Hanoi
Vietnam
Overview
Vietnam's ancient capital enchants with its chaotic Old Quarter, serene lakes, French colonial architecture, and street food served on tiny plastic stools.
Cost of Travel
Daily budget guide for Hanoi — what you can expect to spend per person including accommodation, meals, transport, and activities.
per person per day
per person per day
per person per day
Approximate costs in USD based on today's exchange rates.
Explore Hanoi
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Ethnological museum offering exhibits on Vietnam's various cultures, with gardens & a restaurant.
Old Quarter
Historic trading district with a night market, narrow lanes, food hawkers & hotchpotch tube houses.
Hoa Lo Prison Relic
Only the gatehouse, now a museum, remains of this storied prison for POWs during the Vietnam War.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh's body is on display in this mausoleum & historic site.
Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum
Vietnamese fine art across various time periods plus media displayed in a 3-story colonial building.
Where to Stay
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
A French colonial masterpiece in the heart of Hanoi since 1901, with a legendary history, spa, and Angelina restaurant.
Hanoi La Siesta Hotel
A charming Old Quarter boutique hotel with excellent service, a rooftop bar, and a prime location near Hoan Kiem Lake.
Where to Eat
La Badiane
French-Vietnamese
An elegant courtyard restaurant blending French technique with Vietnamese ingredients in a beautifully restored colonial villa.
Pho Gia Truyen
Vietnamese
A legendary Hanoi pho stall that has served what many consider the city's finest bowl of beef pho since the 1950s.
Travel Tips
- Crossing the street: walk slowly and steadily — traffic flows around you
- Pho for breakfast is a must — locals eat it at dawn
- Train Street is photogenic but visit respectfully during allowed hours
- Bia hoi (fresh draft beer at 25 cents) is a Hanoi institution
- Take an overnight train or bus to Ha Long Bay or Sapa
- Egg coffee (ca phe trung) at Giang Cafe is a must-try
Getting There & Around
Grab (ride-hailing) is the best way to get around. Cyclos are scenic but slow. Walking in the Old Quarter is the best way to explore but requires confidence crossing streets. New metro lines are opening. Buses exist but are confusing for visitors. Motorbike taxis are cheap but risky.
Book & Reserve
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