Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Yangon?
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 Yangon 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 Yangon 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: Yangon or Ho Chi Minh City?
Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.
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 Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
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Yangon Prices
Myanmar PricesHo Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangon $70Ho Chi Minh City $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $70, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City 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 Yangon and Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $31Ho Chi Minh City $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $62Ho Chi Minh City $98
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Yangon 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: Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangon $2.38Ho Chi Minh City $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $80
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $60
- Yangon Airport Private One Way Transfer With Meet and Greet: $45
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangon Airport (RGN) → Yangon Hotel: $36
- Private Transfer from or to Rangon International Airport YIA: $30
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer: $27
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
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$7.74
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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:
- Ho Chi Minh: SGN Airport Private Transfer to/from Downtown: $5.00
- Mui Ne Beach: Bus transfer from/to Saigon City: $8.00
- Ho Chi Minh: SGN Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $8.85
- Nha Trang: Bus transfer from/to Saigon City: $11
- Private transfer Tan Son Nhat airport - Hotels in Ho Chi Minh: $12
- Ho Chi Minh City airport transfer: $13
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrival Or Departure By Private Car Transfers: $13
- Grand Park Water Park & Rides Ticket with Optional Transfer: $14
- Private Car Transfer: Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang City: $14
- Ho Chi Minh Airport: Private Transfer: $14
- Can Tho: Bus transfer directly to/from Saigon City: $14
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Transfer Service: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Yangon 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 dayYangon $17Ho Chi Minh City $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
- Cooking Class in Yangon,Myanmar: $67
- Traditional Myanmar cooking class with market tour: $88
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)$4.14
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Pizza$5.03
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Sweet Rice$1.16
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Pork Sandwich$0.58
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.57
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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: $3.22
- 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
- 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
- Ho Chi Minh City Michelin & Street Food Tour by Motorbike or Car: $18
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangon -Ho Chi Minh City $20
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- 3-day Yangon Sightseeing & Shopping: $296
- : Memorable Moment in The Heart of Yangon (08:00 AM - 06:00 PM)Full Day Tour: $110
- Adventure Full day visit to Thanlyin (Syriam): $70
- Bagan Cultrue Tour: $50
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $53
- Bago Full-Day Private Tour from Yangon: $138
- Bago by Train: Full-day sightseeing tour: $117
- Best Yangon City Tour with Experience English Speaking Guide: $142
- Best of Yangon Private Full Day Tour with Shwedagon Pagoda: $134
- Burmese Antiques Heritage Shopping Tour: $87
- Chinese Heritage Cultural Immersion Tour: $138
- Cultural Charm of Full-day Sightseeing Tour: $71
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$5.42
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Hidden Bunker & Vietnam War - Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Chinatown Hidden Treasures – Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Highlights & Hidden Gems - Free Walking Tour: $0.62
- Ghosts & Legends of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City Night 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
- Budget-Friendly Guided Walking Tour: $1.91
- Tan Lap Floating Village Authentic Mekong Delta Nature Tour: $1.91
- Ho Chi Minh City Flexible Private Tour with Spa, City Highlights: $1.91
- Ho Chi Minh Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.57
- Langbiang Nature Park Experience with Tickets: $4.80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangon -Ho Chi Minh City $7.73
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$0.39
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: $8.06
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangon and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. And not only is Yangon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yangon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangon 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 Yangon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangon Expensive? and Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangon or Ho Chi Minh City?
Yangon has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Ho Chi Minh City. When comparing the sizes of Yangon 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.