Mid-Range Travel Guide: Hanoi

Accommodation

$25-65 per night

Comfortable hotels in the city or French Quarter, boutique properties, well-reviewed guesthouses

Food & Dining

$18-40 per day

Mix of street food and casual restaurants, traditional Vietnamese restaurants, cafes with good ambiance

Transportation

$8-20 per day

Ride-hailing services, occasional taxis, walking tours, cyclo rides for sightseeing

Activities

$25-70 per day

Museum entries, water puppet theater, day trips to Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh, cooking classes, cyclo tours

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 the city

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%

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