Hanoi named cheapest city for backpacking escape in Asia

Hanoi is named as the cheapest city in Asia for backpacking in a list of the UK-based Alpha Travel Insurance.

An street in Hanoi's Old Quarter popular with foreign tourists
An street in Hanoi's Old Quarter popular with foreign tourists

Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam also make onto the list, standing at the 3rd and 6th, respectively.

The travel insurance company said tourist’s spending a day only stands at US$18.3 in Hanoi, US$19.48 in HCM City and US$21.22 in Hoi An.

The destinations are chosen based on daily cost of accommodation, transportation, meals, drinks and attractions.

Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, ranks second in the list while Myanmar’s Yangon clinches the fourth place. The fifth place is Pokhara of Nepal.

Thailand’s Chiangmai secures the seventh place, followed by India’s New Delhi, Cambodia’s Phnom Penh and Sri Lanka’s Colombo.

In Asia, Cambodia’s Siem Reap has the most reasonable accommodation price, while Thailand’s Bangkok is known for the best prices for a meal.

Meanwhile, Tokyo is the most expensive city for backpackers.