Which place is cheaper, Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Siem Reap?
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 Siem Reap can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Siem Reap?
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.
Siem Reap
Located in northern Cambodia, Siem Reap is the closest town to Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat. It is a comfortable and laid back town and most visitors use it as a base to explore the country's most visited destination. Although Siem Reap was once a quaint village, it has continued to grow and change to meet the needs of the many tourists who visit every year. Siem Reap has become a very touristy town with easy access to restaurants, hotels, and shops. It also has a large expatriate community and the western influences are unavoidable. Although prices remain quite low, they are higher than you might find elsewhere in Cambodia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phnom Penh, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Siem Reap.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHo Chi Minh City $81Siem Reap $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $81, while the average daily cost in Siem Reap is $81. 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 Siem Reap in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHo Chi Minh City $49Siem Reap $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHo Chi Minh City $98Siem Reap $102
Compare Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Siem Reap? 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 Siem Reap Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $15Siem Reap $8.79
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$1.40
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Taxi From Airport$7.99
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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 Siem Reap
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Siem Reap:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$13
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Bike Rentals$1.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siem Reap
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siem Reap:
- Border Transfer (Siem Reap to Laos or Laos to Siem Reap ): $400
- Private Vip Transfer Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: $380
- Private Taxi transfer from Koh Chang to Siem Reap: $368
- Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Koh Chang: $368
- Private Taxi transfer from Pattaya to Siem Reap: $330
- Intercity Transfer(Siem Reap-Sihanouk/Sihanouk-Siem Reap): $300
- Private Taxi transfer from Bangkok to Siem Reap: $299
- Private taxi transfer from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap city.: $290
- Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Pattaya: $285
- Private Taxi transfer from Siem Reap to Bangkok: $258
- Private Taxi transfer from Sihanouk vile to Siemreab City: $145
- Private Taxi transfer from Sihanouk vile to Siemreap City: $145
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Siem Reap?
Prices for flights to both Siem Reap 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
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Food Meals for one dayHo Chi Minh City $14Siem Reap $16
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
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Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.27
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Pizza$5.19
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Sweet Rice$1.20
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Pork Sandwich$0.60
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.78
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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 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 Siem Reap
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Siem Reap:
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Breakfast for Two$5.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siem Reap
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siem Reap.
- Apsara Dance Show with Dinner by Tuk-Tuk Roundtrip Transfer: $17
- Apsara Dinner Show with Free transfer from to your hotel: $20
- Apsara Performance Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pick up: $26
- Apsara Dance Show & Dinner with Tuk-Tuk Transfers: $27
- Khmer Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $29
- Morning Cooking Class & Market Tour: $29
- Cambodian Cooking Class from Siem Reap: $32
- Cambodian Desserts Cooking Lesson with Tastings: $32
- Half-Day Cambodian Cooking Class: $32
- Evening Food Tour - Inclusive 10 Local Tastings: $35
- Cambodian Cooking Class: $35
- Afternoon Cooking Class & Village Tour: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $20Siem Reap $30
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:
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Massage$5.59
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Siem Reap
Here are a few typical costs in Siem Reap for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Angkor Tour Guide$8.24
Tours and Activities in Siem Reap
Here are a few actual costs in Siem Reap for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kulen Mountain Entrance Ticket and Explore the Holy Mountain : $45
- 03 Hours Countryside tours: $88
- 1 Day Angkor Wat Tour from Siem Reap,Cambodia: $50
- 1 Day Angkor Wat Tour with Tour Guide: $60
- 1 Day Private Group of Angkor Wat Tour with Tuk Tuk only: $35
- 1-Day Small Circuit Tour: Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm: $65
- 1-Day private Angkor Temple Tour from Siem Reap: $27
- 2 Day Angkor Wat Private Tour: $245
- 2 Day Private Guided Tour in Angkor Temples, Cambodia: $35
- 2 Days Angkor Wat Sunrise and Sunset Private Tour: $134
- 2-Day Angkor Small-Group Tour & Banteay Srei from Siem Reap: $69
- 2-Day Angkor Temple Tour With Kbal Spean: $285
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHo Chi Minh City $7.98Siem Reap $11
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:
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Beer$0.40
Sample the Local Flavors in Siem Reap
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Siem Reap:
- Mad Monkey Siem Reap Pub Crawl: $10
When comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, we can see that Siem Reap is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Siem Reap Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Siem Reap?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, 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.