Time Out survey of 18,000 residents highlights Vietnam’s capital as a global budget-friendly urban destination.
Hanoi has been named one of the world’s most affordable cities for food and entertainment, reinforcing its growing appeal to international travelers seeking high-value urban experiences. According to a new global ranking released by Time Out on December 12, Vietnam’s capital placed sixth among cities offering the best value for everyday leisure—from eating out to socializing—based on feedback from more than 18,000 residents across over 100 cities worldwide.
In the category of the most affordable cities to live and play, Hanoi ranked behind Medellín and Bogotá in Colombia, Beijing in China, New Orleans in the United States, and Naples in Italy. The ranking reflects perceptions of affordability for activities such as dining at restaurants, having coffee, and enjoying nightlife, rather than housing or daily groceries.
The result aligns closely with the on-the-ground experience of many international visitors. Travel bloggers and digital nomads frequently describe Hanoi as a “budget paradise,” where travelers can stretch their money without sacrificing cultural depth or quality of life. Central hostels often cost the equivalent of just a few US dollars per night, while street food meals remain among the most affordable—and celebrated—anywhere in Asia.
Long-stay travelers echo this view. Digital nomads note that a backpacker can live comfortably in Hanoi on roughly VND 600,000 (about USD 25) per day, covering accommodation in shared rooms, three street-food meals, and basic transport by foot or public transit. This combination of affordability and richness has helped position Hanoi as a leading destination for slow travel and extended stays.
At the other end of the spectrum, Seoul was ranked the world’s most expensive city for leisure activities, with only 30% of residents considering dining out affordable. Other high-cost cities included Oslo, London, and Stockholm. Interestingly, while London was rated among the most expensive for nightlife, it scored highly for affordability in arts and cultural experiences.
Time Out’s methodology focused on residents’ perceptions of how “cheap or free” and “affordable” their city’s leisure activities are, deliberately excluding housing and daily essentials to isolate the cost of urban enjoyment.
For Hanoi, the ranking reinforces a broader narrative: Vietnam’s capital is not only culturally rich and historically layered, but also one of the rare global cities where affordability and quality coexist—an increasingly powerful advantage as travelers worldwide become more value-conscious.
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Source: Vietnam Insider