Trip for · Tight budgets
Hanoi for budget travellers
Street meals under ₫70,000 and beer under ₫20,000.
Key facts
- Days
- 4
- Matching items
- 18
- Verdict
- good fit
A 4-day outline
Grouped by walking cluster where the guide gives one. Order inside a day is loose: the timed day plans check opening hours and walking.
Day 1
Hoàn Kiếm Lake at dawn, then Ngọc Sơn Temple
Why it fits: Lake free; temple ₫30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2). Tai chi groups, joggers and cool air before the traffic starts; the red bridge to the island temple opens after.
From: Top 10 · cost
Ba Đình: Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda
Why it fits: Free; Presidential Palace grounds extra. The state's showpiece square, a silent two-minute file past the leader, then the lotus pagoda behind.
From: Top 10 · cost
West Lake and Trấn Quốc Pagoda at sunset
Why it fits: Free. The oldest pagoda in the city on a lake spit, then a walk or ride along the water.
From: Top 10 · cost
Why it fits: Bún chả · ₫50,000–90,000 (≈ US$2–4). The Obama bún chả; lunch.
From: Eat guide · Budget tier
Cơm bình dân (rice and dishes)
Why it fits: Point at 3–4 dishes over rice · ₫35,000–60,000 (≈ US$2–3). The cheapest full meal; vegetarian dishes easy to point at.
From: Eat guide · Budget tier
Day 2
Bia hơi corners
Why it fits: draught beer at ₫10,000–20,000 (≈ under US$1) a glass, 16:00–20:00 for fresh kegs.
From: Good for · budget travellers
Bus 86 from the airport
Why it fits: about ₫45,000 (≈ US$2) against ₫250,000 (≈ US$10)+ for a car (check fare).
From: Good for · budget travellers
Free sights
Why it fits: lake, Ba Đình Square, Trấn Quốc, One Pillar and the walking streets cost nothing.
From: Good for · budget travellers
Bún chả Đắc Kim
Why it fits: Bún chả with spring rolls · ₫70,000–90,000 (≈ US$3–4). Bigger portions than most.
From: Eat guide · Budget tier
Bánh tôm Hồ Tây stalls
Why it fits: Shrimp and sweet-potato fritters · ₫50,000–80,000 (≈ US$2–4). Afternoon snack with a lake view.
From: Eat guide · Budget tier
Day 3
Throw a pot at Bát Tràng
Why it fits: Easy on your own with a ride-hailing car; a tour adds little except a markup.
From: Experience · verdict: do it yourself
Free student-guide walking tour
Why it fits: Friendly and free, thin on history; good for conversation rather than facts.
From: Experience · verdict: do it yourself
Dawn exercise at Hoàn Kiếm lake
Why it fits: Join a group at the back; nobody minds, and it beats the heat and traffic of later hours.
From: Experience · verdict: do it yourself
Bún đậu mắm tôm lanes
Why it fits: Fried tofu, noodles, fermented shrimp dip · ₫50,000–80,000 (≈ US$2–4). Ask for fish sauce if the shrimp paste is too much.
From: Eat guide · Budget tier
Day 4 · Old Quarter
Why it fits: Phở bò (beef) · ₫50,000–70,000 (≈ US$2–3). Queue and pay first; mornings.
From: Eat guide · Budget tier
Why it fits: Xôi (sticky rice with toppings) · ₫30,000–60,000 (≈ US$2–3). Breakfast or late night.
From: Eat guide · Budget tier
Why it fits: Bún bò Nam Bộ (beef noodle salad) · ₫60,000–80,000 (≈ US$3–4)
From: Eat guide · Budget tier
Where to stay
Sleep areas the guide points budget travellers to.
The widest spread of cheap hotels and hostels in the city.
From: Sleep fit · budget 5/5
Before you go
What the guide flags for budget travellers.
- Keep ₫500,000 (≈ US$20) in small notes; withdraw at bank ATMs inside banks or malls, not on dark streets. (Money · ATM rule)