Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Hanoi
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $17-54 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Hanoi
Accommodation
$7-18 per night
Backpacker hostels in things to do in Old Quarter, basic guesthouses, budget hotels in outlying districts
Food & Dining
$8-18 per day
Street food vendors, local pho and bun cha stalls, market eateries, sidewalk coffee shops
Transportation
$2-6 per day
Local buses, walking in things to do in Old Quarter, bicycle rentals, occasional bus or motorbike taxi
Activities
$0-12 per day
Free walking around discover Hoan Kiem Lake, temple visits with small donations, self-guided things to do in Old Quarter exploration
Currency: ₫ Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Hanoi
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat where locals eat - street food and small restaurants are 70-80% cheaper than tourist spots
Use Grab app for transport instead of street taxis - saves 40-60% and prevents scams
Book Ha Long Bay tours from Hanoi agencies rather than last-minute - saves 30-50%
Visit during shoulder months (March-April, October-November) for 25-40% lower accommodation
Buy snacks and water at local shops, not tourist areas - prices can be 200-300% higher in things to do in Old Quarter
Learn to say basic greetings in Vietnamese - often results in better prices and friendlier service
Take local buses instead of tourist shuttles when possible - saves 70-80%
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Accepting rides from drivers at train station or airport - typically 200-400% overpriced
Dining only on Ta Hien beer street or other tourist strips - usually 150-250% markup
Booking tours through intermediaries - adds 30-50% commission compared to direct booking
Exchanging currency at airport or train station - lose 8-12% compared to downtown banks