Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam, stands out as arguably the world's most economical capital city for travellers. While it may be a distant destination, with direct return flights from London starting at around £600, the savings on the ground are remarkable. Clean and comfortable rooms can be secured from just £8 per night, with beers priced at £1 and hearty meals available for £3, making it an ideal choice for a budget-friendly getaway.
The £24 Challenge: A Day in Hanoi Without Compromise
Embarking on a personal mission, I aimed to experience 24 hours in Hanoi for less than £24, without sacrificing comfort or culinary delights. This budget was allocated to cover one night's accommodation, three meals each accompanied by a drink, and a taste of the city's signature Vietnamese egg coffee. Hanoi is renowned for its exceptional, safe, and diverse street food scene, offering an array of options to satisfy any palate.
Navigating the Bustling Streets of the Old Quarter
Upon arrival, the first impression of Hanoi, and much of Vietnam, is the sheer volume of mopeds. Thousands of these vehicles congest the narrow lanes of the Old Quarter, initially making the roads seem impassable. This historic area is adorned with national flags and the hammer-and-sickle symbol, representing the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam.
Locals often gather on small plastic stools at modest roadside eateries, enjoying traditional dishes such as pho (noodle soup), banh mi (meat-filled baguettes), and bun cha (pork patties with rice noodles and dipping sauce). For those preferring meat-free alternatives, options include summer rolls, banh xeo (savoury egg pancakes), and cha ca (grilled fish with onions and dill). Most street food portions start at approximately £1, allowing for a generous meal budget of £3.50, including a beer or soft drink.
Accommodation and Morning Rituals
The Old Quarter is an excellent base for first-time visitors, providing proximity to major attractions like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, Train Street—where trains speed through a cafe-lined alley—and the lively Dong Xuan Market. My partner Abigail and I booked an Airbnb for £19 per night, splitting the cost to £9.50 each. This accommodation featured two double beds, a bath, and a balcony in a prime location.
More affordable options are available, with the lowest-priced Airbnb listing a private room with a double bed for £7.80, while the most expensive reaches £111 for a five-bedroom property. After a restful night, coffee was our first priority. We visited Ca Bop, where an egg coffee costs around £1.50; for the original version, Cafe Dinh in the Old Quarter is recommended. The cheapest coffee option is a bac xiu (white coffee) at 50p.
Breakfast choices abound, including pho for about £2, banh mi starting at 70p to 90p, bun ca rieu (crab vermicelli soup), rice porridge at £1, and sticky rice with mung bean, fried shallots, and crispy eggs for £1. The latter, a hearty and familiar option for Western tastes, can be enhanced with additions like pork shoulder, pork belly, or chicken. By this point, our daily expenditure had reached approximately £13 each.
Exploring Cultural Sites and Culinary Delights
We took a leisurely stroll around West Lake, observing locals practising tai chi, and visited the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Nearby, the Temple of Literature, constructed in 1070 AD, offers a glimpse into Vietnam's rich history. Train Street attracted crowds, with cafes serving egg coffee and coconut coffee for a couple of pounds, providing a perfect pitstop.
For lunch, we indulged in delicious banh mi and pho, costing just £2.70. As evening approached, dinner options included rice noodle salad with herbs and peanuts or fried fish with dill at Cha Ca, each around £3.50. Alternatively, Obama Bun Cha, where Barack Obama dined in 2016, offers a similar priced experience. We concluded the meal with che, a dessert packed with fruit, beans, tapioca, coconut shavings, peanuts, pandan leaf, and coconut milk, priced at £1 and ranking among my favourite dishes of the trip.
The day ended with bia hoi, a light beer costing only 40p. In total, spending in this welcoming and wonderful city amounted to £19.60, comfortably within the £24 budget. This experience highlights Hanoi's status as a premier destination for budget-conscious travellers seeking authentic cultural and culinary experiences.
