Hanoi out-cheaps every “cheap city” claim made by other Southeast Asian capitals. Draft beer on a plastic stool costs less than bus fare anywhere you are reading this from; a Michelin-recognized bowl of noodle soup costs roughly two dollars; a night in a hostel runs one-fifth the price of a European one. It is also a city that punishes first-timers carrying big bills, hailing street taxis, and trusting hotel-tour desks – so the plan below includes the prices, the street-level logistics, and the traps.
Here is how to do the Old Quarter in two days and spend well under $40 – or near $80 – depending on your accommodation, without missing the city’s best sights.
The Prices That Frame Everything
| Item | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Pho (street stall, Old Quarter) | $1.60-2.00 |
| Bun cha (grilled pork noodles) | $1.60-2.60 |
| Banh mi | $0.80-1.40 |
| Egg coffee (ca phe trung) | $1.40-2.00 |
| Bia hoi (fresh draught, Ta Hien |