Should you visit Beirut or Ho Chi Minh City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beirut and Ho Chi Minh City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Beirut or Ho Chi Minh City?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
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.
Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $13, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $84. 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 Beirut and Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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:
Beirut Hotel Prices and
Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
4-Day Lebanon Tour from Beirut with Airport Transfer:
$435
-
Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine:
$204
-
Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers:
$86
-
Private Transfer from Beirut to Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport:
$45
-
Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut:
$45
-
Private Arrival Transfer: From Airport to your hotel in Beirut:
$20
-
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport:
$18
-
Private Departure Transfer: From your hotel in Beirut to Airport:
$18
-
Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel:
$18
-
Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel:
$15
-
Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer:
$13
-
BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer:
$10
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:
-
Short Taxi Ride
$1.44
-
Taxi From Airport
$8.24
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)
$1.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Vinpearl Resort & Spa Long Beach to Nha Trang - Private Transfer:
$20
-
Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cam Ranh HTL-APT (CXR):
$24
-
Try find better than us! Airport Transfer in Ho Chi Minh HTL-APT (SGN):
$15
-
Try find better than us! Airport Transfer in Ho Chi Minh APT-HTL (SGN):
$15
-
Transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Airport Tan Sơn Nhat:
$23
-
Transfer - Ho Chi Minh Airport to Center:
$16
-
The Anam Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer:
$20
-
Tan Son Nhat International Airport Transfer:
$23
-
Tan Son Nhat Airport: Private Transfer to/from Ho Chi Minh:
$22
-
Tan Son Nhat Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Ho Chi Minh City:
$17
-
Tan Son Airport Arrival Private Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City:
$32
-
Swandor Cam Ranh Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer:
$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Beirut 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
-
Food
Meals for one day
Beirut $4.25
Ho Chi Minh City $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon:
$30
-
Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class :
$40
-
Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist:
$72
-
Private Traditional Lebanese Cooking with a Local Family in Byblos:
$85
-
Private Lebanese Home Cooking Class in Byblos with a Local Family:
$86
-
Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut:
$100
-
Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal and Hotel Transfers:
$142
Typical Food prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
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 Motorbike Food Tour:
$5.00
-
Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour:
$15
-
Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour by Motorbike/ Car with Student :
$19
-
12 Tasting Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour By Motorbike +Sightseeing:
$24
-
4-Hour Private Saigon Food Tour on Scooter by Night:
$25
-
Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour By Motorbike with Local Student:
$25
-
Private Street Food Tour by Motorbike/Car with Local Students:
$25
-
Saigon Small-Group/Private Eleven-Tastings Food Tour by Scooters:
$26
-
Super Yummy Street Food Tour with Local Host by Scooter or Car:
$26
-
Top Niche Walking Street Food Tour with Uni Student:
$27
-
Private Street Food Tour on Motorbikes:
$27
-
Walking Street Food Tour Ho Chi Minh City:
$27
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
1 to 6 riders Private tour adventure qadeesha valley cedars of god baalbek ksara:
$160
-
2-Day Tour of Jeitta Grotto, Harrisa Telefrique and Byblos City:
$90
-
3 Days Lebanon Holiday Tour Package:
$250
-
3 days tour package : Jeita grotto-Byblos-Baalbek & Beirut tour:
$295
-
3-Day Tour Highlights of Lebanon from Beirut with Pickup:
$380
-
3-Day Tour of Beirut with Pick Up:
$250
-
4 Days Private Highlights Tour of Lebanon with Airport Pickup:
$310
-
4-Day Lebanon Sightseeing Tour with Airport Pick Up:
$425
-
4-Day Tour Highlights of Lebanon from Beirut with Pickup:
$425
-
5-Day Highlights of Lebanon Tour from Beirut with Pickup:
$590
-
5-Day Lebanon Sightseeing Tour from Beirut :
$590
-
6-Day Highlights of Lebanon Tour from Beirut with Pickup:
$770
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:
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
-
5 days Southern Vietnam tour :
$569
-
Cu Chi Tunnels half day tours:
$39
-
From Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne 3 Days Tour | 4 Star Beach Resort :
$170
-
Half Day Private Tour in Ho Chi Minh City:
$70
-
Mekong Delta Discovery Day Tour - My Tho - Ben Tre:
$46
-
Mekong Delta Discovery Luxury Day Tours:
$49
-
Mekong Vespa Tour 5 hours:
$92
-
Non-Touristy Mekong Delta with Biking in Ben Tre Private Tour:
$40
-
Private Mekong Delta 1 Day Tour:
$65
-
Private Mekong Tour 2 days: Ben Tre coconut town & Cai Rang floating market:
$234
-
SHORE EXCURSION from CHAN MAY Port to visit HOI AN CITY & HOI AN VILLAGE TOUR :
$150
-
Saigon Vegetarian Tour by Motorbike and Scooter:
$39
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut:
$59
-
Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting :
$60
-
Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries:
$60
-
Private Wine Tasting Tour:
$65
-
Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in The Bekaa Valley:
$75
-
Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour at Chateau Musar and Ixsir :
$75
-
Full Day Deluxe Wine Tour in Lebanon:
$84
-
From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour:
$90
-
Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour :
$100
-
Private Wine Tasting Day Tour from Beirut:
$100
-
Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery:
$100
-
Private Tour to Baalbek, Hike in Chouf & Wine Tasting :
$120
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:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Beirut.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is bigger, and its population is about 81% larger than the population of Beirut. When comparing the population of Beirut vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.
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