How much does a day in Hanoi cost in 2026?
From $15 a day. A bowl of pho is about a dollar, a city bus is 28 cents, and the Temple of Literature is $1.20.
Prices checked 2026-09-27. Dollar figures are rounded conversions.
Hanoi is one of the cheapest capitals in the world to travel in. Pho on a plastic stool in the Old Quarter is ₫25,000 to ₫35,000, about a dollar, a dorm bed is $7 to $12 and the city bus is ₫7,000. The sleeper train to Sapa, a bed and a mountain, is about $17.
A budget day, line by line, with 2026 prices and sources. The day total below is an ultra-budget figure from one guide; comfortable travellers spend $40 to $60.
A budget day in Hanoi
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed | $7–12 | Old Quarter hostels |
| Pho | ₫25,000–35,000 ($1–1.40) | |
| Egg coffee | ₫30,000–45,000 ($1.20–1.80) | |
| City bus | ₫7,000 ($0.28) | Grab rides are $1 to $3 |
| Temple of Literature | ₫30,000 ($1.20) | The temple's own site; resellers list ₫70,000 |
| Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter, Train Street | Free | |
| Budget day total | from $15 | Ultra-budget; $25–40 is a comfortable range |
Getting out of the city
- Hanoi to Sapa by sleeper train: about $17 for a soft sleeper berth (Vietnam Railways fares).
- Ha Long Bay day cruises run from about $40 including transfers; overnight boats from $100.
- Bangkok to Hanoi one-way flights start around $78 on VietJet (Kayak, Sept 2026).
Five days, roughly
| Style | Per day | Five days |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (dorm, street food, bus) | $15–25 | $75–125 |
| Mid-range (boutique hotel, sit-down dinners, a cruise) | $60–100 | $300–500 |
| Comfortable (Old Quarter hotel with pool, private tours) | $150+ | $750+ |
Frequently asked questions
How much is pho in Hanoi?
₫25,000 to ₫35,000, about $1 to $1.40, at a street stall. Restaurants in the Old Quarter charge two to three times that.
Is Hanoi cheaper than Bangkok?
Yes, on every line: dorms $7 to $12 against $12 to $21, street meals about $1 against $1.20 to $2.40, a bus 28 cents against 50 cents to $1.90 on the Skytrain.
How much is the sleeper train to Sapa?
About $17 for a soft-sleeper berth on Vietnam Railways from Hanoi to Lao Cai, then a shuttle up to Sapa.
How do I plan a trip with these prices?
Say the trip to Travileer, for example "five days in Tokyo on a budget", and it plans the days with times, estimated costs and checked venues. Your first trip is free, no card needed.
Sources
- Hanoi budget guide 2026 (machupicchu.org) (2026-09-27)
- Day Trips Vietnam, Vietnam budget (2026-09-05)
- Temple of Literature, tickets (2026-09-27)
- Vietnam Railways fares (2026-09-27)