I'm a Vietnam Veteran. I've been back to Vietnam 5 times in the last 5 years. $20 - $25 a day per person will easily get you by in family run tourist hotels. Less if you shop. Your biggest expense will be transportation to Vietnam. Plan for the low season. (Cooler temperaturewise also) Oct to Dec. Not including the Christmas rush! $1000 round trip fares can be had from Los Angeles in Nov. to Saigon. Flights from Saigon to Danang are about $75 one way.

Tourist buses are cheap. An open tour bus fare from Hanoi to Saigon is about $30.00/ you jump off and on when ever you like at their scheduled stops. Trains are good, too.

You need a visa and a pass port good for 6 months to get into Vietnam.

I took 4 people with me in '05 on a "tag-along tour". 2 weeks - Hanoi to Saigon. Souvenirs and custom made clothes were the biggest expense after airfare. I didn't charge and they didn't complain.

I'm headed back this Oct.

Contact me here or through my website:
http://www.yourvietnamtourguide.com/contactme.html
if you have any questions.

Good Luck!

Dwight Z.