Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Hong Kong?
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 Hong Kong can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.
Which city is cheaper, Hong Kong or Ho Chi Minh City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $71, while the average daily cost in Hong Kong is $128. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $86 in Ho Chi Minh City For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Hong Kong can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $60, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $120.
Food
The average traveler spends about $13 per day in Ho Chi Minh City for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
In Hong Kong travelers spend around $26 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Ho Chi Minh City $13
Hong Kong $26
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:
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Ho Chi Minh Private Half Day Street Food Tour with Local Students:
$18
-
SaiGon Street Food Tour By Scooter With Student:
$22
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Walking Food Tour With Local Student:
$26
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Private Street Food Tour on Motorbikes:
$28
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Private Half-Day Ho Chi Minh Food Tour with Local Students:
$28
-
Saigon Food Tour by Motorbike with Local Students:
$30
-
Walking market food tour by night in Ho Chi Minh city - private groups:
$32
-
Street food Tours:
$35
-
Small Floating Market & Mekong Delta Tour with Kayak, Boat, Bike, Cooking Class:
$35
-
Private Street Food Tour by Scooter in Ho Chi Minh City:
$35
-
Half-Day Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour By Motorbike:
$36
-
Private Walking Saigon Food Tour with Ao Dai Girl by Night:
$38
Typical Food prices in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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E-Ticket: Symphony of Lights Dinner Cruise and Free Transfer:
$64
-
2-Hour Dinner & Shows on Victoria Harbour Night Cruise:
$81
-
Hong Kong Market Tour and Cantonese Cooking Class with a Local Chef:
$154
-
Private Food Tour: The Best Bites of Mongkok:
$204
-
Private Food Tour: The Best Bites of Hong Kong Island:
$204
-
Private Romantic Dinner for 2 on Luxury Yacht:
$1,549
Local Transportation
Ho Chi Minh City's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $13 per person, per day on transportation in Ho Chi Minh City.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Hong Kong than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $7.01 on transportation in Hong Kong on average per day.
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
$1.54
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Taxi From Airport
$8.80
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Cyclo Ride (One Hour)
$1.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer Tan Son Nhat Airport to Mui Ne (Beach resort):
$150
-
The Mist Dance Show In Saigon With Roundtrip Transfer:
$48
-
Taxi Transfers from Ho Chi Minh To Cat Tien Park:
$110
-
Taxi Transfers From Ho Chi Minh Airport to Muine:
$99
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Taxi Transfers From Ho Chi Minh Airport To Can Tho:
$108
-
Taxi Transfers From Ho Chi Minh Airport To Cai Be:
$85
-
Taxi Transfer From Ho Chi Minh Airport To Ben Tre:
$79
-
Tan Son Nhat International Airport Transfer:
$23
-
Saigon Private Airport Transfer:
$17
-
Saigon Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Center Private Transfer:
$20
-
Sai Gon Airport Departure Private Transfer:
$42
-
Round-trip Private Transfer Ho Chi Minh - Vung Tau (7 Seats Car):
$108
Typical Local Transportation prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hong Kong
Also for Hong Kong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
3-Day Private Hong Kong Tour with Hotel and Round-trip Airport Transfer:
$919
-
3-Night Regal Kowloon Hotel Package with Airport Transfer and Tours:
$695
-
3-Night Regal HongKong Hotel Package with Airport Transfer, Tours and E-Tickets:
$598
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3-Night West Hotel Hong Kong Package with Airport Transfer and Tours:
$485
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Hong Kong to Guangzhou & Fushan Private Transfer:
$422
-
Shanghai Disneyland and Courtyard by Marriott Package with Transfers:
$389
-
Private Arrival Transfer - Hong Kong Airport to Macau Island:
$248
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Private Hong Kong To Shenzhen Transfer with Sightseeing:
$235
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Hong Kong Private Transfer to Macau hotel over Bridge:
$208
-
Private Arrival Transfer - Hong Kong Airport to Zhuhai:
$198
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Hong Kong to Shenzhen Airport Private Departure Transfer:
$193
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Lantau Island Cable Car Tour and Tai O Boat Ride with Ferry Transfers from Macau:
$179
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Hong Kong?
Prices for flights to both Hong Kong 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Ho Chi Minh City can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $18 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing expenses in Hong Kong, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $76 per day, per person.
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.
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"The Intimate Saigon" by day (city half-day tour):
$50
-
"The Intimate Saigon" by night (food tasting tour):
$59
-
1 Day Fishing Adventure Private Tour:
$125
-
1 Day Saigon Culinary Private Tour:
$147
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1-day Cai Rang Floating Market With Sweet Chocolate Taste Private Tour:
$187
-
1-day Ho Chi Minh city and Cu Chi tunnels group tour:
$45
-
1-day My Tho boat trip in Mekong Delta group tour from Ho Chi Minh:
$33
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10 days 9 nights classic Vietnam tour from South to North:
$545
-
10-day Small-Group Vietnam Highlight Tour:
$1,374
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2 Days - HCM City Tour & Floating Market:
$229
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2 Days Private Non-Touristic Local Homestay in Tra On: Mekong Delta:
$195
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2 Days and 1 Night Private Mekong Delta Tour from Saigon:
$202
Typical Entertainment prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1-Hour Guided Boat Tour Through Aberdeen Harbour in Hong Kong:
$70
-
3-in-1: Peak Tram, Madame Tussauds & Sky Terrace E-Tickets:
$53
-
4-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour:
$237
-
5-Hour Hiking Tour in The Green to Lion Rock in Hong Kong:
$90
-
5-Hour Private Customized Walking Tour in Hong Kong:
$268
-
6 hours worth seeing scenery in Hong Kong Island Private Tour by limo:
$395
-
6-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour:
$294
-
6-Hours Worth-Seeing Scenery in Kowloon Peninsula Private Tour By Limo:
$124
-
8-Hour Private Hong Kong Layover Tour:
$359
-
A Food Adventure in Hong Kong with a Local Foodie:
$2.64
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All inclusive VIP tickets for HKJC horse race SHATIN including pickup from hotel:
$264
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Authentic Home Visit Tour in Hong Kong:
$82
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Ho Chi Minh City, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $7.04.
Typically, people visiting Hong Kong spend on average $17 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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 Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. And not only is Ho Chi Minh City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ho Chi Minh City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ho Chi Minh City 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 Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong than you might in Ho Chi Minh City.
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