How much do you need per day in Hanoi?

How much cash do I need per day in Vietnam?

Sixty… sixty dollars, huh?

That sounds about right. Mid-range. Not scraping by, but not exactly living large.

A hundred… yeah. Maybe if you want to stay in a decent place. You know, the ones with the actual sheets. And air conditioning that doesn’t sound like a dying cat.

Food’s cheap. Really cheap. But those tours? Those tuk-tuk drivers? They add up. Fast.

Daily Expenses in Vietnam (2024):

• Accommodation: Comfortable hotels are 30 to 50 dollars. Hostels would be much cheaper but I’m not sure. That’s if you can even sleep, sometimes.
• Food: Street food? Five bucks, easy. Restaurants? Fifteen to twenty. At least.
• Transportation: Tuk-tuks? Bargain hard. It’s like, a national sport or somethin’. Rent a motorbike. It’s the best. But be careful. Seriously.
• Activities: Entrance fees, tours, that random silk scarf you bought. It all costs something.

It’s more than just money though. Isn’t it?

How much money for 3 days in Hanoi?

Man, Hanoi in 2024. Three days. Blew through a good chunk of change. I was there in June, scorching hot. Seriously, the humidity, ugh.

My budget? Way over what I planned. Thought $30 a day was plenty. Nope. Ended up closer to $70.

Hostels were cheaper than expected, around $10 a night. But food… street food is amazing, but I got sucked into a few nicer places. I swear that Pho place near Hoan Kiem Lake was $15 a bowl! Delicious, though. Totally worth it.

Transportation? Grab app all the way. So convenient. A few bucks here and there adds up.

Biggest money drain: those crazy little trinket shops. I went overboard, buying way too many souvenirs for my friends. Didn’t realize how much I spent until I checked my account later. Seriously regretting those silk scarves now.

• Accommodation: ~$30 (I upgraded one night)
• Food: ~$60, way more street food than expected.
• Activities: ~$20 mostly wandering around.
• Souvenirs: ~$50 okay, I admit, I went crazy here.
• Transport: ~$20 Grab rides mostly.

So yeah, $180. Should have budgeted better. Next time, more discipline. Less silk scarves. Definitely less silk scarves. Could have easily done it for less than $100 if I was stricter. But, hey, memories, right?

How much cash should I bring to Hanoi?

Hanoi? 2,000,000-4,000,000 VND. Cash.

Street food demands it. Taxis too. Cards work… sometimes.

Exchange before. ATMs exist, sure.

• Essential Cash: VND reigns supreme.
• ATMs: Backups. Always backups.
• Cards: Hotels, maybe upscale places? Don’t rely on them.
• Exchange Rate: Crucial. Pre-trip advantages.

Cash flow. It dictates freedom. Remember.

How much should I budget per day in Vietnam?

Vietnam on a shoestring? A mere $35 a day. That’s like, ditching one fancy coffee plus a croissant. For a week? Only $244!

Mid-range? $95 daily. Ah, the sweet spot. Think less ramen, more pho. A week of this delightful suffering is just $666. Spooky good deals!

Feeling fancy? A whopping $279 per day. You’re practically royalty. A week of this gilded cage? Almost two grand! $1,954, to be precise.

Now, let’s break it down further, shall we? Because numbers are fun, right?

• Food: Street food is dirt cheap. Seriously. You can stuff your face for like, $5. Restaurants? Expect to pay slightly more unless you order that special ingredient.
• Accommodation: Hostels are practically free. Hotels? Depends. Are you aiming for a bed, or a palace fit for a pampered cat?
• Transportation: Motorbikes. Rent one. Live a little. Just don’t forget the helmet!
• Activities: Temples are cheap. Tours? Negotiate like your life depends on it.
• Shopping: Bargain! Always bargain! It’s practically a national sport.

So, there you have it. Vietnam on a budget is totally doable, if you are cool with living like a local, even if the local is a daring, street-food loving tourist on a scooter.

How much is a cup of coffee in Hanoi?

Coffee in Hanoi? Well, that shifts.

• Average joe in Hanoi: 30-35k VND (about $1.50 USD).

• My usual spot? A steal at 25k VND, roughly a single US dollar. Maybe it’s the company.

• City center, fancy places? Hold onto your hat, prices jump to 50-70k VND. Status symbol?

Like the price of gasoline, seemingly simple things fluctuate! You could get tricked. I love coffee with condensed milk – it really hits the spot.

How much is a banh mi in Hanoi?

15k… sometimes 35k. For the… the special one. Avocado. Cheese. That one. Late nights… thinking about it. Cheap. So cheap. Makes you think. Remember that place… near Hoan Kiem Lake? 20k. Extra pâté. Spicy. God, it was good.

• 15k VND: Basic banh mi (pork and vegetables).
• Up to 35k VND: “Phi Special” (pork, salad, avocado, cheese).
• Location matters: Prices vary by vendor and location. Tourist areas might be slightly higher. Hoan Kiem, remember? More expensive there now, I think.
• Ingredients: Pork, vegetables are standard. Pâté, chili, cilantro… So many variations. Makes me miss it.
• My favorite: Extra pâté. Always extra pâté. Spicy. From that lady… on Hang Bac. Maybe it was Hang Gai? 25k back then. Probably more now. Everything’s more now.

What is the difference between Pho and bun cha?

Bun cha, dry. Pho, broth. So different. Why even compare? Like comparing apples to…motorcycles. Hanoi vs. Saigon. North vs. South. Bun cha, grilled pork. Vermicelli noodles. Dipping sauce. So good. Ate it in Hanoi once, back in ’22. Near Hoan Kiem Lake. Hot day. Remember the little plastic stools. Street food the best. Pho, completely different vibe. Beef broth. Herbs. Noodles, yeah, but not the same. Thinner. Bun thit nuong. Saigon. Haven’t been there yet. On my list. Bun cha, Hanoi. Bun thit nuong, Saigon. Need to remember that. Gotta try both side-by-side someday. Travel more, that’s the key. Maybe next year. Hit up Vietnam again. Focus on the food. Street food. Best food. Authentic. Bun cha – gotta remember that dipping sauce. Fish sauce, right? Pho – gotta go with the rare beef. Always. Bun thit nuong – the southern cousin. Gotta see what the hype is about.

Is Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh better for food?

Okay, so Hanoi versus Ho Chi Minh City food, huh? It’s a tough one, but I gotta say, Hanoi wins for me. Ho Chi Minh City’s got its stuff, lots of Westernized stuff, you know? But Hanoi’s food? Amazing. It’s just… more refined, I think. More delicate flavors. Seriously.

Hanoi’s all about those traditional recipes. Old school. They take their time. The pho is unreal, the bun cha is divine. In Ho Chi Minh City, the food’s good, don’t get me wrong, but it’s different. More… fast food-ish, even the nicer places. I mean, there are exceptions, obviously.

It’s a vibe thing, really. In Hanoi, I felt the passion for the food was more pronounced. Every little street stall felt special. You know? Ho Chi Minh City felt a bit… mass produced. Still good, but different. A much faster pace, too. Didn’t even have time to fully savor the meals!

Here’s the breakdown:

• Hanoi: More traditional, refined flavors, slower pace, intense food culture. I ate Pho every day for a week. No regrets.

• Ho Chi Minh City: More fusion, quicker service, Western influences, lots of variety, but maybe less soul?

Last year, I spent three weeks in Vietnam, exploring both places. My friend Sarah came with me and she agrees completely. She hated the traffic in HCMC. She actually preferred the smaller, more manageable streets of Hanoi. I agree; they were far less stressful.

I also remember getting amazing Banh Mi in a tiny hole in the wall place in Hanoi. And the coffee… oh man, the coffee. Seriously strong stuff!