With its legendary café culture, bustling streets, delicious cuisine, and friendly locals, it is no surprise that Vietnam’s capital Hanoi is growing as a popular destination for digital nomads.

Hanoi is one of my favourite cities in the world. I first visited back in 2019 for a few weeks, and I knew straight away that I wanted to stay longer. So, in late 2025, my husband and I stayed for around two months while working online to see what it was like to “live” there. We had an amazing experience overall, getting to enjoy Hanoi at a leisurely pace, and discover more of what this fantastic city has to offer.

In this guide, I’ll share exactly what we spent as a couple, along with what you should realistically budget as a remote worker or aspiring digital nomad. Although we stayed for 64 days in total, I’ll break down the average costs for a standard 30‑day month to keep things clear. I’ll cover accommodation, transport, food, and other typical monthly expenses, while leaving out flights, travel insurance, and visas since those aren’t recurring monthly costs.

As we spent over two months in Hanoi, our spending wasn’t as intense as it would be for short‑term tourists who want to eat out 3x a day and cram in as much sightseeing as possible. So, if you’re planning a longer stay in Hanoi, I hope this breakdown gives you a realistic idea of what to expect and helps you budget accordingly.

Updated: July 2026

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Is Hanoi good for digital nomads?

I definitely recommend Hanoi as a place to base yourself if you can work remotely. It’s a really fantastic city, and somewhere any digital nomad in Southeast Asia should consider.

While it may not have the long stretches of coastline that digital nomad hotspot Da Nang has, or access to the Mekong Delta like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi has excellent museums and art galleries, along with a wide variety of cafés, restaurants, and bars, so you won’t be bored there. 

What’s more, Hanoians are very friendly, welcoming, and helpful, even with the language barrier. English is spoken here on a simple level, mostly by the younger generations, and people working in the Old Quarter where most tourists stay. You can easily get by though, with a bit of trusty Google Translate, hand gestures and pointing at menus when needed.

Hanoi can be quite loud, with the constant chorus of car and motorbike horns filling the air. If you’re used to a quieter place, it might seem overwhelming at first. Over time though, the sound becomes part of the background, and you stop noticing it as much.

Vietnam’s flexible visa system has become a big draw for long-term travellers and digital nomads. Most nationalities can get a 45-day visa on arrival. For those wanting to stay longer, you can apply for a 90-day visa (single or multiple entry). My husband and I have applied for the 90‑day visa several times, and the process has always been straightforward. The multiple‑entry version is especially handy if you plan to explore other parts of Southeast Asia during your stay.

For those looking to extend beyond 90 days, the common approach is to do a “visa run” to nearby countries like Cambodia, Laos, or Thailand, then re‑enter Vietnam for another 90 days. You can organise this independently, or through an agency who help you with the paperwork and logistics.

What is a typical monthly budget in Hanoi?

A realistic monthly budget in Hanoi is approximately:

• Budget solo nomad: €700–€900
• Comfortable solo nomad: €900–€1,300
• Couple: €900–€1500

This is a rough estimate that includes accommodation, transport, food, coworking, and entertainment. Of course, it will vary from person to person, since everyone’s spending habits are different.

Hanoi monthly costs at a glance

Our average monthly living costs as a couple in Hanoi came to just under €870 (around $1010 USD / £750 / just under 26 million VND) for a standard 30‑day month. This allowed my husband and me to stay in a good-quality apartment, eat out at least once every day, use transportation regularly, and go out and have fun in the city. 

If a single person covered the same accommodation costs alone and spent the same amount on everything else, their monthly budget would work out to around €700.

Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of our spending – plus what those figures look like for a single person.

Percentage breakdown

Accommodation costs

Our average expenses for one month / 30 days – €400 

Hanoi may not have as many swanky condos with pools and gyms as Ho Chi Minh City or Bangkok, but there are still plenty of good accommodation options. Accommodation will likely be your biggest expense in Hanoi – it accounted for around half of our monthly spending.

During our two months in Hanoi, we stayed in two different places, averaging out at €400 a month (including electricity).

Apartment 1 – A small studio apartment booked through Airbnb in Yen Phu Village on the banks of Tay Ho (West Lake). It was very basic, with few cooking utensils, an old TV with no smart features, and a really uncomfortable bed. It did have a large desk and excellent internet, so we were able to work really productively. There was a communal washing machine on the top floor which was very convenient. What’s more, the area was incredibly quiet (a rarity in Hanoi!) and it was very local. There were few tourists around, and prices for groceries and restaurants were very affordable.

In total, we paid €450 for a month’s stay here including bills. This is obviously much, much lower than what we used to pay when we lived in Europe, but it did seem overpriced for the quality (probably because of the Airbnb fees). As the terrible mattress really messed up my back, we decided we probably wouldn’t stay there again unless they replace the bed!

Apartment 2 – A major upgrade! We booked a serviced studio apartment, but this time on Truc Bach Island. The apartment was surprisingly spacious, with two dedicated desks, a well-equipped kitchen, a large smart TV, and a comfortable bed and sofa. It also included two cleanings per week, which was a lovely perk. It didn’t have a washing machine, but there were some communal ones on the upper floors that were included in the price.

For this apartment one we contacted the agent directly and managed to get a cheaper price than on Airbnb, at around €400. The area was noticeably louder and busier than the previous one, with more bars, restaurants, and shops. It was a convenient location though, and we could easily walk around the lake or to the Old Quarter. We really began to feel like locals during our stay, with vendors and people recognizing us in the street and greeting us.

Unfortunately, neither apartment building had a swimming pool, which is something we’ve come to crave during our digital nomad journey. However, pools aren’t very common in Hanoi, compared to other Southeast Asian cities. 

What should you expect to pay for rent?

Accommodation in Hanoi offers excellent value for money. For a good serviced apartment, you can expect to pay between €400 and €700 per month, with the price depending on how central the location is. If you’re after something more upscale, the cost can go higher, especially for apartments with more luxurious features.

If you’re staying for three months or more, landlords are usually open to negotiation, which means you can often secure a much lower monthly rate and make your long‑term stay far more affordable.

Where to stay in Hanoi

There are several neighbourhoods in Hanoi that are popular with digital nomads, including:

• Tay Ho – The area around West Lake is the most popular spot for expats and digital nomads. You’ll find high-rise condos with views over the lake, fine dining restaurants, Western food, gyms, and other amenities. You can also find classic Vietnamese restaurants here, so you can have the best of both worlds.
• Hoàn Kiếm/Old Quarter – Home to Hanoi’s hectic Old Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm is the most famous part of Hanoi. It’s where many of the city’s major landmarks and sights can be found, and where many tourists stay. It can be very loud here though, and there are fewer condo options in the area. Be sure to read reviews about noise before booking for a long stay.
• Ba Dinh – This district is another good place to base yourself, with Trach Buch island arguably the most desirable spot for digital nomads. There are a good number of serviced apartments here, and great food options nearby.

Internet/SIM costs

Our average expenses for one month / 30 days – €6

We only needed a SIM card while in Hanoi as the internet/Wi-Fi was included in the price of our accommodation. On average though, you should expect to pay from around 200,000 VND per month for high-speed internet if it’s not included in your rent.

From our experience, the internet in Hanoi is usually reliable. The only time we ran into issues was in our second apartment, where the connection was noticeably slow. To fix it, I picked up an ethernet cable for just €0.20 from what looked like a back‑alley computer shop. That was the only time I’ve had this problem in Vietnam, and I’ve worked from seven different cities so far without any issues.

Data SIMs are also excellent value in Vietnam. We purchased a Viettel Sim for 210,000 VND which included 30GB of data for one month. It was more than enough for us as we worked from the apartment, but if you want to work in local cafés, using your phone as a hotspot, you may want to get a larger data package. 

The most well-known phone operators in Vietnam are Viettel (the largest phone operator), Vinaphone, and MobiFone. You can also buy tourist SIM cards for a month, but these are often way more expensive than local sims.

Sims can be purchased at grocery stores or phone company shops. You will need to show your passport (or another form of photo ID) when purchasing one. We found topping up data through the Viettel app a bit confusing, so instead we just went to Viettel stores whenever we needed to add credit.

If you don’t want the hassle of getting a SIM card when you arrive then you can get an e-SIM through a service like Airalo. These are a bit more expensive, at around $30 USD for 50GB for one month, but they are really convenient if you want to get online as soon as you arrive. You can activate them in advance and be online the moment your plane touches down. 

Coworking space costs

My husband and I didn’t have any coworking space costs during our time in Hanoi as we prefer working from our apartments. I also teach part‑time online which would be horribly disruptive in a communal setting. 

If you’d prefer to work outside your apartment, Hanoi has plenty of coworking spaces throughout the city, with some of the most popular including Toong, UpGen, and COGO.

Prices are pretty competitive, but I’d recommend budgeting around 2,000,000 VND per month. If you don’t want to commit to a monthly pass, expect to pay around 150,000 VND per day.

Transportation costs

Our average expenses for one month – €25

Over the course of one month, my husband and I spent approximately €25 on transportation. This was mostly on Grab rides (Asian version of Uber), as well as a few local bus journeys. Hanoi also has a metro system, though it’s highly unlikely you will be using it as it mainly serves areas far out of the centre.

Buses

Buses are the cheapest way of getting around the city (other than walking of course), with journeys costing as little as 10,000 VND (€0.30) per journey. While cheap, they can be slow and often get stuck in traffic. However, they’re a fun and affordable way to see the city and get from place to place. 

Grab

Grab rides are very good value in Hanoi. We typically spent around €2 per journey, with the most expensive ride costing €8 for a 40-minute ride from the airport to our accommodation. Grabs are probably the best way to get around, as there are hundreds of drivers across the city.

Metro

Metro fares start from around 8,000 VND, while a day pass costs just 30,000 VND.

Dining out costs

Our average expenses for one-month – €181

Vietnamese food is not only utterly delicious, but also healthy, light and exceptionally good value. Over the course of a month, we spent an average of €180 dining out, which included a mix of street food, restaurants, and international food. Although we didn’t eat out for every single meal during our stay (we had a proper kitchen at our apartment) we certainly ate out a lot.

Excluding higher priced meals, we averaged roughly 45,000 VND (€1.40) per meal per person, which is obviously fantastic value.

Street food

Street food is the best option if you want delicious Vietnamese food at great prices. Street food in Vietnam includes both food stalls, and casual, open-fronted shophouse restaurants.

Dishes from these places, like Phở and Bún chả, usually start from around 30,000 VND, though you can find some stuff for as low as 20,000 VND! You can easily eat out for every meal for less than €5 if you just stick to street food.

Local restaurants

The more modern, polished restaurants typically charge anywhere from 50,000 VND per dish to more than 100,000 VND. In my experience, though, the food isn’t necessarily any better than what you’ll find at the local budget spots. More often than not, you’re paying for the air conditioning, comfortable seating, and (hopefully) higher cleanliness standards.

International food

International food in Hanoi costs more than local dishes, but after a while on the road you might find yourself craving something different or wanting a taste of home. Just keep in mind that if you eat a lot of international cuisine, your monthly food budget will climb significantly, compared to sticking to Vietnamese meals.

It can still be good value though. Our most expensive meal during our stay was an enormous British roast dinner at Hanoi Cider House. That meal cost €30 including alcohol, and was well worth it as the restaurant is run by a fellow Brit who knows how to make an authentic roast dinner.

Grocery costs

Our average expenses for one month – €82

We spent roughly €175 on groceries during our two months in Hanoi, averaging around €80 per month. This mostly went toward food, but also included drinking water (tap water isn’t safe to drink in Hanoi), everyday items like toothpaste, cleaning products, beers, and anything else we needed during our stay.

Some typical costs include:

• 5L bottle of water – 30,000 VND
• 500g chicken – 45,000 VND
• 5kg rice – 150,000 VND
• 1kg bananas – 20,000 VND
• Pack of 10 eggs – 25,000 VND
• 24 cans (330ml) of beer – 200,000 VND

There are large supermarkets in Hanoi, but nearer the centre it is mainly smaller minimarts like Circle-K and WinMart, as well as independent stores. We were relieved to discover a decent-sized BRG Mart within walking distance of our second apartment, and used that regularly. 

Street markets are the cheapest place to buy fruit and vegetables, but overall, I prefer shopping at supermarkets. Prices are clearly shown, you don’t need to haggle, and you can usually get everything you need in one place. 

Café costs

Our average expenses for one month – €51

If you’re a coffee junkie like me, you’ll probably want to visit one of Hanoi’s cafés at least once per day. There are so many different types of coffee to choose from here, from a classic black coffee to more indulgent options like egg coffee, coconut coffee, and salt coffee.

Over the course of an average month, my husband and I spent around €50 at cafés – mostly on coffee, but also the occasional tea or fruit juice. This figure could have been a lot higher, but we bought coffee grounds from the supermarket so we could brew our own at our apartment in our French press.

Average price breakdown of various café drinks:

• Vietnamese coffee – 15,0000-45,0000 VND
• Espresso – 40,000 VND
• Fruit juice – 25,000 VND
• Tea – 15,0000-45,0000 VND

These prices can certainly go higher, with more fancy cafés often charging between 65,000-100,000 VND for more specialised drinks.

Drinking out costs

Our average expenses for one month – €60

Whether you’re after a casual bar, microbrewery, or cocktail bar, you’ll have plenty of great, affordable options to choose between. A night out in Hanoi won’t burn a hole in your pocket, especially when compared to other Southeast Asian cities. 

In an average month, my husband and I spent around €60 on drinks out, which included beers, wines, and cocktails at a range of venues.

Here’s a short breakdown of some typical prices:

• Bia Hoi – This is Vietnam’s famous fresh draft beer, and at around 12,000 VND (or €0.40) a glass, it is known as the cheapest beer in the world. Usually served at street side stalls or beer halls, it’s light, refreshing, and ridiculously good value.
• Commercial beer – A pint or bottle of a commercial Vietnamese beer, like Saigon, will usually cost between 30,000-60,000 VND.
• Craft beer – A bit more expensive than commercial beers, starting from around 70,000 VND for a 330ml glass.
• Wine – A glass of Vietnamese wine (that’s right, Vietnam is a wine-producing country) will usually cost between 40,000-100,000 VND. Imported wine will be noticeably more expensive, with glasses often starting from around 140,000 VND.
• Cocktails – Prices for classic cocktails (like mojitos and espresso martinis) in a casual bar will usually start at around 100,000 VND, whereas something more special in a more upmarket establishment will typically cost anything from 250,000 VND+.

Tip: Happy Hour is very common in Hanoi, and you can get some amazing deals throughout the city.

Sightseeing costs

Our average expenses for one month – €35

Although we were trying to live like locals in Hanoi, we did a decent amount of sightseeing during our stay. With that said, we only spent €35 between us over a month. Tickets for most of the sights in the city cost less than €5, even with the two-tier pricing system (foreigners pay more for admission in most places), making Hanoi a great place for culture vultures.

Check out my blog post Top Museums to Visit in Hanoi to learn more about my favourite museums in the city.

Shopping and activity costs

Our average expenses for one month – €26

During our 2 months in Hanoi, my husband and I spent around €55 on shopping and other activities, so less than €30 per month. We didn’t do a whole lot of shopping as we’re minimalists travelling with 15kg of luggage. This was a bit of a shame, as there are some lovely shops and boutiques in Hanoi to pick up nice clothes and handicrafts.

Some things we did pay out for:

• Haircuts: We both got haircuts, which totalled around €18 at a good quality salon.
• Massages: Massages aren’t quite as cheap as in Thailand, but I got several during my two-month stay, which usually cost between €13-15 per hour.

Cash, cards, and ATM fees

You will likely be using a mix of cash and card payments in Hanoi. While places like global chain shops, more upscale restaurants, and accommodation accept card payments (sometimes with added fees), most of the time you will be using cash – especially if you are eating a lot of street food.

Only around 25% of our transactions were through card during our two months in Hanoi. You’ll notice locals using QR codes for payments, but you will need a local bank account to make use of these. There are some apps that claim you can use an international card with them, but we didn’t have any luck making them work.

Unfortunately, there are usually ATM charges to withdraw money in Vietnam with a foreign card. Most ATMs charge around 50,000 VND per withdrawal (as of 2026), which adds up if you use them frequently. So, it’s wise to get the largest amount of cash out that you can at one time. The maximum we’ve found is around 10,000,000 VND at banks such as VPBank.

We use Revolut cards when travelling abroad and couldn’t be happier with them. They let you withdraw cash for free up to a set monthly limit. Just keep in mind that local banks may still charge their own fees. If you’d like to try Revolut yourself, you can sign up here.