As of November 12, 2026, Vietnam is cheaper than Philippines for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $64 in Vietnam against $65 in Philippines, a gap of 0.7%. Over the past year Philippines has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+6.3% after inflation, against −3.5%). Vietnam carries the lower US advisory (Level 1 against Level 2). Vietnam is the easier of the two to travel.
| Measure | Philippines | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $65 | $64 |
| Lean day | $30 | $30 |
| Comfortable day | $148 | $150 |
| Real change, 12 months | +6.3% | −3.5% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +7.9% | −2.6% |
| Versus 5-year average | +14.5% | +6.0% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 1 · Normal precautions |
| Ease of travel | 3.5 · Workable | 4.0 · Well set up |
| Index score | 72 | 72 |
| Best months | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec |
| Shoulder months | May, Nov | May, Sep, Oct |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
The best beaches in Asia, behind the most tiring logistics.
The catchYou will lose days to ferries and delayed flights, typhoon season runs June to November, and parts of Mindanao are off-limits.
A long, thin country that feeds you extraordinarily well for almost nothing.
The catchE-visa required for most passports, traffic is the main physical risk, and the north is cold and gray from December to February.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.