How much money for 3 days in Hanoi?

How much money do I need for 3 days in Vietnam?

Three days in Vietnam? Hmm. It depends. A lot.

$150 a day, minimum. That’s if you’re really budget-conscious. Street food mostly. Basic hostels. Local buses. No fancy stuff. Forget the fancy stuff, seriously.

But, realistically… more. Much more. I spent way over that last year. My fault. I love good coffee. And those tiny little noodle shops…expensive now. Inflation. You know.

Here’s the breakdown, from my trip in 2023:

• Accommodation: $30-$75/night. Depends on where you go. Avoid the tourist traps. Seriously.
• Food: $20-$50/day. Easily. Delicious, but it adds up. Don’t underestimate.
• Activities: $30-$70/day. Temples, tours, whatever. You’ll find yourself wanting to do more than you thought. This is where the budget goes, really.
• Transportation: $10-$20/day. Grab is your friend. But taxis… those guys will take you.

So yeah. Three days? $600 minimum.Probably closer to $1000 if you’re not careful. I know, ouch. But be honest with yourself. Vietnam is amazing, but it’s not cheap. Especially if you like nice things. Like I do. Damn it.

Is 3 days in Hanoi too much?

Three days in Hanoi? Heavens, no! It’s barely enough time to learn to properly pronounce “pho,” let alone see everything. Honestly, you could spend a week haggling for silk scarves and still miss half the fun.

Think of Hanoi as a well-aged cheese: the longer you let it sit, the more pungent and delightful it becomes. One day is a quick sniff; three days lets you truly savor it.

Here’s the skinny, tourist-style:

• Historic Sites: Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature…yawn. Just kidding! They’re actually pretty cool, I guess. But seriously, go early to beat the hordes and the heat.

• Museums: The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is fascinating! I mean, I actually stayed awake the entire time… almost. So much history!

• Food, glorious food: Beyond pho? banh mi, bun cha… it is endless. Trust me, your stomach will thank you. Or maybe hate you, I ate so much!

• Halong Bay: A day trip is essential. Picture postcard stuff, really. Unless, of course, it’s pouring rain, then it’s just a gloomy boat ride.

Three days in Hanoi? It’s like dipping your toe in a pool. Invigorating. But seriously, you’ll want to jump in and swim. It is so worth it.

How much should I budget per day in Vietnam?

So, Vietnam, huh? Thirty-five bucks a day? Honey, that’s practically ramen-only territory. Unless your ramen comes with a side of questionable street meat and a complimentary dose of mild dysentery.

Mid-range? Ninety-five dollars. Think slightly less questionable street meat, perhaps. Maybe a beer or two, if you’re feeling wild. This still leaves you looking longingly at those ridiculously plush hotels. It’s the Goldilocks zone of travel – not too rough, not too fancy.

Luxury? Two hundred seventy-nine dollars? That’s enough to hire someone to meticulously peel your oranges for you. Seriously, that’s insane luxury. You’ll be swimming in silk pajamas and sipping something that tastes vaguely of exotic birds.

Let’s break it down, shall we? These are 2024 prices, mind you. Things change faster than my mood on a Monday.

• Cheap: Think hostels, street food, and questionable bus rides. Expect discomfort, but hey, you’ll have stories to tell (or nightmares).
• Mid-range: Decent hotels, some restaurant meals, occasional taxis. You’ll see the sights without sacrificing a kidney.
• High-end: Five-star hotels, private tours, imported wine. basically, your passport picture will look better than when you left.

Remember, these are daily budgets. Multiply accordingly, if you’re planning a trip longer than a weekend. And honestly, if you’re going high-end, you probably don’t need my advice anyway. You’re clearly loaded. Enjoy your perfectly-peeled oranges.

How much cash should I carry in Vietnam?

₫7-9 million Vietnamese Dong is a good cash baseline for a two-week trip. Covers incidentals. Street food. Small gifts. Think about it: most larger places take cards now. Mine is a Visa. Works everywhere.

• ATMs readily available: Withdraw Dong directly. Saves hassle. My bank charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, though. Something to consider.
• Card use is common: Hotels, restaurants, touristy spots. All take plastic. Even some smaller vendors. Cash is king for sure, in some instances.
• US dollars accepted: Some places, especially in tourist hubs. But Dong gives better exchange rates. Always. Learned that the hard way once in Hoi An.
• Bargaining power: Cash is king. Haggling is part of the fun. Especially at Ben Thanh Market. Bought a silk scarf last year there. Beautiful.
• Safety: Split your cash. Different pockets. Hotel safe. Never all in one place. Common sense, really. Just being cautious.
• Digital wallets gaining traction: But cash remains dominant. Particularly outside major cities. Like when I visited my friend’s family in the Mekong Delta.
• Consider your spending habits: Big spender? More cash. Budget traveler? Less. I am somewhere in between. I like nice things, but street food, too.
• Exchange rates fluctuate: Check before you go. Convert some currency beforehand for peace of mind. I use a currency converter app. Super convenient.

This Dong range (7-9 million) offers flexibility. Good starting point. Adjust based on your travel style. Like how much you plan to shop. Or eat. Or drink. Enjoy Vietnam. It is really a great country. Beautiful beaches. Delicious food. Friendly people. What more could you want?

What can a US dollar buy you in Vietnam?

A US dollar? In Vietnam, that’s practically a small fortune! Think of it as a magic bean, but instead of a giant beanstalk, you get a mountain of pho.

Seriously though, $1 gets you over 23,000 VND (as of October 26, 2023 – rates fluctuate like a caffeinated hummingbird, so check before you go!). That buys you:

• A delicious bowl of pho: A truly magnificent culinary adventure.
• Several bánh mì: These sandwiches are so good, they could cure existential dread.
• A mountain of tropical fruit: Mangoes the size of your head? Totally doable.
• Loads of souvenirs: Think tiny, charming trinkets, not that giant Buddha you kinda wanted but can’t fit in your suitcase.
• A surprisingly decent bottle of local beer: It’s a bit like a vacation for your taste buds.

Forget those pricey tourist traps. Dive into the local markets! It’s a sensory overload of smells, sights, and incredibly affordable eats. Your dollar goes further than a marathon runner on double espresso. One dollar might feel insignificant back home, but it transforms into a small-scale economic miracle in Vietnam. This year, especially, you’ll find street food to be ridiculously cheap and good.

Pro Tip: Learn some basic Vietnamese phrases. Your efforts will be rewarded with smiles, and possibly, extra delicious food. Trust me on this. I almost learned to say “more noodles, please” last year. Almost.