Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Ho Chi Minh City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Melaka?
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 Melaka can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Melaka?
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.
Melaka
Melaka (or Malacca) is a large city on the western coast of Malaysia about half way between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. This historical city grew up as a result of trading in the region due to its position on the namesake Straights of Malacca, a natural waterway formed from the peninsula of Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia.
-
Ho Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam PricesMelaka Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHo Chi Minh City $87Melaka $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $87, while the average daily cost in Melaka is $33. 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 Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHo Chi Minh City $48Melaka $9.67
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHo Chi Minh City $96Melaka $19
Compare Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Melaka? 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 and Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $15Melaka $2.12
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$1.33
-
Taxi From Airport$7.60
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City: $358
- Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Mui Ne - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $278
- Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $259
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Phang Rang Thap Cham: $251
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Ca Mau: $243
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Ha Tien Pier: $243
- Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Mui Ne - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $231
- Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Vung Tau Round-Trip Private Transfer: $217
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Soc Trang: $211
- Private Car Transfer Phong Nha to Hue (stops at Vinh Moc and DMZ): $200
- Golden Bridge, Marble mount, guide, lunch, transfer from Cruises: $199
- Private Transfer: Ho Chi Minh City Center to Mui Ne: $196
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
-
Taxi$4.83
-
Bus Ride$0.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka
Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Ipoh Transfer [Car]: $239
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Subang Jaya city: $234
- Sit Back & Relax - Malacca to Kuala Lumpur MPV Transfer: $191
- Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $168
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Ipoh Transfer [Van]: $98
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Taman Negara Transfer [Van]: $83
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $73
- Private Transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) to Malacca Port: $64
- Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka 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 $23Melaka $21
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)$4.07
-
Pizza$4.94
-
Sweet Rice$1.14
-
Pork Sandwich$0.57
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.45
-
Western Lunch (for Two)$11
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 City Street Food Tour with Local LGBT Student Guide: $1.87
- Ho Chi Minh City Local Street Food Tour With Local Students: $1.87
- Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: $15
- 1 hour Egg Coffee Cooking Class with Snack and Local Instructor: $15
- Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking: $16
- HCM:Mekong Delta Boat,Khotcake cooking Coconut Village,SmallGroup: $16
- Cu Chi Tunnels & Countryside Cooking Class with Organic Farm: $20
- Saigon Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By scooter with Student: $20
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour & Sightseeing By Motorbike: $26
- Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour and Vietnamese Coffee: $27
- Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $28
- Authentic Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $29
Typical Food Prices in Melaka
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$7.25
-
Dinner at the Market (for Two)$3.14
-
Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.45
-
Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.21
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$7.73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Melaka Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Rempah Routes Melaka Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Small Group Melaka After Dark Food Tour: $74
- Private Traditional Peranakan & Malay Cooking Class in Melaka: $95
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $19Melaka $4.10
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$5.32
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- 'Cost-Saving' Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta 1-Day Tour: $59
- 1 Day Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Private Adventure: $156
- 1 Day Mekong Delta to Cai Be from Ho Chi Minh City Tour: $45
- 1 Day Private Cai Rang Floating Market and My Tho Boat Tour: $150
- 1 Day Small Group Tour in Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta: $89
- 1 Hour Saigon River Tour in Ho Chi Minh: $13
- 1-Day City Tour: Saigon Chinatown, Must-See Icons & Cyclo Ride: $128
- 1-day Ho Chi Minh city and Cu Chi tunnels group tour: $46
- 1-day Mekong Delta Tour: Cai Be Market, Local Island and Cycling: $125
- 1-day My Tho boat trip in Mekong Delta group tour from Ho Chi Minh: $34
- 12 Street Food with Seafood on Scooter Tour Ho Chi Minh: $51
- 2 Day Mekong Delta Adventure and Floating Market Tour: $99
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Maritime Museum Entrance$0.73
-
Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$4.83
-
Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$11
-
Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.42
-
Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.69
-
Low Cost Kite$0.73
-
Malacca Duck Tour$9.67
-
Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.42
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- *13 Hrs Best of Melaka Full Day Flexible Van Tour w' Tour Guide: $84
- Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre: $15
- From Kuala Lumpur Full Day A'Famosa Theme Park Experience: $40
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Top Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $328
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Tour Guide & Baba Nyonya Lunch: $180
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malaysia Melaka - Breakout Escape Game E-Ticket: $12
- Malaysia: A'famosa Melaka Ticket: $17
- Malaysia: Melaka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $7.15
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHo Chi Minh City $7.59Melaka $8.38
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$0.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Make Your Own Gin Experience and Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $29
- Bike And Craft Beer Brewery Mekong Delta Cycling Tour: $152
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ho Chi Minh City and Melaka, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. And not only is Melaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Melaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Melaka 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 Melaka.
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 Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Melaka?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Melaka, 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.