Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Mumbai?
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 Mumbai 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 Mumbai 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: Mumbai or Ho Chi Minh City?
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
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Mumbai Prices
India PricesHo Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMumbai $75Ho Chi Minh City $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $75, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $88. 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 Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMumbai $29Ho Chi Minh City $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMumbai $58Ho Chi Minh City $96
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Mumbai 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: Mumbai Hotel Prices and Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mumbai $6.37Ho Chi Minh City $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private 3Day City Tour with Hotel & Airport Transfer: $377
- Luxury Mumbai Package with Hotel,Private Airport Transfers and Sightseeing Tour: $270
- Private Shore Excursion with Guide & Transfers: $215
- From Sondai Fort Guided Trek with Meals & Transfers: $179
- From Prabalgad Fort Trek with Meals and Transfers: $165
- Mumbai to Alibaug Private Speed Boat Transfer: $145
- Full-Day Private City Tour with Guide and Transfer: $120
- Mumbai Private Bollywood Studio Tour with Transfer: $117
- Airport Transfer: Mumbai to Mumbai Airport BOM by Van: $108
- Private Bollywood Tour with Dance Show & Transfers: $104
- Arrival Transfer: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai by Luxury Van: $97
- Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $73
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$1.35
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Taxi From Airport$7.70
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Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City: $358
- Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Mui Ne - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $272
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Nha Trang: $270
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Nha Trang Cang Pha Vinpearl: $270
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Vinh City to Hanoi (HAN) Airport: $267
- Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $259
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Da Lat: $232
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Vinh Tan: $220
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Cam Ranh: $219
- Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Ha Tien Pier: $219
- Private Transfer from Cam Ranh to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $219
- Private Transfer from Phong Nha to Da Nang (DAD) Airport: $215
Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai 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 dayMumbai $38Ho Chi Minh City $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Bollywood Studio Tour & Indian Cooking Class: $11
- Private Evening City & Street Food Tour with AC Car: $11
- Best Steet Food Tour & Marekt with Train Ride Tour: $14
- Mumbai Food Tour — 178 Years of Bombay on a Plate: $14
- Discover Mumbai's street & beach with Vegetarian food tour: $14
- Mumbai Street Food Tour with Evening Bazaar Walk: $14
- Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Mumbai with a Local Family: $16
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Indian Cooking Class & Cultural Delights: $23
- Private Dharavi Walking Tour & Indian Cooking Class: $25
- Safe Food Tour in Mumbai for 2 hours: $27
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
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)$4.12
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Pizza$5.00
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Sweet Rice$1.15
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Pork Sandwich$0.58
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.53
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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: $1.90
- Mekong With Cai Be Less Tourist - Cooking Class: $14
- 1 hour Egg Coffee Cooking Class with Snack and Local Instructor: $14
- 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
- Ho Chi Minh City Michelin & Street Food Tour by Motorbike or Car: $16
- Ho Chi Minh City Cyclo Ride with Lunch or Dinner Experience: $18
- Saigon Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By scooter with Student: $23
- Ho Chi Minh city Walking Chinatown / HCM city walking food tour: $25
- Street Food Tour In Ho Chi Minh City By Motorbike: $26
- Saigon Walking Food Tour & Hidden Alleys with Locals: $26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mumbai $2.31Ho Chi Minh City $19
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- " Dash Of Mumbai " Sightseeing & Experiences-by Goi Licensed Guide Ragini Doshi: $281
- "Mumbai - Dharavi Slum Tour": $8.47
- "Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour": $42
- 2 Days Delhi, Agra Tour from Mumbai by Flight: $299
- 2 Days Mumbai City tour with Elephanta Caves: $90
- 2 Days Mumbai Tour with Car and Hotel: $285
- 2-Day Tour to Taj Mahal, Agra from Mumbai with Both side Commercial Flights: $270
- 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal, Agra from Mumbai with Both Side Commercial Flights: $254
- 2-Hour Guided Tour of Dharavi: $21
- 2Days Mumbai Sightseeing Tours with Dharavi, Elephanta Caves: $62
- 3 Days Chatrapati Shambaji Nagar Tour from Mumbai in Pvt Vehicle: $290
- 3 Days Complete Mumbai Tour Inclusive of Bollywood Studio Experience: $277
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$5.39
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 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: $65
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMumbai $3.20Ho Chi Minh City $7.69
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
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: $36
- Bike And Craft Beer Brewery Mekong Delta Cycling Tour: $152
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mumbai and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. And not only is Mumbai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mumbai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mumbai 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 Mumbai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mumbai Expensive? and Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mumbai or Ho Chi Minh City?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ho Chi Minh City. When comparing the sizes of Mumbai 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.