Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City
How much does it cost to visit Ho Chi Minh City? Daily budgets, accommodation costs, and real price examples for 2026.
Photo: Marten Bjork / Unsplash
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget
Hostels, street food, free attractions
VND 700000
per day
Weekly: VND 4900000
Monthly: VND 21000000
Examples
- 🏨Dorm bed at The Hideout Hostel SaigonVND 150000
- 🍽️Banh Mi from Banh Mi Huynh HoaVND 50000
- 🍽️Pho from Pho Hoa PasteurVND 70000
- 🚌Ride-hailing app (Grab) for short tripsVND 150000
- 🎟️Visit the War Remnants MuseumVND 40000
- 🎟️Explore Ben Thanh MarketVND 0
- 🎟️Walk around the Reunification Palace groundsVND 0
- 🎟️Enjoy a Vietnamese coffee at a local cafeVND 40000
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, restaurants, guided tours
VND 1500000
per day
Weekly: VND 10500000
Monthly: VND 45000000
Examples
- 🏨Private room at The Hammock Hotel Fine Arts MuseumVND 600000
- 🍽️Com Tam (broken rice) at Com Tam Ba GhienVND 100000
- 🍽️Dinner at Cuc Gach Quan (traditional Vietnamese)VND 400000
- 🚌Ride-hailing app (Grab) for most tripsVND 200000
- 🎟️Visit the Fine Arts MuseumVND 50000
- 🎟️Explore the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post OfficeVND 0
- 🎟️Take a cooking class at Saigon CulinaryVND 150000
Luxury
5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours
VND 3500000
per day
Weekly: VND 24500000
Monthly: VND 105000000
Examples
- 🏨Room at The Reverie SaigonVND 2500000
- 🍽️Fine dining lunch at La Villa French RestaurantVND 800000
- 🍽️Cocktails with a view at Glow SkybarVND 500000
- 🚌Private car with driver for the dayVND 1000000
- 🎟️Private guided tour of the Cu Chi TunnelsVND 700000
- 🎟️Spa treatment at a luxury spa like L'Apothiquaire SpaVND 1000000
Cost by Category
accommodation
300,000 - 1,000,000 VND (hostel to budget hotel)
food
200,000 - 500,000 VND (street food to mid-range restaurants)
Transport
100,000 - 200,000 VND ( Grab/taxi and occasional bus)
activities
100,000 - 300,000 VND (entrance fees, tours)
Cost by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Budget Level | vs City Centre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 1 (D1) | Mid-range | average | first-timers, foodies |
| District 3 (D3) | Budget | lower | foodies, couples |
| Phu My Hung (District 7) | Mid-range | higher | families, luxury |
| Binh Thanh District (near Landmark 81) | Budget | lower | digital nomads, budget |
Money-Saving Tips for Ho Chi Minh City
🏨 Accommodation
- Stay in budget neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre
- Book apartments for longer stays (weekly discounts)
- Travel in shoulder season for lower hotel rates
- Compare prices across multiple booking platforms
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Eat where locals eat, away from tourist hotspots
- Try street food and market stalls for cheap eats
- Buy lunch specials instead of evening meals
- Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen
🚌 Transport
- Buy multi-day transit passes for unlimited travel
- Walk between nearby attractions to save fares
- Use public transport over taxis where possible
- Book airport transfers in advance for fixed prices
🎟️ Activities
- Take free walking tours (tip-based)
- Look for free museum days or discounted hours
- Book tours and activities online for lower prices
- Explore parks, markets, and neighbourhoods on foot
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FAQ: Ho Chi Minh City Costs
How much does it cost to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
Budget travellers can visit Ho Chi Minh City for around VND 700000/day (VND 4900000/week). Mid-range travellers should budget VND 1500000/day, while luxury travel costs around VND 3500000/day.
Is Ho Chi Minh City expensive?
Ho Chi Minh City is on the expensive side. Budget travellers need at least VND 700000/day. Consider staying in budget neighbourhoods and eating at local spots to save.
How much should I budget per day in Ho Chi Minh City?
For a comfortable mid-range experience in Ho Chi Minh City, budget VND 1500000/day. This covers a decent hotel, meals at sit-down restaurants, public transport, and a couple of activities.
What is the cheapest way to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
Budget travellers in Ho Chi Minh City can get by on VND 700000/day by staying in hostels or budget hotels, eating street food and local restaurants, using public transport, and choosing free walking tours and public attractions.