Entrance Fees on Vietnam Tours: Who Pays
Some tickets sit inside the package and some do not, so carry a little cash.
Ask your seller to mark every site in the programme as included, pay yourself or optional. Then carry some Vietnamese dong for the ones you pay at the gate. A quote that says nothing about tickets leaves the question open, so do not leave it open.
How do you read a quote for ticket coverage?
Look at the programme, not the headline. Write each site on its own row. Next to it, write what the quote says about the ticket. If the quote is silent, mark the row unclear and ask.
Words to watch for are “entrance fees included” without a list, “main attractions” and “as per programme”. Each one can cover more or less than you think. Ask for the site names.
What does a real ticket listing look like?
The Hue Imperial City is a useful example. An adult ticket and a child’s ticket from age 12 were listed at 200,000 VND, with children aged 7 to 12 at 40,000 VND and under 7 free1. Prices are listed when we checked, so confirm before you go.
The same listing shows hours of 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM in the dry season and 7 AM to 5 PM in the rainy season2. A child’s ticket depends on age, so carry a copy of your child’s date of birth with the passport. This matters if your group has teens and toddlers.
How much cash should you carry?
Vietnam’s currency is the dong, ISO code VND3. Banknotes in frequent use run from 1,000 to 500,000 dong4, so ask for a mix of small notes. The larger notes are hard to change at small stalls.
Use the ringgit cost worksheet to set a rough daily cash figure from your site list. Work out the total for each day, add a small buffer and carry that, not a large sum.
What should you check before paying?
- Is each site on the programme marked in, out or unclear?
- Are child tickets counted by age or by height?
- Does the guide pay on your behalf and add it to a later bill?
- Is there a site that needs a separate ticket for a lift, a boat or a cave?
Read what a Vietnam package usually includes for the other lines to check, and optional excursions for add-ons. If Hue is on your list, see Hue as a day trip or overnight stop. More cost help sits in Costs and package value.
Send us the sites on your programme and we can help you mark which tickets are likely to be yours to pay, so you know how much dong to carry.
Common questions
Are entrance fees included in a Vietnam package?
It depends on the seller. Some include the main sites on the programme, and others leave all tickets to you. A quote that is silent on tickets is a quote to question. Ask for a list of sites with a clear mark next to each: included, pay yourself or optional.
How do I find out what I will pay on the spot?
Go through the day-by-day plan and list each site. Ask the seller to give an approximate ticket price for each one that is not included. Add those figures to your sheet as unconfirmed, because ticket prices can change.
Do children pay less?
Yes, and prices can depend on age. The Hue Imperial City listing, for example, shows a lower ticket for ages seven to twelve and free entry under seven. Ask the seller how child ages are counted on your tickets before you assume a discount.
What should I carry in cash?
Keep small Vietnamese dong notes for tickets, small fees and tips. Keep a note of the amount you take, and withdraw or exchange more only at banks or authorised counters. Do not carry more than you need for the day.
Sources
- Hue Imperial City ticket for adults and children from age 12 was listed at 200,000 VND, children 7 to 12 at 40,000 VND, under 7 free. HoiAn Day Trip (third-party). Third-party listing, not the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre; page itself says figures may be out of date; check before booking.
- Hue Imperial City hours were listed as 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM (summer/dry season) and 7 AM to 5 PM (winter/rainy season). HoiAn Day Trip (third-party). Third-party; check before visiting.
- Vietnam's currency is the dong, ISO code VND, issued by the State Bank of Vietnam. Wikipedia
- Banknotes in frequent use are 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 dong. Wikipedia
Keep planning
Send us the sites on your programme and we can help you mark which tickets are likely to be yours to pay, so you know how much dong to carry.