When a 21-year-old German backpacker got rejected from a scholarship for their dream postgraduate program, they made a decision that thousands of young travelers face each year: turn disappointment into adventure, and use unexpected free time to finally leave Europe.
"I have a desperate need to go away for a few weeks and make the best of the free time I'll have all summer," they wrote. But the question remains: Vietnam or Japan?
The Budget Dilemma
With solo travel experience (one month interrailing through Europe at 18, various domestic trips, solo Paris) but no experience outside Europe, the traveler is weighing two drastically different budget realities:
Vietnam: Budget backpacker paradise<br> • Accommodation: $5-15/night in hostels<br> • Food: $1-3 for street food, $5-8 for restaurant meals<br> • Transportation: Overnight buses $10-20, domestic flights $20-50<br> • Daily budget: $25-40 easily sustainable<br> • Visa: Free or simple on-arrival for most Europeans
Japan: Expensive but efficient<br> • Accommodation: $25-50/night for hostel dorms in cities<br> • Food: $8-15 for meals (convenience stores help budget)<br> • Transportation: JR Pass ~$280 for 7 days; local trains add up<br> • Daily budget: $75-100+ required<br> • Visa: Typically free for Germans, but costs accumulate fast
The "How Backpack-Friendly" Question
"I would absolutely love to go to Japan. How backpack-friendly are places like Tokyo?" they asked.
Short answer: Japan is backpacker-friendly in infrastructure (excellent hostels, clear signage, safe) but budget-challenging in cost structure. Tokyo has a robust hostel scene, but the city's scale means transportation costs add up.
Vietnam's Budget Magic
"I've read a lot about Vietnam, and I can definitely see myself going there," the traveler noted.
Vietnam offers the classic Southeast Asia backpacker experience:
• Hostel social scene: Easy to meet other travelers<br> • Established backpacker trail: Hanoi → Ha Long Bay → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City<br> • Adventure activities: Motorbiking Ha Giang Loop, trekking Sapa, cave tours in Phong Nha<br> • Beach escapes: Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Nha Trang<br> • Food culture: World-class cuisine at street-stall prices
Multi-Country Possibility
"But if I already go to a different continent, I definitely want to visit multiple countries," they explained.
This is where Southeast Asia shines. With "a couple of weeks," a budget traveler could reasonably cover:
• Vietnam (2 weeks) → Cambodia (1 week) → Thailand (1 week)<br> • Or: Vietnam north-to-south (3-4 weeks) with depth
By contrast, Japan deserves dedicated time. Trying to squeeze in South Korea or Taiwan would mean expensive inter-country flights and less depth.
The Recommendation
For a 21-year-old with: • Budget constraints (implied by "budget-friendly" question)<br> • Multi-country interest<br> • Limited Asia experience<br> • Several weeks available
Vietnam wins for this particular trip.
Japan should wait for when the traveler has: • Higher budget (post-degree employment)<br> • 10-14+ days minimum to do it justice<br> • Willingness to focus on one country deeply
The Bigger Picture
This isn't about which country is "better." It's about matching destination to circumstances.
Vietnam at 21 on a shoestring budget is transformative. Japan at 25 with savings and career clarity is equally powerful—but different.
The traveler ended with: "I'd appreciate any input and advice regarding budget and destinations."
Here's the advice: Go to Vietnam now. Make Japan your reward after landing the next scholarship or first post-degree job. Both deserve your attention—just at different life stages.
The best travel isn't about the destination—it's about what you learn along the way. At 21, you learn that sometimes the right trip isn't your dream destination, but the one that matches your current reality.
