Daily costs per person in VND (₫). Hanoi is one of the cheapest capital cities in the world — extraordinary food and culture for almost nothing.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: VND (₫ Dong) (1 USD ≈ ₫25,400)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₫120,000–300,000 | ₫500,000–1,200,000 | ₫2,500,000+ | Hostels → boutique Old Quarter → luxury colonial |
| Food | ₫80,000–150,000 | ₫250,000–500,000 | ₫1,000,000+ | Street food → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | ₫30,000–60,000 | ₫80,000–200,000 | ₫400,000+ | GrabBike & bus → GrabCar → private driver |
| Activities | ₫30,000–150,000 | ₫200,000–600,000 | ₫1,500,000+ | Temples & walks → museums & cooking → Ha Long Bay |
| Drinks | ₫15,000–40,000 | ₫80,000–200,000 | ₫400,000+ | Bia hơi & egg coffee → craft bars → rooftop cocktails |
| Daily Total | ₫275,000–700,000 | ₫1,110,000–2,700,000 | ₫5,800,000+ | $11–28 → $44–106 → $228+ |
Money-saving tips
Street food is sacred
Phở: ₫40,000–60,000. Bún chả: ₫40,000–50,000. Bánh mì: ₫20,000–25,000. Egg coffee: ₫35,000. Three meals and coffee cost ₫120,000–180,000 ($5–7). Hanoi may have the cheapest excellent food on earth.
Bia hơi is ₫7,000
Fresh draft beer at street corners costs ₫5,000–10,000 — roughly 20–40 cents. The most social and cheapest drinking experience in the world. Bia Hơi Corner at Tạ Hiện junction is the most famous spot.
Grab is essential
GrabBike: ₫10,000–30,000 per ride. GrabCar: ₫40,000–100,000 across the city. Always cheaper and safer than negotiating with motorbike taxis. Download before you arrive.
Free attractions
Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the Old Quarter walking, all pagodas and temples (most are free), Long Biên Bridge, weekend night markets, and the daily street life spectacle — Hanoi's best experiences cost nothing.
Bus to Ninh Bình
Organized tours charge ₫500,000–800,000 for a Ninh Bình day trip. The public bus from Giáp Bát station costs ₫80,000 each way (2 hours) — arrange your own boat and bike rental for half the tour price.
Negotiate and smile
Old Quarter shops and market vendors markup 2–3x for tourists. Start at 40% of the asking price. Always smile — Vietnamese culture values friendliness and aggression will get you nowhere.
