Which place is cheaper, Taipei 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.
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Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Taipei?
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 Taipei can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Taipei?
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.
Taipei
Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cultural Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan.
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Ho Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam PricesTaipei Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHo Chi Minh City $88Taipei $196
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $88, while the average daily cost in Taipei is $196. 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 Taipei in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHo Chi Minh City $48Taipei $148
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHo Chi Minh City $96Taipei $296
Compare Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Taipei
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Taipei? 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 Taipei Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $15Taipei $10
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$1.34
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Taxi From Airport$7.66
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Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cam Ranh HTL-APT (CXR): $16
- Transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Phan Thiet or Mui Ne, Japan Quality: $14
- Tan Son Nhat Airport Ho Chi Minh City Private Transfer: $23
- Swandor Cam Ranh Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- Shared Arrival Transfer - Hanoi Airport to Sapa Hotel: $150
- Sai Gon Airport Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Round-trip Private Transfer Ho Chi Minh - Vung Tau (7 Seats Car): $122
- Round-trip Private Transfer Ho Chi Minh - Vung Tau (16 Seats Car): $141
- Radisson Blu Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- Private transfer from Mui Ne to Ho Chi Minh City: $87
- Private transfer Tan Son Nhat airport - Hotels in Ho Chi Minh: $12
- Private transfer Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) - Hotels In City: $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:
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Easycard$2.04
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Easycard$9.42
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Train$1.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei
Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Taipei city hotels to Hualien Cruise Port: $277
- Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE to Beitou New Taipei Arrival Transfer: $190
- Private Transfer from Taoyuan airport to Sunmoonlake: $168
- Keelung(Taipei) Cruise Port to Taipei-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $163
- Private Transfer from Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE to Taichung Port: $161
- Taipei Departure Private Transfer with Guide TPE Airport: $150
- Luxury Chartered Private Transfer Taoyuan Airport to Taipei City: $140
- Luxury Chartered Private Transfer from Taipei to Taoyuan Airport: $139
- Private Transfer from Taoyuan Intl Airport to Taoyuan or Taipei city: $136
- Taiwan Airport Private Transfer: $119
- Taipei Private Transfer:Keelung Cruise Port to Taiwan Taoyuan Int Airport: $115
- Taoyuan airport to Yilan Private Transfer: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Taipei?
Prices for flights to both Taipei 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 $23Taipei $28
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)$4.10
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Pizza$4.98
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Sweet Rice$1.15
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Pork Sandwich$0.57
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.50
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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: $1.89
- Water Puppet Show And Dinner Cruise On Saigon River Private Tour: $1.89
- Ho Chi Minh City Local Street Food Tour With Local Students: $1.89
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour & Hidden Local Gems Sightseeing: $9.83
- Mekong With Cai Be Less Tourist - Cooking Class: $14
- 1 hour Egg Coffee Cooking Class with Snack and Local Instructor: $15
- Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: $15
- Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking: $16
- HCM: Mekong Delta Boat, Khotcake cooking Coconut Village: $16
- Saigon Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By scooter with Student: $20
- Saigon Scooter Adventure - City Sights & Street Food Tour: $21
- Ho Chi Minh city Walking Chinatown / HCM city walking food tour: $25
Typical Food Prices in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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EasyCard$16
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Lunch at The Can$6.91
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EasyCard$31
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Lunch$2.98
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Lunch$1.88
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Dinner$6.28
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Lunch$3.61
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Lunch$4.71
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Louisa coffee$2.98
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Lunch$5.97
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Lunch$3.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tipsy Taipei Bars Bites and Late Night Social Food Tour: $40
- Food Tours w/ Top 10 Taiwan Food (Breakfast/Dinner): $45
- Taipei Food Tour: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included): $45
- Street Food & Hidden Eats Night Market Food Tour: $55
- Taipei Hidden Eats, Market & Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings: $55
- Disappearing Flavors of Taiwan Food Tour with 12+ Tasters: $55
- Taipei Tastes Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $55
- Formosa Flavours Taipei Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
- Yansan Night Market Food Tour: $62
- Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
- Your First Day Food Tour with Locals & 12+ Tastings: $70
- Street Food Cooking Class in Taipei : Gua Bao/Lu Rou Fan/Boba Tea: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $19Taipei $18
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$5.36
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 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: $90
- 1 Hour Saigon River Tour in Ho Chi Minh: $13
- 1-Day City Tour: Saigon Chinatown, Must-See Icons & Cyclo Ride: $128
- 1-Day Explore Non-Touristy Side Of Mekong Delta- Group 10 Max: $130
- 1-Day Mekong Delta Tour: Less-Touristy Cai Be & Vinh Long(Max 10): $35
- 1-Day Tour in Vung Tau Beach: $59
- 1-Day Tour of Black Virgin Mountain - Cao Dai Temple - Cu Chi Tunnels from HCMC: $62
- 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
Tours and Activities in Taipei
For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 101 Skyline 460 Observatory Ticket | Taipei: $124
- 2 days Yeliou (or Pingxi sky lantern) & Sun Moon Lake tour (Taichung city end): $200
- 2-Hour Private Dadaocheng Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Private Ximending Area Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Xingtian Temple: $55
- 2-hr Ningxia Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide: $35
- 3-hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Songshan distric & taste lotus hot pot: $77
- 3.5 hours Taipei City Tour (morning or afternoon ): $44
- 4 Days Private Tour Taipei, Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake & Taichung: $1,079
- 4 Hour Afternoon Cycling City Tour North with Snack: $83
- 4-Hour Morning Cycling City Tour (incl. breakfast): $83
- 7-Hour Jiufen Night View, Shifen Waterfall & Raohe Market Tour: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHo Chi Minh City $7.65Taipei $18
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$0.38
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:
- Bike And Craft Beer Brewery Mekong Delta Cycling Tour: $152
Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:
- Taipei Authentic Night Sober-Friendly Pub Crawl: $20
- Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $27
- Taiwan Brewery Tour Taiwan’s First National Beer with Tastings: $50
- Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery,Jim&Dad's Brewing, Shenkeng Tour: $95
- Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ho Chi Minh City and Taipei, we can see that Taipei 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 Taipei would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taipei 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 Taipei Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Taipei?
Taipei has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ho Chi Minh City. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Taipei, 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.