Is Hanoi expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
No. Hanoi is one of the cheapest capitals in Asia: a budget day costs about VND 780,000 (roughly €28-30) per person and a comfortable mid-range day about VND 1,900,000 (around €70). Street food, Grab rides and most sights cost very little; the big extras are a Ha Long Bay cruise and the colonial grand hotels.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | VND300,000 | VND700,000 | VND2,500,000 |
| Food & drink | VND250,000 | VND500,000 | VND1,200,000 |
| Sights & tickets | VND150,000 | VND500,000 | VND1,200,000 |
| Local transport | VND80,000 | VND200,000 | VND500,000 |
| Per person, per day | VND780,000 | VND1,900,000 | VND5,400,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Hanoi day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Bowl of phở bò | VND 40,000-70,000 |
| Bún chả lunch | VND 40,000-70,000 |
| Bánh mì | VND 20,000-45,000 |
| Egg coffee (cà phê trứng) | VND 35,000-60,000 |
| Glass of bia hơi | a few thousand to about VND 15,000 |
| Grab ride across the city | VND 30,000-80,000 |
| Water puppet show | about VND 100,000-200,000 |
| Ha Long Bay overnight cruise | from about US$120-300+ per person |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
For most visitors the biggest single cost is the Ha Long or Lan Ha Bay cruise, from about US$120-300+ per person for one night. Day to day, the hotel is the main expense, though Old Quarter rooms are cheap (VND 400,000-1,800,000 a double). Food is very inexpensive at stalls, and sights such as the Temple of Literature (about VND 70,000) cost little; prices rise in sit-down restaurants for tourists and in historic hotels like the Sofitel Metropole.
When it is cheaper
Hotel rates are usually lowest in the hot, wet summer from May to September and in the weeks after Tet; around Tet itself and in October-December, the peak season, prices rise and good rooms fill early.
How to spend less
- Eat at street stalls with prices on the wall, and ask the price before ordering elsewhere.
- Use Grab for cars and scooters instead of street taxis and cyclos.
- Take public bus 86 from Noi Bai Airport to the Old Quarter for about VND 45,000.
- Drink bia hơi on Ta Hien or in local corners rather than imported beer.
- Compare Ha Long cruises carefully; mid-range boats in Lan Ha Bay often give the best value and fewer crowds.
- Visit Ninh Binh by bus and hire a bike locally instead of joining an expensive tour.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Hanoi cost?
About VND 780,000 (roughly €28-30) per person on a budget, VND 1,900,000 mid-range and about VND 5,400,000 for comfort, sharing a double. The Ha Long cruise is extra.
How much is a Ha Long Bay cruise?
From about US$120-300+ per person for one night, including meals and kayaking; luxury ships cost more.
Should I pay in dong or dollars?
Dong. Some hotels and cruises quote in dollars, but stalls, taxis and shops expect dong.