Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Aswan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City?
Aswan
Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.
Ho Chi Minh City
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
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Aswan Prices
Egypt PricesHo Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAswan $27Ho Chi Minh City $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $27, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $89. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Aswan and Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAswan $8.97Ho Chi Minh City $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAswan $18Ho Chi Minh City $98
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Aswan Hotel Prices and Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aswan $4.92Ho Chi Minh City $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:
- Private Transfer Round Trip To Abu Simbel From Aswan: $300
- VIP Private Transfer Aswan to Hurghada: $220
- Transfer from Aswan to Marsa alam: $215
- Private transfer from aswan Airport To Marsa alam: $198
- Exclusive Aswan to Luxor Transfer with Sightseeing Stops: $190
- Aswan to Hurghada : Private Transfer: $189
- Private Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada: $182
- Marvel 3-Days Unique Guided Tours Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor with all Transfers: $167
- Transfer from Aswan to Abu Simbel.: $166
- Aswan to Hurghada Private Door to Door Transfer: $140
- Edfu and Kom Ombo Day Tour with Luxor Transfer: $132
- Aswan Private Transfer To Luxor city: $130
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.35
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Taxi From Airport$7.74
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Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ho Chi Minh: SGN Airport Private Transfer to/from Downtown: $5.00
- Mui Ne Beach: Bus transfer from/to Saigon City: $8.00
- Ho Chi Minh: SGN Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $8.85
- Nha Trang: Bus transfer from/to Saigon City: $11
- Private transfer Tan Son Nhat airport - Hotels in Ho Chi Minh: $12
- Ho Chi Minh City airport transfer: $13
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrival Or Departure By Private Car Transfers: $13
- Grand Park Water Park & Rides Ticket with Optional Transfer: $14
- Private Car Transfer: Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang City: $14
- Can Tho: Bus transfer directly to/from Saigon City: $14
- Ho Chi Minh Airport: Private Transfer: $14
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Transfer Service: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Aswan change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAswan $13Ho Chi Minh City $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aswan.
- Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
- Night Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $42
- Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
- Cairo Nile Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $64
- Private Evening Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $75
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
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Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.14
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Pizza$5.03
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Sweet Rice$1.16
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Pork Sandwich$0.58
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.57
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Western Lunch (for Two)$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ho Chi Minh City Authentic Street Food Tour With Local Students: $7.95
- Ho Chi Minh City Local Street Food Tour With Local Students: $7.95
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour & Hidden Local Gems Sightseeing: $9.93
- HCMC: Cu Chi Tunnels & Scooter Food Tour (Up to 12 Tastings): $13
- Mekong With Cai Be Less Tourist - Cooking Class: $14
- Express Cooking Experience: $15
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour with Local LGBT Student Guide: $16
- Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking: $16
- Vietnamese Spring Roll Cooking Class: $16
- HCMC: Saigon Food Tour & Chinatown & Local Market on Scooter: $17
- Ho Chi Minh City Cyclo Ride with Lunch or Dinner Experience: $18
- Ho Chi Minh City Michelin & Street Food Tour by Motorbike or Car: $18
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aswan $8.44Ho Chi Minh City $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:
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Temple Kom Ombo for Two$1.09
Tours and Activities in Aswan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:
- 1 Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor: $206
- 2 Day Aswan Tour Abu Simbel, Philae& Nubian Village: $160
- 2 Days Private Tour in Aswan and Abu Simbel: $85
- 2-Day Luxor Small-Group Tour from Aswan with Felucca Ride: $120
- 2-Day Private Aswan & Abu Simbel Tour with Lunch & Philae Temple: $181
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Nubian Village from Aswan: $33
- 3 or 2 or 1 Nights Mighty Nile Felucca Adventure: $25
- 3-Day Tour Aswan, Abu Simbel , Luxor & Train ticket, Opt. Balloon: $280
- 4 Days Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise from cairo with FLIGHT: $120
- 4 Days Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon: $229
- 4-Day Nile Cruise sails Aswan to Luxor&Abu Simbel.Hot air Balloon: $229
- 4-Days Aswan sails Nile Cruise Luxor &Abu Simbel.Hot air Balloon: $229
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Massage$5.42
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Chinatown Hidden Treasures – Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Hidden Bunker & Vietnam War - Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Highlights & Hidden Gems - Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Ghosts & Legends of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City Night Walking Tour: $0.62
- Ho Chi Minh City private walking tours with young local volunteers: $1.83
- Hidden Jungle War Experience – The Untold Side of Saigon: $1.83
- Tan Lap Floating Village Authentic Mekong Delta Nature Tour: $1.91
- Private Long Tan Battlefield, Nui Dat Base and Vung Tau Day Tour: $1.91
- Ho Chi Minh City Flexible Private Tour with Spa, City Highlights: $1.91
- Budget-Friendly Guided Walking Tour: $1.92
- Ho Chi Minh Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.57
- Langbiang Nature Park Experience with Tickets: $4.80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAswan $0.96Ho Chi Minh City $7.73
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Beer$0.39
Sample the Local Flavors in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Rooftops, Hidden Bars & Iconic Pub Crawl: $8.07
- Make Your Own Gin Experience and Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $36
- Make-Your-Own Gin Experience & Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $36
- Saigon After Dark: Pub Crawl & Party Adventure: $69
- Bike And Craft Beer Brewery Mekong Delta Cycling Tour: $152
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aswan and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aswan is in Africa and Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Aswan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aswan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Ho Chi Minh City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ho Chi Minh City than you might in Aswan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aswan Expensive? and Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Ho Chi Minh City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.