnam: ≈ $0.39 – $1.20 ₫10,000 – ₫30,000 Laos: ≈ $0.36 – $0.90 ₭8,000 – ₭20,000 Tourist shop
Vietnam: ≈ $3.10 – $5.80 ₫80,000 – ₫150,000 Laos: ≈ $1.30 – $3.60 ₭30,000 – ₭80,000 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Vietnam: ≈ $4 – $12 ₫100,000 – ₫300,000 Laos: ≈ $4.50 – $22 ₭100,000 – ₭500,000 Data package
Vietnam: ≈ $6 – $12 ₫150,000 – ₫300,000 Laos: ≈ $0.90 – $3.10 ₭20,000 – ₭70,000 Pharmacy or shop
Vietnam: ≈ $5 – $7.70 ₫130,000 – ₫200,000 Laos: ≈ $3.40 – $13 ₭75,000 – ₭300,000 Supermarket
Vietnam: ≈ $0.35 – $0.58 ₫9,000 – ₫15,000 Laos: ≈ $0.22 – $0.36 ₭5,000 – ₭8,000 Pack of 20
Vietnam: ≈ $0.96 – $1.50 ₫25,000 – ₫40,000 Laos: ≈ $1.60 – $2.20 ₭35,000 – ₭50,000 Pack of 20 tablets
Vietnam: ≈ $0.39 – $1.20 ₫10,000 – ₫30,000 Laos: ≈ $0.45 – $1.10 ₭10,000 – ₭25,000 Spray or lotion
Vietnam: ≈ $1.20 – $3.10 ₫30,000 – ₫80,000 Laos: ≈ $2.70 – $4.90 ₭60,000 – ₭110,000 Local barbershop
Vietnam: ≈ $1.20 – $2.70 ₫30,000 – ₫70,000 Laos: ≈ $0.90 – $2.70 ₭20,000 – ₭60,000 Laundry service
Vietnam: ≈ $0.58 – $1.90 ₫15,000 – ₫50,000 Laos: ≈ $0.67 – $1.30 ₭15,000 – ₭30,000 Standard full-body massage
Vietnam: ≈ $6 – $12 ₫150,000 – ₫300,000 Laos: ≈ $4.50 – $9 ₭100,000 – ₭200,000 Basic cut, salon
Vietnam: ≈ $3.90 – $9.60 ₫100,000 – ₫250,000 Laos: ≈ $2.20 – $5.40 ₭50,000 – ₭120,000 Entrance ticket
Vietnam: ≈ $1.20 – $7.70 ₫30,000 – ₫200,000 Laos: ≈ $0.22 – $2.20 ₭5,000 – ₭50,000 Organized excursion
Vietnam: ≈ $23 – $39 ₫600,000 – ₫1,000,000 Laos: ≈ $9 – $18 ₭200,000 – ₭400,000 Organized excursion 6-8h
Vietnam: ≈ $19 – $39 ₫500,000 – ₫1,000,000 Laos: ≈ $11 – $25 ₭250,000 – ₭550,000 Local cuisine cooking class
Vietnam: ≈ $15 – $31 ₫400,000 – ₫800,000 Laos: ≈ $9 – $22 ₭200,000 – ₭500,000 Tourist prices are about 3.1× the fair price in Vietnam and Laos alike.
Vietnam 11th highest of 60
Laos 12th highest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Vietnam Tipping is not obligatory but increasingly expected in tourist areas, leave 20,000-50,000 VND at restaurants. Motorbike taxi (xe om) and cyclo drivers appreciate rounding up the fare.
Laos Tipping is not traditional but welcomed, leave 10,000-20,000 LAK at local restaurants or round up in USD. Tour guides and boat crews deserve 20,000-50,000 LAK per day.
Yes. In Laos you pay about 23% less than in Vietnam at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Vietnam 47, Laos 36 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 20 of the 29 items cost less in Laos.
A week is cheaper in Laos: about $87 at fair prices, against $92 in Vietnam. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $275 in Vietnam and $235 in Laos.
In Laos: food and drinks cost about 17% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $3.10 – $9.60 in Vietnam and $3.60 – $11 in Laos, street food $0.77 – $3.10 and $0.45 – $1.10.
Tourist prices are about 3.1× the fair price in Vietnam and Laos alike.
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Vietnam vs Laos, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/vietnam-vs-laos/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.
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