Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Chennai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chennai or Ho Chi Minh City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chennai 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: Chennai or Ho Chi Minh City?
Chennai
Formerly known as Madras from its colonial history, Chennai today is one of India's largest cities and capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Bay of Bengal in southeastern India with an extensive stretch of sandy beaches, plenty of dining and shopping, a number of historic temples, monuments, and churches, plus amusement parks and more.
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 Adventure Tours to India, The Best Sightseeing Tours in India, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChennai $29Ho Chi Minh City $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Chennai is $29, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $81. 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 Chennai and Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChennai $15Ho Chi Minh City $49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChennai $30Ho Chi Minh City $98
Compare Hotels in Chennai and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Chennai 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: Chennai Hotel Prices and Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chennai $2.61Ho Chi Minh City $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chennai
Also for Chennai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Full Day Tour to Kanchipuram and UNESCO's Mahabalipuram with Private Transfer: $246
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai Airport (MAA) to Pondicherry Hotels: $145
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chennai International Airport to Hotel: $40
- Private Transfer from Chennai City to Chennai (MAA) Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Chennai (MAA) Airport to Chennai City: $37
- Bangalore - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $35
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chennai International Airport: $28
- Chennai International Airport to Hotel-Private Arrival transfer: $25
- Affordable Chennai Airport Transfer: $24
- Chennai - Private Arrival Transfer - From Airport to Hotel: $20
- Departure Transfer from Chennai Hotels to Chennai airport: $20
- Departure transfer: Chennai hotels to Chennai International Airport: $19
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$1.40
-
Taxi From Airport$7.99
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh Transfer 5-Days Trip by Private Car: $613
- Private taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh: $358
- Private Taxi Transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh: $358
- Private Taxi transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh: $358
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City: $358
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Phnom Penh: $290
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Nha Trang Cang Pha Vinpearl : $273
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Nha Trang: $273
- Private Transfer: Ho Chi Minh City - Chau Doc/Rach Gia: $268
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Cam Ranh: $259
- Private Transfer: Ho Chi Minh City Center/ Airport - Mui Ne/Phan Thiet: $258
- Private Transfer from Cam Ranh to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $245
Is it cheaper to fly into Chennai or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Chennai 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 dayChennai $6.40Ho Chi Minh City $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chennai
For Chennai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2 Hour Street Food Tour in Sowcarpet Chennai : $37
- Private In-Home Vegetarian Cooking Class and Meal in Chennai: $46
- Private Vegetarian South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai : $48
- South Indian Cooking Class in Chennai with a Passionate Baker: $48
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class in Chennai with Menna: $54
- South Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class Near the Chennai airport: $62
- Traditional Tamil Brahmin Vegetarian Cooking Lesson with a Local in Her Home: $74
- Authentic South Indian Cooking Class and Vegetarian Meal with a Local in Chennai: $122
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.27
-
Pizza$5.19
-
Sweet Rice$1.20
-
Pork Sandwich$0.60
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.78
-
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:
- Saigon Unseen & Food Tour By scooter w Student | Saigon Adventure: $19
- Private Walking Food Tour with Local Students : $26
- Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour By Motorbike (Unique & Authentic): $26
- Saigon: Backstreets Private Walking Food Tour & 10 Tastings: $27
- Food Tour by Scooter with Eleven Tastings: $27
- Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $28
- Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour By Motorbike/Car + Sightseeing + Fun: $28
- Private Walking Food Tour with 13 Tastings: $28
- Ho Chi Minh: Original Walking Street Food Tour With Local: $29
- Private Half-Day Ho Chi Minh Food Tour with Local Students: $29
- Ho Chi Minh: Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour With Local: $29
- Ho Chi Minh City Food Tour: $29
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chennai $2.77Ho Chi Minh City $20
Tours and Activities in Chennai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chennai.
- St Thomas Mount Tour Chennai: $85
- Agra Taj Tour from Chennai: $220
- Auroville and Pondicherry Tour from Chennai: $44
- Bazaar Walking tour in George Town: $35
- Best Of Chennai- Classic Tour on Royal Enfield Motorcycle: $160
- Bicycle tour in Mahabalipuram with transport from Chennai,lunch & guide: $99
- Birds & Beyond: Chennai to Pulicat Bird Sanctuary Day Tour: $135
- British Architecture Walk in Chennai by Wonder tours: $49
- Chennai Cultural Walking Tour: $26
- Chennai Food Tasting Trails (2 Hour Guided Tour Experience): $26
- Chennai Full Day Guided Tour in a Private Car: $110
- Chennai Full Day Sightseeing in a Private Car: $67
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:
-
Massage$5.59
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- From Ho Chi Minh to Mui Ne 3 Days Tour | 4 Star Beach Resort : $170
- Mekong Delta Discovery Day Tour - My Tho - Ben Tre: $46
- Mui Ne,Fairy Spring, Sand dunes, Fishing Village, Private Tour: $290
- Non-Touristy Mekong Delta with Biking in Ben Tre Private Tour: $40
- Private Tour Water Puppet Show And Cruise Tour On Saigon River : $65
- 'Cost-Saving' Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta 1-Day Tour: $65
- 'Cost-Saving' Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta 1-Day Tour: $54
- 02 - Days: Experience The Real Mekong Delta By Bike & Boat.: $220
- 02 -Days: Experience Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta.: $220
- 1 Day Luxury Tour of Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels by Mini Van: $48
- 1 Round Ho Chi Minh City bus Tour + Saigon Skydeck Pass: $20
- 1-Day Explore Non-Touristy Side Of Mekong Delta Group 10 Max: $131
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChennai $3.08Ho Chi Minh City $7.98
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:
-
Beer$0.40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chennai and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. And not only is Chennai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chennai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chennai 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 Chennai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chennai Expensive? and Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chennai or Ho Chi Minh City?
Chennai has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Ho Chi Minh City. When comparing the sizes of Chennai 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.