What $10 Can Get You in Vietnam’s Food Scene?

Vietnamese cuisine has long captured the hearts of international travelers not only for its rich and delicate flavors but also thanks to fresh ingredients, skillful preparation, and incredibly affordable prices. Whether you're strolling through Hanoi, wandering the streets of Saigon, or exploring Da Nang, with just a small budget, you can experience a full day of diverse and delicious eats.

If you're a traveler looking to savor the full depth of Vietnamese cuisine without breaking the bank, this blog is for you. With a budget of just around $10 (approximately 250,000 VND), you can enjoy three hearty meals a day, trying iconic dishes that are an everyday part of local life from a crispy morning bánh mì, a flavorful chicken rice lunch, to a comforting bowl of noodles when night falls.

1. Morning – Start Light with Bánh Mì and Vietnamese Coffee

With the hustle and bustle of city life, Vietnamese people tend to favor quick, convenient, and nutritious breakfasts. Bánh mì and coffee are a go-to combo fast, flavorful, and full of local character. Just one bite of a crispy baguette and a sip of bold Vietnamese coffee, and you’re off to a true Hanoi-style morning.

Bánh mì:

Bánh mì 25 – 📍 25 Hang Ca, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Bánh mì Mama – 📍54 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Bami Bread – 📍98 Hang Bac, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Vietnamese Coffee:

Loading T – 📍 2nd floor, 8 Chan Cam, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Cafe Giảng – 📍 39 Nguyen Huu Huan, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

2. Lunch – Satisfy Your Hunger with Chicken Rice and Sugarcane Juice
Under the sweltering midday sun, Vietnamese people often choose dishes that are nutritious yet easy to eat, without being too heavy. A homestyle Vietnamese rice meal is a perfect choice for lunch. Afterwards, a refreshing glass of sugarcane juice helps cool the body and recharge energy for the rest of the afternoon.

Vietnamese rice meal:

Tầm Vị – 📍 4B Yen The, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Cơm Lệ – 📍 135 Trieu Viet Vuong, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi

Mây Tre Đan Restaurant – 📍 151-153 Hang Bong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Sugarcane juice:

Nước Mía Nam – 📍 59 Ha Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Quán nước mía – 📍 77 Hang Dieu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Nước mía Cô Gấm – 📍 37E Hang Vai, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi 

3.  Dinner – End the Day with Vietnamese Hotpot and Traditional Chè
Evenings are meant for slowing down, gathering around the table, and enjoying warm, flavorful meals. Hotpot (lẩu) is the perfect dinner option hearty, rich in ingredients, and ideal for sharing. Whether it’s beef, chicken, or spicy seafood, each bubbling pot brings people together through taste and conversation. After a filling dinner, treat yourself to a traditional Vietnamese chè - a sweet, refreshing dessert loved by all generations.

Hotpot:

Lẩu Thái Ngói CTR – 📍 38 Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Lẩu ếch Phong Ớ – 📍 72-74 Pho Duc Chinh, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Lẩu bò nhúng dấm – 📍48 Tran Xuan Soan, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội

Chè:

Chè Lộc Tài – 📍 76 Hang Dieu,  Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Chè Bốn Mùa – 📍 4 Hang Can,  Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Chè khúc bạch Suvy  – 📍33 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi