Vietnam has been named among nine countries where the US dollar is the strongest in 2019, according to a list released by Smarter Travel, a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam

The 2019 Backpacker Index lists Hanoi and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in Vietnam as the top two most affordable cities to travel to in 2019. Hoi An, Vietnam, also makes to the top 10. For less than US$20 per day, travelers to Vietnam can pay for budget accommodations (hostels), meals, some entertainment, and public transportation.

Mid-range accommodations also tend to be affordable. While the exchange rate is predicted to increase slightly in Vietnam this year, the Big Mac Index undervalues it by 49.8%, suggesting the dollar will remain very strong in Vietnam in 2019.

Argentina tops the list, followed by Egypt, Mexico, Vietnam, Peru, Costa Rica, Canada, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic.

Earlier, Vietnam has been named among five of the cheapest places in the world to live in 2019, according to a list released by International Living, a monthly newsletter covering lifestyle topics.

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most popular tourist and retiree destinations. With its tropical climate, mouth-watering food, and bewildering range of shopping delights, the region melds together big-city buzz with the charm of small historic towns, and low-key beach life.

Esther and Lloyd Bedik, two St. Louis, Missouri natives, live in Da Nang, the largest city in Central Vietnam. The Bediks rent a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the gorgeous Han River, which runs right through the city.

“Our apartment is about 1,200 square feet, and it came fully furnished, even with a built-in oven, which is quite unusual for Vietnam,” International Living wrote.

The best thing is the view of the riverfront from the balcony and from our bedroom. They could live much less expensively, but the view made me feel like I had to have this apartment.

“Our rent is US$800 per month, and it includes parking, as well as use of the pool and gym. It would be way more than we could afford in the States. In St. Louis, we’d be paying around US$2,200 per month for a comparable apartment with a view of the Mississippi,” the author wrote.

Hanoitimes