How Much Does Hanoi Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Hanoi remains one of the most affordable capital cities in Southeast Asia, offering incredible value compared to regional hubs like Bangkok or Singapore. Travelers can experience a rich tapestry of French colonial history and vibrant street culture with a solo daily budget ranging from $51 / ₫1,310,769 for backpackers to $297 / ₫7,681,716 for those seeking high-end luxury. While the city is exceptionally cheap for food and transport, costs are driven by a growing specialty coffee scene and boutique hotel market. Even at the mid-range level of approximately $121 / ₫3,139,749 per day, visitors can enjoy historic accommodations and multiple guided excursions. The local economy rewards those who embrace street-side dining and public transit options.
Is Hanoi expensive to visit?
Hanoi is exceptionally budget-friendly — expect to spend between $51 / ₫1,310,769 and $297 / ₫7,681,716 per day depending on whether you prefer street food and hostels or luxury hotels and fine dining.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Hanoi
$51
per person /day
$121
per person /day
$297
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $152 | $364 | $890 |
| 5-Day Trip | $253 | $606 | $1,483 |
| 7-Day Trip | $354 | $849 | $2,076 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to allow for a 15% buffer to cover unexpected Grab platform fees of $0.15 / ₫3,963 per ride and local ATM charges that can reach $2.12 / ₫54,869 per transaction. This extra margin also accounts for occasional price increases at popular sites like the Hoa Lo Prison Museum where night tours cost more than the standard $1.92 / ₫49,687 entry.
How Does It Compare?
See how Hanoi stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Hanoi
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bia Hoi (Fresh Draft Beer) Hanoi's famous daily-brewed fresh beer. Often found for as low as ~$0.97 / ₫24,996. | $0.97 ₫24,996 |
| Traditional Egg Coffee (Cafe Giang) The original egg coffee spot. A must-try specialty in Hanoi (~$1.34 / ₫34,751). | $1.34 ₫34,751 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport Express Bus (Route 86) The most convenient public transport from Noi Bai airport to the Old Quarter (~$1.73 / ₫44,810). | $1.73 ₫44,810 |
| Grab Motorcycle (Short trip) Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app. Bikes are much faster in Hanoi traffic (~$1.15 / ₫29,873). | $1.15 ₫29,873 |
| Metro Line 2A Ticket The standard adult price for a full-length trip on the Cat Linh – Ha Dong line (~$0.58 / ₫14,937). | $0.58 ₫14,937 |
| Fixed-rate Airport Taxi (City to Airport) Fixed rates are often cheaper than using the meter for long airport hauls (~$13 / ₫348,421). | $13 ₫348,421 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed at Little Charm Hanoi Hostel Premium boutique hostel in the Old Quarter. | $5.04 ₫130,467 |
| Mid-range Boutique Hotel (The Legend Hanoi) Highly-rated boutique option in Hoan Kiem. | $91 ₫2,352,068 |
| Luxury 5-Star Hotel (Aurora Oriental) Luxury stay in the heart of the city. | $133 ₫3,447,627 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Temple of Literature Entrance The standard international adult rate. Students with ID pay ~$0.58 / ₫14,937. | $1.15 ₫29,873 |
| Ngoc Son Temple Entry Located on an island in Hoan Kiem Lake (~$1.15 / ₫29,873). | $1.15 ₫29,873 |
| Water Puppet Theatre (VIP Seat) The 200,000 VND ticket provides the best view in the front rows (~$7.69 / ₫199,054). | $7.69 ₫199,054 |
| Hoa Lo Prison Museum Ticket Known as the 'Hanoi Hilton'. Night tours are more expensive (~$1.92 / ₫49,687). | $1.92 ₫49,687 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local SIM Card (Viettel 30-day Plan) Includes roughly 2GB/day of data for 30 days (~$9.6 / ₫248,741). | $9.6 ₫248,741 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The culinary landscape is dominated by affordable street stalls where a fresh Bia Hoi (draft beer) costs just $0.97 / ₫24,996 and a specialty Egg Coffee at the famous Cafe Giang is only $1.34 / ₫34,751. High-quality meals at popular spots like Banh Mi 25 or Bun Cha Huong Lien provide filling experiences for a fraction of the cost of western-style cafes. For a more refined evening, fine dining at Duong's Restaurant offers a sophisticated take on Vietnamese flavors at a significant discount compared to European prices.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Banh Mi 25
$1.15–$1.73 / ₫29,873–₫44,810Old Quarter · Street food area
Grab a seat in their across-the-street cafe to eat with an egg coffee for ~$1.34 / ₫34,751.
Bun Cha Huong Lien (Obama Bun Cha)
$2.31–$4.61 / ₫59,747–₫119,493Hai Ba Trung · Local chain
The 'Obama Combo' includes bun cha, a seafood spring roll, and a beer for ~$4.23 / ₫109,434.
Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan
$2.12–$2.88 / ₫54,869–₫74,683Old Quarter · Local chain
Expect long queues; this is one of the most famous Pho spots in the city.
Xoi Yen
$1.54–$2.7 / ₫39,933–₫69,806Old Quarter · Street food area
Try the 'Xoi Thap Cam' for a mix of all toppings for ~$2.5 / ₫64,624.
Pho Cuon Huong Mai
$2.7–$3.85 / ₫69,806–₫99,679Truc Bach · Local chain
A lighter alternative to soup, these rolled noodles are a local lake-side favorite.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is highly economical, especially using the Grab app where a motorcycle taxi for short trips costs around $1.15 / ₫29,873. The city's modern infrastructure includes the Metro Line 2A, which offers full-length trips for just $0.58 / ₫14,937, while the Route 86 Airport Express Bus provides a reliable connection to the Old Quarter for $1.73 / ₫44,810.
Accommodation Overview
Hanoi offers a diverse range of lodging, from premium boutique hostels like Little Charm in the Old Quarter for $5.04 / ₫130,467 per night to mid-range stays at The Legend Hanoi for $91 / ₫2,352,068. For those seeking opulence, 5-star properties such as the Aurora Oriental provide luxury for approximately $133 / ₫3,447,627, offering significant savings compared to similar tier hotels in Western capitals.
Accommodation Budget in Hanoi
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Drink Bia Hoi at street corners in the Old Quarter, where fresh daily brews cost as little as $0.97 / ₫24,996.
- 2 Take the Route 86 orange bus from Noi Bai Airport to the city center for $1.73 / ₫44,810 instead of a private taxi.
- 3 Bring a valid student ID to the Temple of Literature to reduce the entrance fee to $0.58 / ₫14,937.
- 4 Use TPBank or VPBank ATMs to avoid the local withdrawal fees that other banks charge, which can range from $0.77–$2.12 / ₫19,814–₫54,869.
- 5 Eat at Xoi Yen for a filling, budget-friendly meal of sticky rice that serves as a staple for locals and travelers alike.
- 6 Download the Grab app to avoid negotiating with street taxis; a short bike ride is only $1.15 / ₫29,873 and prices are transparent.
- 7 Book Halong Bay or Ninh Binh day trips through hostels or local agencies in the Old Quarter rather than booking online in advance for better rates.
- 8 Visit WinMart or local convenience stores for large water bottles to avoid the inflated prices at tourist-facing kiosks near Hoan Kiem Lake.
- 9 Walk the Hoan Kiem Walking Street on weekend nights when it is closed to vehicles, providing free entertainment and a festive atmosphere.
- 10 Opt for a local SIM card from Viettel for $9.6 / ₫248,741, which provides 30 days of data and helps avoid expensive roaming charges.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr
+20-30%
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
-30-40%
Sep, Dec
Peak season offers cool, dry weather (18–25°C / 64–77°F). Summer is rainy and extremely humid, leading to major hotel discounts of ~$18–$35 / ₫457,245–₫914,490 per night.
Events to Watch
- ● Tet Lunar New Year (late Jan/early Feb): Hotels +100%, many shops closed
- ● Independence Day (Sept 2): High local travel volume
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Pay respects at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior viewing and entry to the grounds are free, though security is strict).
- 2 Stroll around the perimeter of Hoan Kiem Lake, especially during the early morning to see locals practicing Tai Chi.
- 3 Visit the historic St. Joseph’s Cathedral in the French Quarter to admire its neo-Gothic architecture.
- 4 Walk across the 120-year-old Long Bien Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel, for views of the Red River.
- 5 Explore the bustling aisles of Dong Xuan Market to experience the local wholesale trade without any entry fee.
- 6 View the wreckage of a B-52 bomber at Huu Tiep Lake in the Ngoc Ha neighborhood.
- 7 Visit the Bach Ma Temple, the oldest temple in the Old Quarter, dedicated to the city's guardian spirit.
- 8 Explore the narrow alleys of the Old Quarter on foot to see traditional craft streets and ancient 'tube houses'.
- 9 Walk through the grounds of the Presidential Palace (viewable from the outside near the Ba Dinh Square).
- 10 Visit the Japanese Bridge and the ceramics mosaic wall that runs along the dike road near the Red River.
- 11 Walk the shores of West Lake (Tay Ho) to see the Tran Quoc Pagoda from the causeway.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Luxury Day Cruise in Halong Bay
Higher-end boats offer buffet lunches, better kayaks, and private transfers (~$96 / ₫2,488,632).
Quintessence of Tonkin Show (Platinum)
A massive outdoor spectacle on water featuring hundreds of performers (~$46 / ₫1,194,629).
Fine Dining at Duong's Restaurant
Excellent Vietnamese-French fusion by a Top Chef contestant (~$33 / ₫846,208).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Hanoi
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Hanoi and what they cost
Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu & Tam Coc)
$12 / ₫298,733 by bus
$9.6 / ₫248,741
$42 / ₫1,094,949
Sapa (One Way Express Bus)
$17 / ₫452,977 by bus
Free
$58 / ₫1,493,057
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Vietnamese Dong (VND)
1 $ ≈ 25,899 ₫
Yes
Cards are accepted in hotels, malls, and mid-range restaurants, but cash is mandatory for street food, markets, and small cafes.
Tipping is not traditional but appreciated. Round up for taxis or leave ~$0.94–$1.88 / ₫24,386–₫48,773 for tour guides and spa staff.
Use ATMs attached to banks for safety. VPBank and TPBank typically do not charge fees for foreign cards, saving you ~$1.77 / ₫45,725 per withdrawal.
Expected in markets like Dong Xuan. Start at 50% of the asking price and settle around 60-70%. Never bargain for food or in convenience stores.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$12 (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $9.42–$14 / ₫243,864–₫365,796 at airport for 60GB/month
WiFi: Excellent in cafes and hotels; nearly every small coffee shop offers it for free.
Buy a local Viettel SIM at the airport for the best 5G coverage outside the city, or use Airalo for a quick 3-day data fix.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Hanoi.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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