Hoa Lo Prison Tour (visit at 2 PM for quietest time, free with guidebook, 50,000 VND otherwise; skip night tour)
Thang Long Water Puppet Show (arrive by 6:45 PM for 7 PM show, 120,000 VND; skip front rows to avoid splashes)
Bun Cha at Huong Lien (go at 11 AM for first service, 120,000 VND; skip beef version— it's not authentic)
Dong Xuan Market (arrive at 7 AM for fresh spices, 30,000 VND for 500g lemongrass; skip fish section— too smelly)
Temple of Literature (visit at 9 AM to avoid crowds, 30,000 VND; skip main hall, head straight to back garden)
Trang Tien Bridge Sunset (sit at 6:30 PM for best photo, free; skip evening boat tours— overpriced)
Pho 10 (order at 7:30 AM for freshest bowl, 50,000 VND; skip "pho tai" if you don't like rare beef)
Old Quarter Street Art (start at 3 PM, follow red paint on walls, free; skip guided tours— they're tourist traps)
Bia Hoi at Bach Ma Street (drink at 5 PM for local
How much does a day in Hanoi cost?
~70-120 EUR/day. That covers a mid-range hotel, meals at local restaurants (not tourist traps), public transit, and 1-2 paid attractions. Budget travelers can do it for 30-40% less by choosing hostels and street food.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
September is the sweet spot — good weather, fewer crowds, lower prices. See our month-by-month guide for details.
Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-12 · Budget: ~70-120 EUR/day