Hà Nội, HCM City and Hội An City are become a Việt Nam’s tourist hotpots, which are among most affordable in the world for backpackers.  — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Hà Nội, HCM City and Hội An are becoming Việt Nam’s tourist hotpots and are among the most affordable in the world for backpackers.

The cities are high on the top 10 list of cheapest places for travel in the 2019 Backpacker Index by Price of Travel, the world’s largest database of travel costs.

At the top of the list is Hà Nội, with just $18.29 needed a day for backpackers, followed by HCM City with $19.47.

Price of Travel ranked 137 major cities in the world based on the minimum amount of money budget travelers would need to spend a night in the cheapest bunk bed, two public transport rides, and entrance fee to one top attraction, and three simple meals and beer.

The ancient town of Hội An in the central province of Qủang Nam ranked eighth on the list with a daily budget of $21.20.

Price of Travel ranked 137 major cities in the world based on the minimum amount of money budget travelers would need to spend a night in the cheapest bunk bed, two public transport rides, and entrance fee to one top attraction, and three simple meals and beer.

Việt Nam recently added 35 countries to the list of those whose nationals can visit the country with an e-visa.

With new changes to the visa policies, Việt Nam’s tourism industry hopes to welcome 17-20 million foreign visitors by 2020, earning revenue of $35 billion a year and contributing 10 percent to the country’s GDP. — VNS