How much does it cost to travel to Ho Chi Minh City?
You should plan to spend around $82 (d2,030,837) per day on your vacation in Ho Chi Minh City. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $14 (d355,926) on meals
- $15 (d381,792) on local transportation
- $99 (d2,460,074) on hotels
A one week trip to Ho Chi Minh City for two people costs, on average, $1,148 (d28,431,716). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Ho Chi Minh City has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Ho Chi Minh City expensive to visit?
Ho Chi Minh City is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Vietnam, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Asia, Ho Chi Minh City is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Yamaguchi or Nikko.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Ho Chi Minh City?
The average Ho Chi Minh City trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Ho Chi Minh City travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
d2,460,074
($99)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
d381,792
($15)
|
Food 2
|
d355,926
($14)
|
Entertainment 1
|
d504,127
($20)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
d134,132 -
402,396
($5 - 16)
|
Alcohol 2
|
d99,908 -
299,725
($4 - 12)
|
Accommodation Budget in Ho Chi Minh City
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City is $50 (d1,230,037). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Ho Chi Minh City is $99 (d2,460,074). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Ho Chi Minh City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Ho Chi Minh City is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $15 (d381,792) per person, per day, on local transportation in Ho Chi Minh City.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$15
d381,792
How much does it cost to go to Ho Chi Minh City? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Ho Chi Minh City will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Ho Chi Minh City are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Ho Chi Minh City, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Short Taxi Ride
d35,000
-
Taxi From Airport
d200,000
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)
d40,000
Food Budget in Ho Chi Minh City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Ho Chi Minh City can vary, the average cost of food in Ho Chi Minh City is $14 (d355,926) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Ho Chi Minh City should cost around $5.75 (d142,371) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$14
d355,926
Typical prices for Food in Ho Chi Minh City are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Ho Chi Minh City, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Entertainment Budget in Ho Chi Minh City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Ho Chi Minh City typically cost an average of $20 (d504,127) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$20
d504,127
Typical prices for Entertainment in Ho Chi Minh City are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Ho Chi Minh City, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Ho Chi Minh City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Ho Chi Minh City is $11 (d268,264) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Ho Chi Minh City is 5% - 15%.
-
Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
$11
d268,264
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Ho Chi Minh City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Ho Chi Minh City is $0.43 (d10,625), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$0.43
d10,625
Alcohol Budget in Ho Chi Minh City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $8.07 (d199,817) on alcoholic beverages in Ho Chi Minh City per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$8.07
d199,817
Typical prices for Alcohol in Ho Chi Minh City are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Ho Chi Minh City, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Water Budget in Ho Chi Minh City
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $2.26 (d55,922) on bottled water in Ho Chi Minh City per day. The public water in Ho Chi Minh City is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$2.26
d55,922
Ho Chi Minh City On a Budget
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly
Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
The city's core is where most tourists spend their time. It has many wide and elegant boulevards and beautiful historic French colonial buildings. It is estimated that about 4.3 million tourists visit Vietnam every year and about 3 million of them visit Ho Chi Minh City.
The city has a tropical climate with a tropical wet and dry climate that is divided into two distinct seasons. The rainy season is between May and October and the dry season is between December and April. The temperature is relatively consistent throughout the year with temperatures hovering around 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sights
There are many sights throughout the city, many of which serve to inform or memorialize the events of the war. The War Remnants Museum is one of the most visited sights in the city. It can be graphic at points as there are rather gruesome photos that depict the level of cruelty that occurred during the war. There is also a simulated "tiger cage" prison and jars holding deformed fetuses affected by Agent Orange. Just outside of the museum you'll see a variety of military equipment including tanks, jets, helicopters, and howitzers.
The Reunification Palace was previously the presidential palace during the war when Saigon was the capital of the Republic of Vietnam. Today it feels somewhat dated, but is interesting to see. Thien Hau Pagoda is on Nguyen Trai Street, and is dedicated to the sea goddess, Lady Thien Hau. Every March 23rd there is a festival held in her honor.
Neighborhoods
Ho Chi Minh City is divided into 24 districts. Most of the areas of interest for tourists are in the middle of the city in either District 1 or District 3. These areas have the highest concentration of sights, restaurants and hotels. If you're a budget traveler then the best neighborhood to stay in is Pham Ngu Lao, which has cheap accommodation and affordable places to eat. Dong Khoi is slightly more expensive and has slightly better amenities for visitors. A popular market area in town is Cho Lon, or The Big Market. This area has the highest concentration of Chinese residents and negotiating prices is a must.
Activities
Shopping is a favorite activity in Saigon. You can find markets that sell everything from Vietnamese arts and crafts to electronics and clothing. Remember to negotiate hard for everything, and it is best to barter in the local currency. Some of the best markets include
Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Square, Cho Binh Tay, the Night Market, and the War Surplus Market.
Other activities around town include seeing a show at the Saigon Opera House or taking a city organized tour. Cooking classes are also available.
Food and Dining
There is no shortage of restaurants in Saigon, both international and Vietnamese. Prices are relatively low in cost, but rising so it can be challenging to find the very cheap deals that once existed. You'll still get some great deals at food stalls around town. You can also pick up a delicious bowl of pho soup for very little money. Other popular local dishes include Banh Mi Thit (pork sandwiches) or Com Tam (rice with grilled pork and vegetables). Western food is usually far more expensive, so if you're on a tight budget, stick to the wonderful local cuisine. Saigon is the perfect place to start an
itinerary of Vietnam focusing on food, also. As the cuisine is diverse in this modern city, everyone can find something they like.
You'll find the highest concentration of western style restaurants along Pham Ngu Lao, with options ranging from pizza to burgers or even Mexican. The quality can be highly variable, so don't expect the styles you're accustomed to at home.
Transportation
Traveling around Ho Chi Minh City can be chaotic. You have several options including taxis, cyclos, motorbikes, and bus among other things. Like elsewhere in Vietnam, you will have to negotiate hard for a good rate on a taxi, cyclo, or motorbike ride. There are 150 public bus routes throughout the city. The buses are surprisingly comfortable and modern so this offers a cheap and reliable way to get around town. The system itself, however, is very complicated so figuring out your route can be a challenge. Motorbike taxis are everywhere and cheap. They are usually safe and helmets are now required. The driver should provide you with a helmet and you will be fined if you don't wear one. If none is provided, find another bike.
Cyclos are a popular way to get around the center of town. The passenger sits in the front seat and the cyclist is in the back. Walking can be very stressful and hazardous. There are many motorbikes and vehicles congesting the streets and the city itself is not particularly pedestrian friendly. Still, if you familiarize yourself with the driving etiquette, you can navigate your way around town on foot.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.