Hanoi, Vietnam
Old Quarter energy, lakeside walks, coffee, and noodle culture.
Daily budget baseline: $35 USD. Food and culture on a tight budget
How much does a trip to Hanoi cost?
A practical midrange budget for Hanoi is about $35 USD per traveler per day. For a 7-day trip for two people, ground costs land around $384 USD before long-haul flights—usually cheapest in May, June, and September.
- Daily budget baseline: $35 USD / traveler
- 7 days for 2 people: ~$384 USD ground costs (2nd traveler ≈ 62% of daily rate, shared room)
- Usually cheapest: May, June, and September
- Busiest months: January, July, August, and December
Sample food prices
- Phở bò — avg $2.50 USD
- Bún chả — avg $3.00 USD
- Bánh cuốn — avg $2.00 USD
- Egg coffee — avg $2.50 USD
- Cha ca La Vong — avg $8.00 USD
Ground-cost planning assumptions dated July 2026. Use the calculator to personalize origin, dates, and group size. See how group size affects cost.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
Plan around February, March, April, October, and November for a smoother visit. Budget-minded trips lean toward May, June, and September, and January, July, August, and December is when demand—and often fares—spike.
What are the top things to do in Hanoi?
- Hoan Kiem Lake — Central lake with a scenic evening stroll.
- Old Quarter — Dense streets of shops, cafés, and street food.
- Temple of Literature — Vietnam’s historic temple of learning.
- Train Street — Narrow trackside cafés for a unique city moment.
- West Lake — Quieter waterfront area for temples and cafés.
What's the food and dining like in Hanoi?
Must-try food in Hanoi usually includes Phở bò, Bún chả, Bánh cuốn. Typical plates below help you budget meals before you go.
- Phở bò — Beef noodle soup with fragrant broth. (avg $2.50)
- Bún chả — Grilled pork with noodles and herbs. (avg $3.00)
- Bánh cuốn — Steamed rice rolls with minced pork and mushrooms. (avg $2.00)
- Egg coffee — Strong coffee topped with whipped egg yolk foam. (avg $2.50)
- Cha ca La Vong — Turmeric fish cooked at the table with dill. (avg $8.00)