Vietnam in general, and Hanoi in particular, are incredibly easy on the wallet. After a month in China where prices certainly are manageable (ok, take Hong Kong off that list!), we have been thrilled to find the cost of living so low in Hanoi and the rest of Vietnam. From the hotels to the food to the activities, everything is below reasonable. A nice dinner out for a family of 5, including beers for the adults, milkshakes for the kids, entrees for all and an appetizer or two comes to about $35. And the food is fantastic - healthy, fresh, full of flavor, spicy enough but not too spicy - even our pickiest eaters have had no problem finding food in Vietnam!
I expected that pho would be our saving grace - that the kids would refuse to eat food off the menu - but surprisingly I only had pho once or twice during our week-plus there. Other favorites included (no idea how to spell these!): Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls, Beef Luc Luk, Chicken or Pork with Cashew Nuts, Banh Xieo (vietnamese pancakes), Beef wrapped in Coconut Leaves, and even Brian's frog legs! Last (but certainly not least!) the Bia Hoi (locally brewed beer) has been a highlight - and at about $1/bottle, it is the best deal in town!
