Which place is cheaper, Hangzhou or Ho Chi Minh City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Hangzhou?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Hangzhou can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Hangzhou?
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.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou is a city in Eastern China, about an hour by train from Shanghai, renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. Each year it attracts more than 20 million tourists who come to see what the city has to offer. Set amongst the natural scenery of lakes and mountains, Hangzhou is modern city that coexists with the old. Historic pagodas and cultural sites built around the central lake sit like they belong amidst the skyscrapers and bustling markets of today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to China, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in China.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHo Chi Minh City $83Hangzhou $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $83, while the average daily cost in Hangzhou is $67. 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 Ho Chi Minh City and Hangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHo Chi Minh City $50Hangzhou $24
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHo Chi Minh City $100Hangzhou $48
Compare Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Hangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Hangzhou? 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: Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $16Hangzhou $8.27
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$1.42
-
Taxi From Airport$8.13
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer From Hotel in Ho Chi Minh to Airport By 7 Seats Car: $41
- Airport Transfers From Airport to Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 7 seat Car: $46
- Airport transfer Ho Chi Minh Tan Son Nhat Airport to Mui Ne: $29
- Airport transfer from TAN SON NHAT airport to HO CHI MINH: $23
- CONVENIENT AIRPORT TRANSFER by PRIVATE CAR or SCOOTERS | KissTour: $28
- Cam Ranh Riviera to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- Can Tho: Bus transfer directly to/from Saigon City: $9.76
- Da Lat: Bus transfer from/to Sai Gon with FUTA Bus Lines: $14
- Fusion Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- HCM: Cu Chi Ben Duoc Tunnel Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $23
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Thanh Hoa to Hanoi (HAN) Airport: $165
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Vinh City to Hanoi (HAN) Airport: $269
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hangzhou:
-
Local Bus for Two$0.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hangzhou:
- 2-Day Putuo Mountain Self-Guided Tour from Hangzhou by Private Transfer: $282
- Water Town and West Lake Sightseeing with Hangzhou Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $217
- Private Transfer to Yellow Mountain from Hangzhou: $196
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with stop-over at Wuzhen Water Town: $165
- Private Transfer to Putuo Mountain from Hangzhou: $165
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport To Shanghai City one way private transfer: $140
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport TransferTo Shanghai Pudong Airport: $140
- Hangzhou Private Transfer to Shanghai with Drop-off Options : $131
- Private Transfer to Shanghai Pudong Airport from Hangzhou: $129
- Enduring Memories of Hangzhou West Lake Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer: $128
- Private Transfer to Qiandao Lake from Hangzhou: $125
- Private Transfer to Yiwu City from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Hangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Hangzhou and Ho Chi Minh City 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 dayHo Chi Minh City $14Hangzhou $18
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)$4.35
-
Pizza$5.28
-
Sweet Rice$1.22
-
Pork Sandwich$0.61
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.90
-
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: Street Food Tour and The Local Life: $4.23
- Saigon Unseen & Food Tour By scooter w Student | Saigon Adventure: $20
- Saigon: City Day Sights & Local Food Tour|Opt: Ao Dai Riders: $24
- Saigon: Night Sights & Local Food Tour w Ao Dai Rider Option: $25
- Private Walking Food Tour with Local Students : $26
- Saigon: Private Backstreets Walking Food Tour & 12+ Tastings: $27
- Ho Chi Minh city Street Food Tour By Motorbike/ Car + SAFE + FUN: $27
- Saigon Evening Street Food Tour with 6 Dishes : $28
- Saigon Private/Small Group Walking Food Tour with 13 Tastings: $28
- Food Tour by Scooter with Eleven Tastings: $28
- Walking Food Tour with 13 Tastings: $28
- Private Half-Day Ho Chi Minh Food Tour with Local Students: $29
Typical Food Prices in Hangzhou
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hangzhou:
-
Breakfast Pastries$2.39
-
Pizza Hut Lunch$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hangzhou.
- All Inclusive Night Tour with Impression West Lake Show VIP Ticket and Dinner: $117
- Private Amazing Hangzhou Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner Option : $170
- Wuzhen Ancient Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner Option: $185
- Xitang Water Town Private Night Tour from Hangzhou with Dinner: $203
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $20Hangzhou $20
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$5.69
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.02
- Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.50
- Explore Mekong Delta Tour With Local Guide: $0.85
- Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.22
- Saigon Sites and Stories - Walking Tour: $4.23
- Ho chi minh: Nguyen's Royal Museum Ticket: $6.31
- Ho Chi Minh: Sights & Highlights Walking tour: $6.60
- Saigon: City Sightseeing 45-Minute Panoramic Night Tour: $7.00
- Saigon: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $7.00
- Panoramic City Bus Tour: $7.00
- Night Bus Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $7.50
- 3-Hours Trekking Tour to Hidden Waterfall and Sturgeon Farm: $8.34
Tours and Activities in Hangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Hangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- West Lake Private Tour with Boat Ride and Enduring Memories Night Show VIP Seat: $242
- 2-Day Huangshan Mountain Sunset Climb & Sunrise Camp Guided Tour from Hangzhou : $162
- 2-Day Live-in Temple Buddhist Monk Mediation Experience from Hangzhou: $252
- 3 days tour Shanghai Huangshan & Hangzhou by bullet trains: $830
- 4-Hour Hangzhou City Private Customized Tour with Options: $112
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Highlights Tour of Lingyin Temple and West Lake: $188
- 4-Hour Hangzhou Summit and Former Residence of Xueyan Hu Private Tour: $141
- 5 hours Hangzhou Tour Itinerary: $159
- A Depth-Tour to Explore Xixi Wetland Park including Fishing experience: $205
- All Inclusive Tour of Lingyin Temple and Pagoda of Six Harmonies: $199
- All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Layover Tour: $190
- All-inclusive Customized Hangzhou Private Day Tour: $216
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHo Chi Minh City $8.12Hangzhou $10
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$0.41
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ho Chi Minh City and Hangzhou, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. And not only is Hangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive? and Is Hangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Hangzhou?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Hangzhou. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Hangzhou, 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.