How much does it cost to travel to Hanoi?
You should plan to spend around $49 (d1,215,118) per day on your vacation in Hanoi. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $13 (d331,977) on meals
- $7.00 (d172,553) on local transportation
- $51 (d1,254,792) on hotels
A one week trip to Hanoi for two people costs, on average, $690 (d17,011,646). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Hanoi has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Hanoi expensive to visit?
Hanoi is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Vietnam, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Asia, Hanoi is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Luang Prabang, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Taipei.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Hanoi Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Hanoi?
The average Hanoi trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Hanoi travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
d1,254,792
($51)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
d172,553
($7)
|
Food 2
|
d331,977
($13)
|
Entertainment 1
|
d213,024
($9)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
d99,098 -
297,295
($4 - 12)
|
Alcohol 2
|
d96,341 -
289,024
($4 - 12)
|
Accommodation Budget in Hanoi
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Hanoi is $25 (d627,396). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Hanoi is $51 (d1,254,792). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Hanoi? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Hanoi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Hanoi is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $7.00 (d172,553) per person, per day, on local transportation in Hanoi.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$7.00
d172,553
How much does it cost to go to Hanoi? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Hanoi will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Hanoi are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Hanoi, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Hanoi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Hanoi can vary, the average cost of food in Hanoi is $13 (d331,977) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Hanoi should cost around $5.39 (d132,791) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Hanoi is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$13
d331,977
Typical prices for Food in Hanoi are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Hanoi, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Entertainment Budget in Hanoi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Hanoi typically cost an average of $8.64 (d213,024) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$8.64
d213,024
Typical prices for Entertainment in Hanoi are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Hanoi, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Hanoi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Hanoi is $8.04 (d198,197) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Hanoi is 5% - 15%.
-
Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
$8.04
d198,197
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Hanoi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Hanoi is $15 (d358,311), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$15
d358,311
Alcohol Budget in Hanoi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $7.82 (d192,683) on alcoholic beverages in Hanoi per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$7.82
d192,683
Water Budget in Hanoi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.00 (d24,667) on bottled water in Hanoi per day. The public water in Hanoi is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.00
d24,667
Last Updated: May 17, 2023
Hanoi On a Budget
Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
Definitely allow yourself several days to explore the area, sample the food, and do some day trips to the surrounding areas. You can see the colonial French influence in much of the architecture around the city. The city itself continues to develop and modernize, and it is quickly becoming an influence in Asian culture.
Hanoi's climate is tropical and the temperatures stay hot and damp through most months. The winter can be surprisingly chilly though and the wind chill and humidity make it feel even cooler. It's best to avoid the hottest summer months when the city feels almost unbearable and the air is very stagnant.
Sights
There is no shortage of sights in and around Hanoi. Some of the more interesting museums include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the
Vietnamese Women's Museum, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and Ho Chi Minh's Vestige In The Presidential Palace Area. There are also plenty of temples around the area with some of the most famous being the Temple of Literature, Ngoc Son Temple, and Bach Ma Temple. There are also some educational and memorial sights related to the war. These include the Hoa Lo Prison (The Hanoi Hilton), B-52 Lake, and the Army Museum. Parks in the area include Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Tay, the Lenin Statue and Park, and Ly Thai To Statue and Lake. Also while you're in Hanoi it's worth checking out the famous Vietnamese puppet theater. You can see this at Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, which is near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Also check out the interesting
Phung Hung Street Art, located in various parts of the city.
If you're interested in traveling through Vietnam while saving money, check out this
great guide to Motorbiking Vietnam on a budget.
Neighborhoods
Hanoi has a variety of neighborhoods that are worth exploring. It is suggested that you spend at least a few days here, perhaps as part of a
7-day itinerary of Vietnam. Hanoi makes a great base for exploring the nearby towns as well.
Hoan Kiem is named for the lake and has green landscape and a social setting. In the morning there are many exercisers and during the day there are local families and tourists wandering about.
The Old Quarter has winding, narrow streets with flower carts, spice shops, and restaurants lining them.
West Lake is north of the Old Quarter and has many palaces and ancient architecture. There are also high end hotels and restaurants in the area.
Ba Dinh is where you'll find the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum compound as well as botanical gardens, the Temple of Literature, the One Pillar Pagoda and many nice hotels.
Tourists rarely visit the Hai Ba Trung area and it has many local markets, merchants, and food stalls. It's where you'll find the best local food and a truly authentic experience.
Activities
There are a variety of activities that you can enjoy in Hanoi. Cooking classes are quite popular and fun. Eco tours and food tours are common as well. There are a variety of markets that you can visit in Hanoi also. Hang Da is a 6 story building with a variety of kiosks and shops. Other markets around town include Cho Hom, Dong Xuan, and the night market which opens at 7 pm in the old quarter. You can also get a
massage in Hanoi as the Omamori Spa.
Food and Dining
Vietnam has a very diverse and delicious cuisine that makes use of fresh ingredients. Soup, or "pho" is a popular dish around town. It is prepared with a variety of ingredients including "Ga" (chicken) or "Bo" (beef). There are thousands of small restaurants around town that serve up dishes with chicken, beef, fish, vegetables, or seafood. Street stalls are also very common and incredibly cheap. They typically offer plastic tables and chairs that you can eat at and the food is quite good. Many of these eateries are located in the Old Quarter. The atmosphere here is great and there are many places that cater specifically to tourists. One of the
best authentic restaurants in Hanoi is Bun Bo Nam Bo, so check it out when you're in town.
Western food is also abundant but quality can vary and prices are dramatically higher than local food. Pizza, pasta, burgers, and other types of Asian food are all available around town. Street baguettes are also quite common.
Transportation
A good first stop in the city is the Tourist Information Center, which is just north of Hoan Kiem Lake. It's staffed by English speaking attendants who can offer you some great advice and give you a map of the area. You can also access the Internet from their office.
If you're traveling a distance of any real length, your best bet is to hop into a taxi. Taxis have meters, but most have been tinkered with, so you'll likely do better to set a price ahead of time. Like everything else in Vietnam, negotiate hard. Don't be afraid to let one taxi go by if they aren't giving you a fair rate and flag down another. For shorter distances, cyclos or pedicabs are a good option. They tend to be cheaper and are a fun way to travel.
There are buses that travel through the city as well. They are a little difficult to navigate but are surprisingly comfortable and convenient. There are over 60 bus lines and the conductors are usually helpful with information.
Related
Looking for a
hostel in Vietnam or
Cambodia? Find
party hostels in Vietnam or
Siem Reap or find the best place to stay if you're
traveling alone to Ho Chi Minh City.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.