Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Rio de Janeiro?
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 Rio de Janeiro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Rio de Janeiro?
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.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.
Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro 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 $81, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $105. 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 Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Rio de Janeiro? 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
Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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:
-
Airport Transfer (From Hotels in Ho Chi Minh to Airport) Private 4 Seats Car:
$38
-
Airport Transfer (From Hotels in Ho Chi Minh to Airport) Private 7 Seats Car:
$47
-
Airport Transfer From Hotel in Ho Chi Minh to Airport By 4 Seats Car:
$35
-
Airport Transfer From Hotel in Ho Chi Minh to Airport By 7 Seats Car:
$41
-
Airport Transfers (Airport - Ho Chi Minh,Private 16 Seats Car):
$52
-
Airport Transfers From Airport to Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 7 seat Car:
$46
-
Airport transfer from TAN SON NHAT airport to HO CHI MINH:
$23
-
Bus transfer between Sai Gon and Da Lat - “City of Flowers”:
$27
-
CONVENIENT AIRPORT TRANSFER by PRIVATE CAR or SCOOTERS | Kiss Tours:
$28
-
Fusion Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer:
$20
-
HO CHI MINH AIRPORT: CAR 7s PICK UP <-> HOTEL (one way transfer):
$22
-
HO CHI MINH AIRPORT: Car 16s pick up <-> hotel (one way transfer):
$32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
-
From Private Transfer to São Paulo:
$650
-
2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7:
$466
-
Rio: Sambadrome Carnival Parade + transfer 2025 Sector 7:
$466
-
Rio's 2025 Carnival Parade at Sapucaí + Transfer Sector 5:
$466
-
2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5:
$466
-
Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer (Sector 7):
$466
-
Rio Carnival 2025: Sambadrome Parade + Transfer Sector 5:
$466
-
Helicopter Ride for 25 to 30min with Transfer service:
$300
-
TRANSFER VAN Rio de Janeiro x Búzios/Arraial/Cabo Frio/Angra:
$272
-
EXECUTIVE VAN Airport Transfer - Rio de Janeiro:
$250
-
Arrival Transfer: Rio GIG or SDU Airport to Angra dos Reis by Van:
$246
-
From Private Transfer to Vila do Abraão:
$244
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro 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 day
Ho Chi Minh City $14
Rio de Janeiro $20
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:
-
Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour:
$15
-
Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour by Motorbike/ Car with Student :
$19
-
Top Niche Walking Street Food Tour with Uni Student:
$26
-
Private Walking Food Tour with Local Students :
$26
-
Saigon: Backstreets Private Walking Food Tour & 10 Tastings:
$27
-
Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City:
$28
-
Food Tour by Scooter with Eleven Tastings:
$28
-
Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour By Motorbike +Sightseeing SAFE & FUN:
$28
-
Saigon Private Walking Food Tour with Thirteen Tastings:
$28
-
Saigon Private Eleven-Tastings Food Tour by Scooter:
$28
-
Ho Chi Minh: Thirteen-Tastings Private Walking Food Tour:
$28
-
Saigon Food Tour and Vietnamese Coffee:
$29
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Popcorn
$0.59
-
Corn on the Cob
$0.78
-
Hamburger
$0.98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
-
Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience:
$46
-
Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks:
$72
-
THE BEST FOOD TOUR:
$79
-
Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local:
$82
-
Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer:
$85
-
9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class:
$85
-
Brazilian Meats and Snacks + South American Wines Guided Dinner:
$89
-
Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour:
$90
-
Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes:
$92
-
Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar:
$105
-
Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar:
$115
-
Brazilian Cooking Class:
$129
Entertainment
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.
-
Ho Chi Minh City private walking tours with young local volunteers:
$1.89
-
Saigon: Free Walking Tour:
$2.08
-
Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Double-Decker:
$2.37
-
Walking Tour:
$5.00
-
City Sightseeing Panoramic Bus Tour:
$7.00
-
Saigon: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$7.00
-
Saigon: City Sightseeing 45-Minute Panoramic Night Tour:
$7.00
-
Floating Village Eco-Tourism Tan Lap - Trekking Day Trip:
$7.48
-
Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour:
$7.66
-
Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour:
$7.85
-
3-Hours Trekking Tour to Hidden Waterfall and Sturgeon Farm:
$8.21
-
Ho Chi Minh City Tour and Independence Palace Ticket 2 in 1:
$8.46
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Favelas do Vidigal or Rocinha's experience:
$50
-
Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip:
$105
-
03 - Guided Tour to the Grande Rio Academics Barracão:
$120
-
1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more:
$101
-
14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show:
$75
-
15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela:
$150
-
16 - Guided Tour to Favela da Rocinha:
$75
-
19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard:
$90
-
2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours:
$281
-
2 Hours Paradisiac Sailboat Tour in Rio de Janeiro:
$283
-
2 Hours Tour with Parasailing in Rio de Janeiro:
$110
-
21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch:
$80
Alcohol
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:
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Pub Crawl in Lapa:
$29
-
Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba:
$33
-
Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery:
$40
-
Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery:
$56
-
Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa:
$57
-
Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch:
$77
-
Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening:
$110
-
Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour:
$131
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ho Chi Minh City and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro is in South 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 Rio de Janeiro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Ho Chi Minh City. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Rio de Janeiro, 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.
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