| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation per night | dorm 120,000 to 200,000 VND; $8 to $12 in the Old Quarter according to one guide | hotel $50 to $110 a night for two (see where to stay) |
| Meals | street meal 25,000 to 50,000 VND (phở, bánh mì, bún chả) | restaurants at 100,000 to 250,000 VND a meal |
| Transport | local buses, Grab for short rides ($1 to $3) | Grab or taxi for most trips |
| Total per day | about $25 to $40 | about $60 to $100 |
What meals and drinks cost
A street meal (phở, bánh mì, com tam, bún chả) costs 25,000 to 50,000 VND, or $1 to $2, according to one guide. A bowl of phở on a very touristy street rises to 60,000 to 95,000 VND ($2.50 to $4). Allow 100,000 to 200,000 VND ($4 to $8) a day for water, coffee and snacks. To eat well without mistakes, follow a guided food tour.
Transport
Short Grab rides in the Old Quarter generally cost $1 to $3 according to a 2025 guide. The app shows the price before you go: it is the simplest way to avoid disputes. From the airport, see from the airport to central Hanoi.
Sights: many are almost free
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: free (see hours and dress code).
- Weekend pedestrian streets and Hoan Kiem Lake: free (pedestrian streets).
- Thang Long Citadel: 100,000 VND (ticket and hours).
- Military History Museum: 40,000 VND, at a new site 15 km from the centre (details).
- Ngoc Son Temple: about 30,000 to 50,000 VND according to sources.
Tours: the real expense
Seen in October 2026: a day cruise in Ha Long Bay about $23 to $75; a 2-day Sapa trek (transport excluded) about $63 to $105; the Ha Giang loop with an "easy rider" about $170 to $220; the Fansipan cable car about 800,000 to 850,000 VND. Compare offers before booking: see the day cruise, the Sapa trek and the Ha Giang loop.
How to save
- Travel outside Tet and long weekends: room prices rise, dorm beds double during Tet according to one guide. See the best time to visit Hanoi.
- Eat where locals eat: side streets cost less than tourist streets.
- Fix the price before you get in or eat, and use the ride-hailing app.
- Bargain politely in markets, but not for meals or rides with a posted fare.
- Book ahead in high season: good hotels and tours go fast.
Going further
Continue with where to stay in Hanoi, Hanoi in 2 days and the weekend night market.
FAQ
What budget per day for Hanoi? About $25 to $40 on a tight budget and $60 to $100 mid-range, excluding tours.
Is Hanoi expensive? No: street meals, buses and many sights cost little; it is accommodation and tours that weigh.
Do you need to pay in dong? Yes, especially in the street and in markets: keep small notes. The amounts quoted here are in Vietnamese dong (VND).
When do prices rise? At Tet, during the holidays at the end of April and on 2 September, and in high season for hotels.
