{"id":10151,"date":"2019-10-07T15:02:33","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T19:02:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/?p=10151"},"modified":"2020-08-20T10:38:40","modified_gmt":"2020-08-20T14:38:40","slug":"8-cheap-things-to-do-in-hanoi-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/8-cheap-things-to-do-in-hanoi-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Cheap Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, and also one of the most backpacker-friendly destinations in Asia. The unique cuisine, architectures, history, people and of course, the price have kept travelers coming back wanting for more. And today, we\u2019re going to look deeper into Hanoi and find out 8 cheap things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traveling in Vietnam is very comfortable for backpackers\nwith a tight budget, like me. You can rest assured that as long as you\u2019re not\ntoo reckless, you\u2019re not likely to get scammed. Almost everything there is\naffordable and there\u2019s not a lot of emotional rollercoasters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, Hanoi is generally safe for solo travelers. Tourism has been playing a big role in Vietnam since the past decades. But still, it\u2019s your job to be careful of your own belongings. I\u2019m pretty sure you\u2019ll find this <a href=\"https:\/\/wanderingjournal.com\/backpacking-vietnam-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Vietnam backpacking guide<\/a> useful, which includes all things to do, safety tips, things to expect and everything you need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without further due, let\u2019s dive into the main topic, and see\nthese 8 cheap things you can do in Hanoi, Vietnam. US$1 is approximately VND\n20,000 at the time of writing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dining in Hanoi Old Quarter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hanoi&#8217;s Old Quarter is home to a wide variety of Vietnamese street foods. No, I\u2019m not talking about all the fancy restaurants located at the main part of the Old Quarter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"638\" src=\"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vietnam-Hanoi-Pho-with-Chicken-Slices-and-Herbs-850x638.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vietnam-Hanoi-Pho-with-Chicken-Slices-and-Herbs-850x638.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vietnam-Hanoi-Pho-with-Chicken-Slices-and-Herbs-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vietnam-Hanoi-Pho-with-Chicken-Slices-and-Herbs-1920x1440.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vietnam-Hanoi-Pho-with-Chicken-Slices-and-Herbs-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vietnam-Hanoi-Pho-with-Chicken-Slices-and-Herbs.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><figcaption>Pho, a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since Hanoi&#8217;s Old Quarter is the best place to stay in Hanoi, as it\u2019s close to most of the attractions, and it\u2019s best to make Old Quarter as your \u201cbase of operation\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the early morning, head down to the Old Quarter and you\u2019ll find plenty of local restaurants or stalls with plenty of customers. While you might be confused about which restaurant to pick, my advice is going to the one with crowds of locals. You\u2019ll never go wrong there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While you\u2019re walking in the street, you might also be\napproached by vendors on a bicycle selling snacks. Feel free to support them by\nbuying some. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gyg-iframe-container\" style=\"margin-bottom:1.5em\" class=\"wp-block-cgb-block-gyg-wp-plugin\"><iframe style=\"border:0;height:100%;width:100%\" title=\"GetYourGuide activites widget\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.getyourguide.com\/default\/activites.frame?widget=activites&amp;cpm=HanoiPost&amp;currency=USD&amp;locale_code=en-US&amp;number_of_items=3&amp;partner_id=1E378FN&amp;q=hanoi\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, Hanoi&#8217;s Old Quarter is perfect for a morning walk. It&#8217;s definitely one of the best things to do in Hanoi for your first day because you get to see the way of life of the Vietnamese people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now let\u2019s talk about the prices of the dishes. If you dine in some random local restaurants, for example, and grab yourself a Chicken Pho. It will cost around VND 20,000 to VND 30,000. Most of the dishes in the Old Quarter cost roughly the same, within the range of above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it\u2019s highly recommended that you at least learn how to\nsay chicken, beef, pork or vegetarian in the Vietnamese language to make\ncommunication easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Walking Around Hoan Kiem Lake<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Temple-of-the-Jade-Mountain-in-Hoan-Kiem-Lake.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Temple-of-the-Jade-Mountain-in-Hoan-Kiem-Lake.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Temple-of-the-Jade-Mountain-in-Hoan-Kiem-Lake-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Temple-of-the-Jade-Mountain-in-Hoan-Kiem-Lake-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Temple of the Jade Mountain in Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hoan Kiem Lake is the pride of Hanoi city, and one of the\nmost happening places in Hanoi. The temple in the middle of the lake, Temple of\nthe Jade Mountain has been around for more than a century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s probably also the most photographed location in Hanoi.\nSo, what makes it so special anyway?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every weekend, the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake will be\nsealed, prohibiting entry of all cars. That transformed the area into a huge\nsquare where locals come to spend their evening. You\u2019ll see people playing\nguitars, badminton, skating, or just chatting around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll also see street performances, and vendors selling\ntheir artwork. You could easily spend a few hours here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Hoan-Kiem-Lake-on-Weekend-Evening.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Hoan-Kiem-Lake-on-Weekend-Evening.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Hoan-Kiem-Lake-on-Weekend-Evening-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Hoan-Kiem-Lake-on-Weekend-Evening-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Hanoi Hoan Kiem Lake on Weekend Evening<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With as little as 30,000 VND, you can pay a visit to Temple\nof the Jade Mountain. Inside, you\u2019ll find a preserved carcass of a giant turtle\nin a sealed glass chamber. There\u2019s a legend behind the turtle, which eventually\ngave the name to this lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re visiting Vietnam, the first person you should know\nis Ho Chi Minh, the Vietnamese Revolutionary Leader. Often regarded as Uncle\nHo, he\u2019s very well-respected throughout the whole country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019m not going to give you a history class now, but I personally\nthink that the Vietnam War is one of the most interesting modern histories in\nAsia. It\u2019s definitely worth checking out, there are plenty of YouTube videos on\nthis topic, as well as books. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no entrance fee required for visiting this attraction.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To get the best out of it, visit in the early morning before\nthe arrival of tour buses. The square is often flocked by huge crowds of\ntourists unless you\u2019re visiting early. You might need to queue up to take a\nphoto of the mausoleum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Walking from Hanoi Old Quarter to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum\ntakes around 40 minutes. If you don\u2019t feel like walking, feel free to take the\ncab there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Try Out the Egg Coffee in Giang Caf\u00e9<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vietnamese-Egg-Coffee-at-Giang-Cafe.jpg\" alt=\"Vietnamese Egg Coffee at Giang Cafe\" class=\"wp-image-10157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vietnamese-Egg-Coffee-at-Giang-Cafe.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vietnamese-Egg-Coffee-at-Giang-Cafe-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Vietnamese-Egg-Coffee-at-Giang-Cafe-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Vietnamese Egg Coffee at Giang Cafe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This might be something new for most travelers. But it\u2019s not\nlike what you imagined, with a raw egg in the middle of black coffee, or\nanything else. Well, at least that was my case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the war period, when milk is not easily available\nthroughout the country, the Vietnamese people innovated a little and\nsubstituted the milk with egg yolk. And it tasted way better than you could\nimagine, with the intense aroma of Vietnamese coffee with a smooth, creamy\ntexture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best place to try out egg coffee is at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Giang Caf\u00e9 (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.giangcafehanoi.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Giang Caf\u00e9<\/a>, which is a small local caf\u00e9 in Hanoi&#8217;s Old Quarter. It was crowded most of the time especially in the morning, so you might have to queue up a bit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It would be great if you know some basic Vietnamese terms\nbecause the friendly boss does not speak English. The waiters might be able to\nhelp you with English though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each egg coffee costs VND 25,000. Not so cheap, but\ndefinitely worth a try. (Or a few tries, because why not?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shopping in Dong Xuan Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Built back in 1889, and having undergone multiple times of\nrenovation, Dong Xuan Market is the oldest market in Hanoi city. Despite its\nage, the market still welcomes hundreds of locals every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inside Dong Xuan Market, you\u2019ll be able to find a wide\nvariety of vegetables, groceries, clothes, everyday appliances, tools, and\nwhatever you could think of. And of course, Vietnamese food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do yourself a favor and grab yourself some local Vietnamese\ndishes for breakfast before walking around in the market. The prices of foods\nthere are slightly cheaper than those you find in Hanoi Old Quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ride a Motorcycle Around Hanoi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vietnam has a total population of 95.54 million, and 8\nmillion of them inhabited in Hanoi. That makes Hanoi a huge city, which is\nalmost impossible to explore every corner if you were to use your feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Renting a motorcycle in Hanoi can be effortless, as it\u2019s not\nreally that hard to find motorcycle rental shops, especially if you\u2019re living\nin Hanoi Old Quarter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Chaotic-Traffic.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Chaotic-Traffic.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Chaotic-Traffic-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Hanoi-Chaotic-Traffic-600x450.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Hanoi&#8217;s Chaotic Traffic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve never tried riding a motorcycle, I wouldn\u2019t\nrecommend doing it for your first time in Hanoi. The traffic there is chaotic\nand might be dangerous if you\u2019re new to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But if you\u2019re going to do it, here are a few things you\nshould know. First, your passport will be kept as a deposit by the motorcycle\nrental shop. Your helmets will be provided at no extra charge, but the quality\nis often not as good. And lastly, you have to pay for your own gas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Police in Vietnam never bother to check foreigners, so it\u2019s\nnot really necessary to have an international driving license. I would\nrecommend having it though, just in case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Renting a motorcycle in Hanoi costs around VND 100,000 ($5)\nfor the whole day. One last tip, never rent a motorcycle from the locals,\nalways rent it from a proper rental shop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Visiting the Perfume Pagoda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now time to shine the spotlight on the Perfume Pagoda, which\nis located 60 km outside of Hanoi city. Located in the Huong Son Mountain\nrange, the pagoda was built in the 15<sup>th<\/sup> century, making it one of\nthe oldest pagodas in Vietnam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gyg-iframe-container\" style=\"margin-bottom:1.5em\" class=\"wp-block-cgb-block-gyg-wp-plugin\"><iframe style=\"border:0;height:100%;width:100%\" title=\"GetYourGuide activites widget\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.getyourguide.com\/default\/activites.frame?widget=activites&amp;cpm=HanoiPost&amp;currency=USD&amp;locale_code=en-US&amp;number_of_items=2&amp;partner_id=1E378FN&amp;q=perfume%20pagoda\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The one thing that most visitors do is praying for their\nwishes to be granted. The stalactites and stalagmites in the cave were named\naccording to the blessings they can bestow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What can you find inside the cave? To name a few, Lord\nBuddha statue and the Buddhist Goddess, Quan Am statue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The perfume pagoda gets really crowded and busy from January\nto April thanks to the Chua Huong Festival. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The entrance fee to Perfume Pagoda is VND 78,000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Appreciate the Architecture in St Joseph\u2019s Cathedral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Somewhere around the Hoan Kiem District lies a historic church. Surviving over more than a century, the church is still standing strong, welcoming visitors every day. Yup, I\u2019m talking about <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/St._Joseph%27s_Cathedral,_Hanoi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"St Joseph\u2019s Cathedral (opens in a new tab)\">St Joseph\u2019s Cathedral<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Built in\n1886, St Joseph\u2019s Cathedral is one of the earliest structures built by the\nFrench colonial government in Indochina. That makes it the oldest church in\nHanoi city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main\ngate of the cathedral only opens when the mass is conducted. So you\u2019ll most\nlikely be using the side doors. There is a complex main altar inside the\nbuilding, fitted with stained-glass windows. Also, the structure features two\nsquare-shaped towers, some say structures resemble Notre Dame in Paris. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The church\nis also surrounded by various cafes, making it a perfect stop before your\nlunch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do pay\nattention to the opening and closing hours before your visit. And note that\nthere will be lunch breaks every day so plan your visit accordingly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The\nentrance is free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Happy Travels<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here you go, 8 cheap things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam. Enjoy your time in this amazing country!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, and also one of the most backpacker-friendly destinations in Asia. The unique cuisine, architectures, history, people and of course, the price have kept travelers coming back wanting for more. And today, we\u2019re going to look deeper into Hanoi and find out 8 cheap things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":10156,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_type":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1229],"tags":[96],"class_list":["post-10151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-southeast-asia","tag-vietnam","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-20 22:57:59","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10151"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10493,"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10151\/revisions\/10493"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.budgetyourtrip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}