10 budget eating worth the trip across Vietnam, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All Vietnam guides.
Bia Hơi Corner Ta Hien ★ 4.6 · Hanoi
old-quarter · Ta Hien at Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Hanoi's Bia Hoi Corner at Ta Hien and Luong Ngoc Quyen is one of Asia's cheapest beer junctions, with fresh draft at 10,000-15,000 VND on plastic stools.
Tip: Bring small notes. The corner closes at 23:00 when police clear the pavement; the bia hoi crowd then walks to bun dau or pho.
Banh Mi 25 ★ 4.6 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 25 Hang Ca, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Banh Mi 25 in Hanoi serves the Old Quarter's most-photographed banh mi at 30,000-40,000 VND, with two pork, three chicken, two beef and four vegetarian.
Tip: Three counters at 25, 30 and 32 Hang Ca. Card accepted; eat on the pavement benches.
Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn ★ 4.6 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 49 Bat Dan, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan in Hanoi is the Old Quarter's Michelin Bib Gourmand pho house, with bowls at 60,000-80,000 VND and self-service from queue to seat.
Tip: Closes mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Cash only; carry small bills.
Xôi Yến ★ 4.4 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 35B Nguyen Huu Huan, Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Xoi Yen in Hanoi sells turmeric sticky rice with savoury toppings for under 50,000 VND on Nguyen Huu Huan, open from dawn to 01:00 the next morning.
Tip: Cash only and small bills work best. Takeaway parcels wrapped in banana leaves.
Bánh Cuốn Gia Truyền ★ 4.4 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 14 Hang Ga, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Banh Cuon Gia Truyen in Hanoi plates silky rice rolls with pork and wood-ear mushroom for 40,000-60,000 VND on Hang Ga, steamed to order since 1973.
Tip: Breakfast and lunch only; closed mid-afternoon. Cash only, plates run 40-60,000 VND.
Bún Bò Nam Bộ Bách Phương ★ 4.3 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 73-75 Hang Dieu, Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Bun Bo Nam Bo on Hang Dieu has served one dish at 60,000 VND since 1986: rice noodles with stir-fried beef, herbs, peanuts and crispy shallots in nuoc cham.
Tip: Long metal tables; share with strangers and pass the herbs along. Cash only and small bills.
Phở Cuốn Hương Mai ★ 4.2 · Hanoi
ba-dinh · 25-27 Ngu Xa, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Pho Cuon Huong Mai on Ngu Xa runs the rolled-pho strip near Truc Bach Lake for 60,000-100,000 VND a plate, with fresh sheets wrapped around beef.
Tip: Whole Ngu Xa block runs the same dish; if Huong Mai is full, the next counter does it for the same price.
Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm Cô Tuyến ★ 4.2 · Hanoi
old-quarter · 31 Hang Khay, Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Bun Dau Mam Tom Co Tuyen serves the Old Quarter's most-recommended bun dau plate for 60,000-90,000 VND, with fried tofu, rice noodles and pork on Khay.
Tip: Cash only. The mam tom shrimp paste is assertive; ask staff to balance with lime and sugar.
Cộng Cà Phê ★ 4.2 · Hanoi
hai-ba-trung · 152D Trieu Viet Vuong, Bui Thi Xuan, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Cong Cà Phê serves Vietnam's most-copied coconut coffee for under 60,000 VND across nearly 100 stores; the Trieu Viet Vuong original opened in 2007.
Tip: Trieu Viet Vuong is the origin store and historic cafe street. Whole bean retail to take home.
Bún Chả Hương Liên ★ 4.1 · Hanoi
hai-ba-trung · 24 Le Van Huu, Phan Chu Trinh, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Bun Cha Huong Lien in Hanoi sells the Combo Obama set for 130,000 VND: a bowl of bun cha, a fried seafood spring roll and a Hanoi beer pairing.
Tip: Cash and card. The Obama-Bourdain table is preserved in glass on the second floor.