Indian man becomes Reddit sensation by spending $2,200 on 11-day trip in Vietnam, including a MacBook purchase

The man, who goes by username "Shuict", said the 11-day trip, including air tickets, accommodation, food, activities, and a brand new MacBook, cost him 208,117 rupees. After receiving value-added tax (VAT) refund for the MacBook at the airport, his total expense dropped to around 197,000 rupees ($2,246).

He detailed how he booked the cheapest round-trip flights to Hanoi, where he worked remotely while exploring the capital city and nearby localities.

Quan Chuong Gate to the east of Hanoi. Photo by Kieu Duong

Among the expenses of his trip are flight tickets for 19,000 rupees, an e-visa for 2,210 rupees, a visit to Ha Long Bay for 5,500 rupees, a trip to Ninh Binh for 4,500 rupees, accommodation for 11 nights at 4,000 rupees, and food and extra expenses totaling 5,000 rupees.

He recommends people take advantage of the transport services in Vietnam, which is "super cheap and reliable."

"Google Maps + their local apps are just too good. Just show the conductor your destination," he wrote in the post on July 30.

He gave specific advice on the MacBook purchase, how he capitalized on Vietnam's lower Apple prices and its tourist-friendly VAT refund system.

"Always ask, ‘Do you provide VAT refund documents for the airport?’ Some stores won't," he notes.

The MacBook Pro 14 that he bought would have cost 185,000 rupees in India. But by purchasing one from a store offering VAT documents in Hanoi and claiming the tax refund at the airport, he paid around 148,500, saving 36,500 rupees.

Subtracting the cost of the MacBook, his 11-night trip to Vietnam cost just 49,000 rupees ($560).

As the post went viral and received thousands of upvotes, social media users praised the tips, with many expressing plans to take similar trips.

"Insightful. This is the kind of posts I am using Reddit for. Planning to buy the upcoming iPhone, with a trip to Dubai or Vietnam," said one user.

Another commented: "Dude that's crazy. To the very details you provide, it sounds doable."

A third user said they have done the same thing around 2 months ago, going to Vietnam to buy a MacBook, and Apple TV and an iPhone 16.