Tourists pose for a photo in the middle of a railway track passing through an old residential district in central Hanoi on October 20. NHAC NGUYEN/AFP
VIETNAM is listed among nine countries where the US dollar is strongest this year, according to a report from Smart Travel.
According to the 2019 Backpacker Index of Smart Travel, a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are named as the top two most affordable cities to travel to this year while Hoi An also makes the top ten.
“For less than $20 per day, travellers to Vietnam can pay for budget accommodation [hostels], meals, some entertainment and public transportation. Mid-range accommodation also tends to be affordable,” Smart Travel says.
While the exchange rate is predicted to increase slightly in Vietnam this year, the Big Mac Index suggests the dollar will remain very strong in Vietnam this year.
According to Smart Travel, choosing a destination can be a difficult decision when you’re looking to maximise your travel budget. By choosing a destination with a favourable exchange rate and strong US dollar, you can make the most of every penny spent this year.
Besides Vietnam, Smart Travel also suggests travellers looking to stretch the dollar this year should consider Latin America and parts of Africa and Asia. Projected prices for Latin America and Africa are expected to decrease by two per cent for air travel and about 1.4 per cent for hotel this year, according to the Global Travel Forecast.
“Whether you’re on a tight budget or looking for luxury without the high price tag, these undervalued currencies and decreasing foreign exchange rates should be on your radar,” Smart Travel says. VIET NAM NEWS/ANN
