Which place is cheaper, Las Vegas or Ho Chi Minh City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Las Vegas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Ho Chi Minh City is a chaotic, vibrant, and colorful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.
Las Vegas is a ritzy, colorful, and sinful entertainment capital. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Las Vegas than Ho Chi Minh City. While Ho Chi Minh City is larger than Las Vegas, Las Vegas has more sights and attractions for tourists. Las Vegas is better known for its theatre productions, music, and resorts, while Ho Chi Minh City is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Las Vegas is more touristy than Ho Chi Minh City and is popular for its magnificent resorts, world-class nightlife, all-you-can-eat buffets, and long running productions. Also, Las Vegas is famous for The Strip. Ho Chi Minh City is well known for its motorbike-filled streets, bustling markets, world-class cuisine, and diverse shopping opportunities.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Las Vegas and Ho Chi Minh City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Ho Chi Minh City is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Las Vegas is not as famous, but is still a good entertainment capital to visit for its museums and history.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Ho Chi Minh City that are not to be missed. It's a day trip outside of town, but the Cu Chi Tunnels are a must-see stop for any visitor. The War Remnants Museum is also a not-to-be-missed spot. Other highlights of the city include Thiên Hau Temple, the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, the Saigon Opera House, and the Reunification Palace.
Las Vegas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Just wander along the Strip and pop in to any of the hotels to see what makes this city unique. There are many replicas of iconic landmarks around the world including the Venetian canals and the Eiffel Tower. You can also check out the Mob Museum, the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, and the Neon Museum.
Las Vegas is a world-class destination for its shows and theatre. Also, Ho Chi Minh City is not as popular, but is still a nice city for theatre.
The theater scene in Las Vegas is world-class. Long running shows along with traveling Broadway productions make the theater scene here diverse and entertaining.
Ho Chi Minh City offers a number of shows and performances. Water puppetry is a traditional art form that originated in the rural areas and was brought to the city. It is a fun cultural experience that kids and adults both enjoy. You can see it at The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre.
Foodies will find both Ho Chi Minh City and Las Vegas both to be first-rate destinations.
Ho Chi Minh City has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. This city, arguably, has some of the best food in Vietnam. You'll find everything from food stalls selling mouthwatering street food to luxury restaurants preparing traditional dishes with a modern twist. Banh Mi (a Vietnamese sandwich) and Pho (Vietnamese soup) are the most well known dishes around town, but also try the Bún mắm (a noodle dish) and Bún bò Huế (a beef based soup).
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Las Vegas is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It has become famous for it's all-you-can-eat buffets, which you'll find in almost every hotel along the strip. To fully experience the sin of gluttony, head for one of the more luxurious hotels, which have the more expensive, but also higher quality buffets. Celebrity chefs have also opened many five star restaurants around town that you must try.
The vibe at night is first-rate in both Ho Chi Minh City and Las Vegas.
People head to Ho Chi Minh City just to party. The city never settles down and you'll find all night parties and dance clubs open into the early hours. Backpackers keep the energy high, but there are also luxury clubs and more relaxed places where you can have a good night out if the backpacker thing isn't your scene.
The nightlife in Las Vegas is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. From posh dance clubs to glitzy cocktail bars, its nightlife scene puts this city on the map. Many people forget to sleep here, whether they're gambling away their money, checking out a world class show, or partying in one of the many clubs.
Las Vegas is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Ho Chi Minh City is not a live music destination.
Las Vegas has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. There are a number of long running shows as well as frequent musicians that pass through. There are also free live concerts and music festivals throughout the year.
Ho Chi Minh City is not a live music destination.
Las Vegas is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Ho Chi Minh City is not a resort destination.
If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Las Vegas is a perfect choice. Along the strip you'll find world class resorts with casinos, shops, theaters, and all kinds of entertainment venues. Many resorts have a detailed décor that immerses you in an ambiance that unique from the world outside. Top rated resorts include the Bellagio, the Wynn, and Park MGM.
Ho Chi Minh City is not a resort destination.
If you're looking to go shopping, Ho Chi Minh City and Las Vegas both offer plenty of first-rate spots.
Many people travel to Ho Chi Minh City specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with a mix of modern shopping centers and local shops selling traditional items. You'll find international brands as well as uniquely Vietnamese products. The city also has some of the best boutique shopping opportunities in Southeast Asia.
Las Vegas is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city's shopping scene combines high end brands with a style that is uniquely Las Vegas. Many hotels have their own malls or shopping areas where you can buy designer names or visit flagship stores.
Ho Chi Minh City is very popular for its family-friendly activities. However, Las Vegas is a mediocre entertainment capital for its kid-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, Ho Chi Minh City is very family-friendly. Kids may feel overwhelmed at first, but they're sure to fall in love with the energy and kid-friendly activities in this city. There are traditional water puppet shows, kid-friendly restaurants, and fun parks. There's also the Suoi Tien Theme Park, smaller water parks, zoos, and art museums to explore.
Las Vegas is not always a place people visit with their families. The city is more known for its adult entertainment options than as a family-friendly destination, but there are good kid-friendly activities around town including kid-oriented shows, the Fun Dungeon in the Excalibur, and thrilling rides that are great for all ages.
Las Vegas is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Ho Chi Minh City is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
For those traveling as a couple, Las Vegas has plenty to offer. The city has become a mecca for weddings - whether impromptu or luxuriously planned out. With it's glamourous resorts and wide variety of entertainment options, couples can enjoy a fun-filled visit here.
Ho Chi Minh City is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you're looking for a vibrant cultural scene with excellent restaurants, great parks, and countless day trips, this is the ultimate couple's getaway.
Ho Chi Minh City is very popular for backpackers. However, Las Vegas is a mediocre entertainment capital for backpackers and budget travelers.
Ho Chi Minh City is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's well established on the Southeast Asian backpacker's circuit and you'll find no shortage of hostels in town. You'll find a good number of backpackers in District 1 of the city, near Ben Thanh Market. Many backpackers also arrange trips to the Mekong Delta or elsewhere in Thailand while they're here.
Las Vegas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most visitors are not backpackers, but for those who want to experience the hype while sticking to a budget, there are a handful of hostels around town.
Ho Chi Minh City is a good destination for students. However, Las Vegas is not popular with students.
Ho Chi Minh City is a good city to visit for students. Study abroad students appreciate the city's energy and plethora of activities. It also makes a good base for trips to other parts of Southeast Asia.
Las Vegas is not popular with students.
Ho Chi Minh City and Las Vegas both offer respectable public transit to get you around.
Public transit is mostly limited in Ho Chi Minh City. There are public buses around town but motorbike taxis and regular taxis are likely your best bet for getting around.
Public transit is generally limited in Las Vegas. Many visitors use the Monorail to get around the Strip and the touristy areas. There's also a bus system that travels throughout the city.
Ho Chi Minh City and Las Vegas are notable when it comes to walkability.
Ho Chi Minh City is a somewhat walkable city. In certain neighborhoods it's fairly walkable, but you may have to dodge a motorbike here or there.
Las Vegas is somewhat walkable. The area around The Strip is very walkable and pedestrian-friendly. In this area you can access many restaurants, hotels, and casinos.
For even more information, also check out Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting? and Is Las Vegas Worth Visiting?.
Both Ho Chi Minh City and Las Vegas have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Las Vegas than in Ho Chi Minh City. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Ho Chi Minh City, and 2-7 days is enough time in Las Vegas.
Families should spend more time in Ho Chi Minh City than Las Vegas. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ho Chi Minh City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Las Vegas than Ho Chi Minh City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Las Vegas that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ho Chi Minh City than Las Vegas if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ho Chi Minh City.
People visit Ho Chi Minh City because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
You'll find theater and nightlife around the entertaining big city of Las Vegas. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This entertainment capital offers a variety of activities to choose from.
People visit Ho Chi Minh City because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
You'll find nightlife and live music around the ritzy entertainment capital of Las Vegas. If you have a weekend, this entertainment capital makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful city of Ho Chi Minh City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Las Vegas is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Ho Chi Minh City is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Las Vegas is a great place to explore. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $80, while the average daily cost in Las Vegas is $310. 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 Las Vegas in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Las Vegas? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Las Vegas:
Prices for flights to both Las Vegas 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Las Vegas.
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Las Vegas are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Las Vegas are as follows:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Las Vegas:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ho Chi Minh City and Las Vegas, we can see that Las Vegas is more expensive. And not only is Ho Chi Minh City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia and Las Vegas is in North America, 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 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 Las Vegas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Las Vegas than you might in Ho Chi Minh City.
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 Las Vegas Expensive?.
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Las Vegas. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Las Vegas, 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.