Save as much as possible in Hanoi
 

I’m having a plan to visit Hanoi this October. I’m a student and this is the first time I travel alone with some money I saved from part-time job. I’ve heard that everything in Vietnam is kinda cheap. Is it possible to find a hotel, or guesshouse with less than $20/night? Please give me some tips of experience to save as much as possible, so that I can experience longer. Anything will do.

Thank you very much.

You can find Double room with only 15 $ around the old quarter. so many, If you would like I can recommend to you some hotels with that price
Taxi from the airport to center costs 15$ too, or can order minibus of Vietnam airlines with 2$ ( I am not sure but around )and arrive to Quang Trung street then taxi to your hotel.
For free visiting to Hanoi city, Hanoi kids provides many free student guides
From Hanoi cneter, you can travel to many close place like Halong Bay ( 1 day, 2 days, 3 days ), Perfume pagoda 1 day, Halu - Tam Coc 1 day, Sapa Trekking by bus or train From 2 days up

It’s not hard to find a hotel with less than $20/night. But I’m not sure about service quality. Most of budget hotel are small and very noisy. The staffs are friendly but not very professional (some of them can’t speak English). Their breakfast is acceptable. I think it’s ok if you just want to get experience, not a relaxing holiday.

With $20 per night maybe you can consider a homestay? I stayed here during my trip https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6705883 and although it was not too close to the city center, I could borrow a bicycle from the landlady and ride to West lake, which was a nice spot and local's favorite.
I have also booked here a free motorbike tour: https://www.facebook.com/hanoimotorbikecitytour?fref=ts
These guys are running a Hanoi Motorbike city tour project and need feedbacks from guests, which is why they are offering free rides to travellers for a certain period of time. I'm not sure if they're still offering this free option (at least they sill did last week), but anyway the tour price was surprisingly low compared to other tour companies. I took a half-day tour at only $19. Great fun!

There are plenty of decent places to stay in Hanoi for <$20. For that you should get a clean comfortable room with en suite facilities. As you are travelling alone, if you would like to meet some fellow travellers consider a dorm in a backpacker type hostel. There are lots in the city.

http://www.travelfish.org/accommodat...anoi/hanoi/all Is a good resource for accommodation and general info. Also check out www.booking.com and www.hostelworld.com