The cost of travel in Vietnam varies from pocket change to the platinum card, depending on taste and comfort. Ascetics could just about get by US$10 a day, while a conventional budget traveller can live it up from US$20 to US$25. Midrange travelers can have a ball from US$50 to US$100 a day, staying comfortably, eating well and travelling comfortably. At the top end, spending US$200 or more a day, anything is possible.

Foreigners are frequent overcharged, particularly when buying sou­venirs and occasionally in restaurants. Rapacious bus and taxi drivers will often bump up their rates to several times the Vietnamese price. However, don't assume that everyone is trying to rip you off. Despite of widespreading poverty, many Vietnamese will only ask the local price for many goods and services.

The official currency may be Vietnam dong (VND), but the US dollar is pretty widely accepted. In tourist centers, most hotels will accept either, while other businesses may prefer dong. As you venture off the trail, make sure you are packing plenty of local currency. Rooms start from as little as US$3 to US$5 in busy to urist centers. Spending US$10 to US$20 will boost the comforts quickly, and rooms will generally include air-con, satellite TV, fridge and hot water. Making the step up to US$50 and three-star frills are available. At US$100 and above, it's five-star territory. Don't be afraid to negotiate for a discount if it is low season or if numbers are down.

Dining out is where Vietnam comes into its own. Surfing the street stalls and markets, meals can be found for between US$0.50 and US$1. Local restaurants are more comfortable and you can eat well for between US$1 and US$3.50. Then there are the Vietnamese gourmet restaurants, where you can still only spend around US$10 with drinks; with the right wines you could easily spend US$50.

Domestic flights are relatively expensive compared with some countries, in the region. A one-way ticket from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is around US$110. Trains are great value and overnight sleepers are a good way to cover long distances like Hanoi to Hue or HCMC to NhaTrang.

Bus travel is a bargain by Western standards. Public buses between major destinations have fixed fares, but when travelling by bus in remo te areas overcharging is the rule. For maximum flexibility, many travelers prefer to rent a car or 4WD and go exploring with a guide. Costs run from about US$25 around town to as much as US$100 a day upcountry (including the driver's food and lodging). A guide costs from US$20 to US$ 40, depending on the destination