Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso?
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 Valparaiso can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Valparaiso?
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.
Valparaiso
Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.
Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.
Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
-
Ho Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam PricesValparaiso Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHo Chi Minh City $89Valparaiso $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $89, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is $80. 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 Valparaiso in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHo Chi Minh City $49Valparaiso $34
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHo Chi Minh City $98Valparaiso $68
Compare Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Valparaiso
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Valparaiso? 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 Valparaiso Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $15Valparaiso $4.67
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$1.35
-
Taxi From Airport$7.74
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- #1 Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh / SGN Airport : Private Luxury Transfer: $145
- Airport Transfer (From Airport - Ho Chi Minh City (Private 16 Seats Car): $70
- Airport Transfer From Hotel in Ho Chi Minh to Airport By 4 Seats Car: $35
- Airport Transfers (Airport - Ho Chi Minh,Private 16 Seats Car): $52
- Can Tho: Bus transfer directly to/from Saigon City: $14
- Chan May Private transfer to Hoian via Hai Van Pass, marble Hills: $66
- Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Tour with English Guide & Transfers: $42
- From Mui Ne Jeep Tour & Transfer: $136
- Fusion Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- Golden Bridge, Marble mount, guide, lunch, transfer from Cruises: $199
- Grand Park Water Park & Rides Ticket with Optional Transfer: $14
- HCMC: Shooting Range Experience with Transfer: $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$3.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:
- Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $247
- Private Transfer Cruise Port to Santiago with Wine tour & tasting: $235
- Valparaiso Airport Private Transfer: $212
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago Hotels: $200
- Private Transfer from Valparaíso Pier to Santiago Airport: $199
- Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
- Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142
- Private Transfer From Valparaiso Or Viña Del Mar To San Antonio: $133
- Private Transfer from San Antonio Port to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.: $133
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
- Transfer Valparaiso Cruise Terminal to Santiago + Tour & Winery: $99
- Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Valparaiso?
Prices for flights to both Valparaiso 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 $23Valparaiso $37
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)$4.14
-
Pizza$5.03
-
Sweet Rice$1.16
-
Pork Sandwich$0.58
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.57
-
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:
- Budget Street Food Tour – Pay-As-You-Go: $3.23
- Ho Chi Minh City Authentic Street Food Tour With Local Students: $7.95
- Ho Chi Minh City Local Street Food Tour With Local Students: $7.95
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour & Hidden Local Gems Sightseeing: $9.93
- HCMC: Cu Chi Tunnels & Scooter Food Tour (Up to 12 Tastings): $13
- Mekong With Cai Be Less Tourist - Cooking Class: $14
- Express Cooking Experience: $15
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour with Local LGBT Student Guide: $16
- Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking: $16
- Vietnamese Spring Roll Cooking Class: $16
- HCMC: Saigon Food Tour & Chinatown & Local Market on Scooter: $17
- Ho Chi Minh City Cyclo Ride with Lunch or Dinner Experience: $18
Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:
-
Empanada$1.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.
- 3hr Viña del Mar Cooking Class with local : Ceviche & Leche Asada: $29
- Valparaiso : Coastal Hands-on Cooking Class with a Local guide: $29
- Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $75
- Learn to Cook Like a Local: Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $132
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $20Valparaiso $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:
-
Massage$5.42
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ghosts & Legends of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City Night Walking Tour: $0.62
- Chinatown Hidden Treasures – Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Hidden Bunker & Vietnam War - Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Highlights & Hidden Gems - Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Hidden Jungle War Experience – The Untold Side of Saigon: $1.83
- Ho Chi Minh City private walking tours with young local volunteers: $1.83
- Private Long Tan Battlefield, Nui Dat Base and Vung Tau Day Tour: $1.91
- Ho Chi Minh City Flexible Private Tour with Spa, City Highlights: $1.91
- Tan Lap Floating Village Authentic Mekong Delta Nature Tour: $1.91
- Budget-Friendly Guided Walking Tour: $1.92
- Ho Chi Minh Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.57
- Langbiang Nature Park Experience with Tickets: $4.80
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso
Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Boat Tour$4.05
Tours and Activities in Valparaiso
Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Romantic Journey Through Viña del Mar - Private Tour: $213
- Cultural Tour of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: $37
- Explore and Sail Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Tour: $58
- Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Full Day Private Walking Tour with a Native Guide & Public Transport: $120
- Full-Day Tour of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca & Concón: $180
- Gastronomic Tour in Valparaiso: $216
- Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
- Guided Tour Viewpoints Elevators and Hills of Valparaiso: $40
- Guided tour Vina del Mar Reñaca beaches music and nature: $45
- Jewels of Viña del Mar – Private Walking Tour: $213
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHo Chi Minh City $7.73Valparaiso $7.54
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$0.39
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:
- Rooftops, Hidden Bars & Iconic Pub Crawl: $8.07
- Make Your Own Gin Experience and Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $36
- Make-Your-Own Gin Experience & Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $36
- Saigon After Dark: Pub Crawl & Party Adventure: $69
- Bike And Craft Beer Brewery Mekong Delta Cycling Tour: $152
Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:
-
Beer$0.96
Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:
- Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago with Tour and Wine Tasting: $100
- From Santiago: Aconcagua Valley Wine Tour: $129
- Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $290
- A Valparaíso 100% Private Tour + Casablanca Wine Tasting: $320
When comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Valparaiso, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City 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. Even though Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia and Valparaiso is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Valparaiso Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Valparaiso?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Valparaiso. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Valparaiso, 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.