Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Moshi?
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 Moshi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Ho Chi Minh City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Moshi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Moshi
Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It’s known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain's cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and makes a good introduction to the splendors of the north. It's a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences and a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the center of one of Tanzania's major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there’s much more to do, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain’s lower slopes.
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 Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
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Moshi Prices
Tanzania PricesHo Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $84Ho Chi Minh City $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $84, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $87. 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 Moshi and Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $36Ho Chi Minh City $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $72Ho Chi Minh City $96
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Moshi 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: Moshi Hotel Prices and Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $17Ho Chi Minh City $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $107
- Tanzania Private Airport Transfer: $67
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Airport Transfer between Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport: $54
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) Moshi or Arusha: $50
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $50
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi: $49
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Private Airport transfers from any hotel in Zanzibar (Departures): $30
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
- 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
- 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: Vinh Airport to/from Vinh City Center: $37
- Private Transfer: Thanh Hoa Airport to/from Thanh Hoa City Center: $65
- Private Transfer: Nha Trang Cam Ranh Airport to/from Van Phong Bay: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Moshi 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 dayMoshi $34Ho Chi Minh City $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi
For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kili View Tanzanian Cooking Class: $26
- Authentic Chagga Cooking Class: Farm-to-Table Experience in Moshi: $50
- Dee's Private Cooking Class in Tanzania: $50
- Market-to-Table Cooking Class with Local Chagga Host: $79
- Private Market Tour and Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi: $109
- Spice Picking with Zanzibar Cooking Class: $193
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
- 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
- Saigon Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By scooter with Student: $20
- Cu Chi Tunnels & Countryside Cooking Class with Organic Farm: $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
- Michelin-Recognized Food Tour with Local Expert: $29
- Saigon Evening Street Food Tour with 6 Dishes: $29
- Private 4-Hour Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $19Ho Chi Minh City $19
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1 Best Tanzania Safari Tarangire Day tour Adventure: $200
- 1 Full Day to Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour & Chemka Hotspring: $95
- 1 Full-Day Safari Adventure in Tarangire National Park: $250
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
- 1_Day Bike Tour to Chemka Hotspring: $80
- Authentic Moshi experience coffee, markets & local life(7hr tour): $100
- Best 1# day Kilimanjaro trek Machame with Kilinge Adventure: $100
- Best Kilimanjaro hiking day trip tour with Kilinge Adventures: $80
- Chemka Hot Springs Tour from Moshi: $59
- Day Tour at Maasai Village In Tanzania: $156
- Day Trip at Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour in Tanzania: $163
- Day trip Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour: $75
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 Small Group Tour in Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta: $89
- 1 Hour Saigon River Tour in Ho Chi Minh: $13
- 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
- 2 Day Mekong Delta Adventure and Floating Market Tour: $99
- 2 Days 1 Night Mekong Delta Tour: $141
- 2 Days 1 Night Shared Tour in K50 Waterfall: $238
- 2 Days Melkong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market Overnight Tour: $115
- 2 Days Tour in Cat Tien National Park: $245
- 2 Days of Stunning Views and Adventure in Ta Dung Lake Escape: $243
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.37Ho Chi Minh City $7.59
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
When comparing the travel costs between Moshi and Ho Chi Minh City, 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 Moshi is in Africa and Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia, 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 Moshi Expensive? and Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moshi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Moshi 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.