Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Kathmandu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kathmandu or Ho Chi Minh City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kathmandu and Ho Chi Minh City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Kathmandu or Ho Chi Minh City?
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $57Ho Chi Minh City $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $57, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City 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 Kathmandu and Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $40Ho Chi Minh City $49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $80Ho Chi Minh City $98
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu or Ho Chi Minh City? 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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices and Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.95Ho Chi Minh City $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
-
Taxi Ride$1.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu to Lumbini or Sunauli Border Transfer by Luxury Private Vehicle: $300
- Private Transfer: Kathmandu to Chitwan Hotels: $210
- Kathmandu to Chitwan (Sauraha) Private Transfer: $197
- 3-Day Chitwan Safari Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
- Kathmandu to Pokhara Transfer by Luxury Private Car: $180
- From Bungee Jump over Bhotekosi River & Transfer: $160
- From One-Way Private Transfer to Pokhara: $148
- One-Way Flight Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara: $130
- From Private car transfer to Pokhara: $117
- Pokhara: One way transfer To or From Kathmandu: $117
- Kathmandu to Pokhara transfer by private air conditioned car: $110
- Kathmandu Airport to Nagarkot Hotel Transfer: $109
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:
- Mui Ne Beach: Bus transfer from/to Saigon City: $7.73
- Ho Chi Minh City airport transfer: $10
- Nha Trang: Bus transfer from/to Saigon City: $11
- Private Arrival Transfer: Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Hotels: $15
- SGN Airport: the private transfer to Center (District 1 & 3): $16
- Private Transfer From Saigon Center To Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN): $16
- Ho Chi Minh City Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel: $16
- Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) Departure Transfer: $16
- Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) - Departure Transfer: $16
- Transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Airport Tan Sơn Nhat: $17
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cam Ranh HTL-APT (CXR): $18
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport Private Transfer: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Kathmandu 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 dayKathmandu $8.31Ho Chi Minh City $14
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Dessert$1.35
-
Dinner for Two$3.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Momo Making & Cooking class in Thamel with Pickup: $8.58
- Half Day cooking class in Kathmandu by Local Chefs & Pickup: $9.36
- Best Half-Day Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $9.50
- Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu with Pickup: $10
- Dinner with Cultural Show Kathmandu : $12
- Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
- Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel, Kathmandu with Pickup: $19
- Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
- Cooking Class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chef with pickup: $25
- Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $27
- Private Cooking class with Pickup and Drop: $29
- Cooking class in kathmandu( Women empowerment project): $30
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)$4.27
-
Pizza$5.19
-
Sweet Rice$1.20
-
Pork Sandwich$0.60
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.78
-
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 Street Food Tour By Motorbike +Sightseeing SAFE & FUN: $25
- 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: Thirteen-Tastings Private Walking Food Tour: $28
- Ho Chi Minh: Original Walking Street Food Tour With Local: $29
- Top Niche Walking Street Food Tour with Uni Student: $29
- Private 4-Hour Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $29
- Ho Chi Minh: Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour With Local: $29
- Walking Street Food Tour Ho Chi Minh City: $30
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $8.04Ho Chi Minh City $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
-
Monkey Temple for Two$1.50
-
Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.76
-
Swayambhunath Stupa$1.50
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Luxury Tourist Bus to Chitwan from Kathmandu : $22
- One Day Tour inside Chitwan National Park: $117
- Two Days Sightseeing in Kathmandu Tour UNESCO Heritage sites: $150
- "Off-The-Beaten-Path" Tour around Kathmandu : $70
- 1 Day Cycling Tour in Kathmandu: $312
- 1 Day Kathmandu Shopping Tour Experience: $100
- 1 Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $70
- 1 Day Volunteer Tour at Orphanage in Kathmandu: $273
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Kathmandu: $155
- 1 Night 2 Days Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour from Pokhara or Kathmandu: $141
- 1 Night 2 Days Daman Tour: $215
- 1 day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour: $150
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$5.59
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Saigon: Free Walking Tour: $2.08
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Double-Decker: $2.37
- Saigon: City Sightseeing 45-Minute Panoramic Night Tour: $7.00
- Saigon: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $7.00
- City Sightseeing Panoramic Bus Tour: $7.00
- Floating Village Eco-Tourism Tan Lap - Trekking Day Trip: $7.48
- Night Bus Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $7.50
- Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.85
- 1 ROUND MIDNIGHT BUS TOUR: $9.00
- Bitexco Financial Tower: Saigon Sky Deck - Fast Track Ticket: $10
- One hour cyclo tour around Saigon: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.77Ho Chi Minh City $7.98
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$0.40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Ho Chi Minh City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ho Chi Minh City than you might in Kathmandu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu and Ho Chi Minh City, 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.