A street meal and a beer in Viet Nam can cost the same as a coffee from Starbucks, travel writers say.

Foreign tourists enjoy food and drinks at small open-air restaurants in the ancient quarter of Ha Noi. (Photo by AFP)

Forbes has interviewed 14 travel experts who make it their business to keep track of the best bargains around the world to make a list of the most affordable destinations to visit in 2017, and Viet Nam is ranked as one of cheapest places this year.

In 2015, the U.S. magazine also listed the Southeast Asian country amongst the 10 coolest places to visit.

The country stands out as a low-cost travel destination in South Asia for affordable luxury resorts, healthy food at cheap prices and beautiful sights.

'Eat your way through historic Ha Noi, kayak in the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay or relax in ancient Hoi An and the nearby beaches', said Marybeth Bond, National Geographic writer, who has firsthand knowledge of the destinations.

In Ha Noi, for just 20 USD, travelers can go on a city tour with a tour guide on foot or by scooter, according to Forbes travel experts.

Affordable accommodation also makes Ha Noi as a budget-friendly city where tourists can book a room for less than 70 USD per night.

Ha Noi has repeatedly entered lists of best-value destinations. The city has been named the cheapest travel destination by TripAdvisor for the past three years.

Budget tourism site Price of Travel also recommended it as the 3^rd cheapest tourist spot in Asia for 2017, with daily expenses for a backpacker estimated at 18.16 USD.

Visitors to Viet Nam are advised to learn the names and ingredients in the dishes because there is a very high chance that they will want to order them again, said Bond.

Food is serious business in the country where a street meal and a beer can cost the same as a caramel macchiato at Starbucks.

With the help of a local tour guide, travelers will be taken on an adventure to taste a variety of street food such as 'banh mi' (Vietnamese baguette) and 'pho'  (beef noodle soup).

Forbes travel experts said foreign travelers should download a handy app for languages to pronounce correctly Viet Nam’s national dish 'pho'.

'Be sure to take time to sip a bowl of steaming pho noodle soup', she said.

(Source: VNExpress International)