Hanoi Prices & Travel Costs

Last Updated: Jan 2024

One of the world’s great travel bargains, Hanoi offers a fascinating mix of colonial French and modern Vietnamese at prices that are hard to believe.

The capital of Vietnam is still far more traditional than the larger Saigon in the south. There aren’t a lot of must-see sites, but the pleasant (though chaotic) city center makes up for that, with excellent food and drink at very low prices.

Is Hanoi Expensive or Cheap?

Attractions cost almost nothing by Western standards, so your sightseeing budget goes a long way. As long as you avoid an organized bus tour then you can get by on a tiny budget. The popular overnight trips to Halong Bay and multi-day trips to Sapa can range in price greatly, and often the cheap versions are great, though it’s always a bit of a crap-shoot.

Hanoi City Featured Image

Travel Costs to Hanoi

Population 6,500,000
Area 6,500,000
Timezone UTC+7
Currency Vietnam Dong
Airports Noi Bai International (HAN)
BACKPACKER INDEX: US$21.48
1 USD = 24,725.0000 VND
134 World cities ranked cheapest to most expensive: Backpacker Index for 2024

Accommodation Costs in Hanoi

Hanoi Hotel Seasons

Hanoi Hotel Prices

Rating Price(USD)
starstarstarstarstar7.00 - 25.00
starstarstarstarstar13.00 - 32.00
starstarstarstarstar17.00 - 55.00
starstarstarstarstar33.00 - 79.00
starstarstarstarstar90.00 - 123.00

Hanoi Hostels Prices

Type Price(USD)
Hostel Bed3.00 - 8.00

Hanoi Attractions Prices

Best tours in Hanoi

Location Description Type Price(USD)
Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)This French-built prison is where John McCain, among others, did time during the Vietnam/American war.
Adults
1.21
Water Puppet TheaterThis one-hour show is one of the city's top attractions.
Adults
Child
4.04
2.43
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (free)See the great leader's preserved body while walking through this popular tomb. There is no fee.
Everyone
0.00

Hanoi Food and Drink Prices

Food Type Description Price(USD)
Budget breakfastPho (noodle soup) is cheap and everywhere for breakfast, but many Western options are available.1.29 - 2.43
Budget lunchLocal Vietnamese specialties are cheapest2.22 - 4.04
Budget dinnerFood at street stalls is cheap, but these prices are for sit-down restaurants4.04 - 7.08
Bia hoi (fresh local beer)The cheapest beer in the world has around 3% alcohol and tastes watery, but refreshing0.28 - 0.40
Large bottled beerTiger, Hanoi, Saigon (all good lagers)0.81 - 1.13
Bowl of pho soupThe most popular dish in the city, available everywhere around the clock0.81 - 1.29
Fast food mealBurger, fries, and soft drink at Lotteria chain2.43
Vodka (.75L bottle)Vodka Hanoi is one of the better local vodkas and it's easy to find in several sizes. It's good stuff and much cheaper than foreign brands.2.43 - 3.64
Bahn Mi (Baguette sandwich)A great and cheap meal is a large baguette filled with some fresh cheese or pate or fried egg plus veggies, which can be found street-side all over Hanoi.0.89 - 1.21
Fresh fruit shakeBanana, mango, and many more fresh fruits are made into shakes and on every menu.0.81 - 1.13

Hanoi Transport Prices

Type Price(USD)
Taxi from airport to city center13.14 - 19.01
Vietnam Airlines airport shuttle1.62
3km taxi ride in Hanoi1.86 - 2.83
3km moto-taxi ride in Hanoi1.48 - 1.70

Getting to Hanoi

Getting around Hanoi

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When to visit Hanoi

Temperature and rainfall

Month High F Low F Precip (inches)
January66580.8
February67601.2
March72651.6
April80713.2
May87777.7
June90809.5
July908012.6
August898013.4
September887810
October82733.9
November76661.6
December71600.8

Hanoi Weather advice

Sunrise and sunset

21 Mar6:00am6:08pm
21 Jun5:16am6:41pm
21 Sep5:45am5:54pm
21 Dec6:49am5:20pm

Where to go before and after