Which place is cheaper, Xiamen 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 Xiamen?
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 Xiamen can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Ho Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam PricesXiamen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHo Chi Minh City $87Xiamen $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $87, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $89. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHo Chi Minh City $48Xiamen $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHo Chi Minh City $96Xiamen $66
Compare Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City or Xiamen? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $15Xiamen $6.41
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$1.33
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Taxi From Airport$7.60
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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:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cam Ranh HTL-APT (CXR): $14
- Transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Phan Thiet or Mui Ne, Japan Quality: $16
- Tan Son Nhat Airport Ho Chi Minh City Private Transfer: $23
- Tan Son Airport Arrival Private Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City: $40
- Shared Arrival Transfer - Hanoi Airport to Sapa Hotel: $150
- Saigon Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Center Private Transfer: $19
- 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: $78
- Private transfer Tan Son Nhat airport - Hotels in Ho Chi Minh: $12
- Private transfer Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) - Hotels In City: $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Combo: Overnight in Hakka Tulou plus 2-way transfers from Xiamen: $119
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou: $115
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Village: $115
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou: $110
- Round Trip Transfer Between the Most Picturesque Chuxi Tulou Cluster and Xiamen: $106
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $23Xiamen $49
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)$4.07
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Pizza$4.94
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Sweet Rice$1.14
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Pork Sandwich$0.57
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.45
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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: $1.87
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ho Chi Minh City $19Xiamen $17
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$5.32
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
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Private Tour in Xiamen and Gulangyu with Lunch: $225
- 1-Day Xiamen City Highlights and Gulangyu Island Private Tour: $244
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- 4h-8h Private Layover Adventures: Xiamen’s Urban & Island Gems: $188
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $140
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour from Cruise Port or Airport: $155
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour to Experience Xiamen Botanical Garden: $105
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $164
- From 3-Day Tulou and Gulangyu Island Tour: $589
- Fujian Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Tianluokeng and Daping Lou: $194
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHo Chi Minh City $7.59Xiamen $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:
- Make Your Own Gin Experience and Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $29
- Bike And Craft Beer Brewery Mekong Delta Cycling Tour: $152
When comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Xiamen, we can see that Xiamen 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 Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Xiamen?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Xiamen, 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.