Ho Chi Minh City costs 300000-2000000 VND per day for travelers in 2026. Hotels average 400000 VND/night, meals cost 80000-150000 VND, making Ho Chi Minh City upscale compared to other Southeast Asia destinations. Budget travelers (300000 VND/day): Stay in hostels (150000 VND/night), eat at local restaurants (80000 VND/meal), use public transport. Mid-range travelers (700000 VND/day): Comfortable hotels (400000 VND/night), varied dining (150000 VND/meal), occasional taxis. Luxury travelers (2000000 VND/day): Premium hotels (1200000 VND/night), fine dining (600000 VND/meal), private tours. Top money-saving tip: Eat at street food stalls. Free activities include exploring nguyen hue walking street – pedestrian-friendly street with street performances and a vibrant atmosphere. Ho Chi Minh City ranks as upscale within Southeast Asia, offering excellent value compared to regional averages.
Plan the practical part
Ho Chi Minh City Trip Cost: How Much Does It Cost to Visit in 2026?
Daily budget guide for Ho Chi Minh City (prices in VND)Updated
- Budget₫650,392–₫1,170,705 / day
- Mid-range₫1,170,705–₫2,211,332 / day
- Luxury₫2,211,332–₫3,330,006 / day
What a day in Ho Chi Minh City costs
Budget
₫650,392–₫1,170,705 / day
≈ $25 USD
Hostels or guesthouses, street food and markets, public transport.
Mid-range
₫1,170,705–₫2,211,332 / day
≈ $45 USD
Comfortable hotels, sit-down restaurants, a few paid activities.
Luxury
₫2,211,332–₫3,330,006 / day
≈ $85 USD
Boutique or five-star stays, fine dining, private tours and transfers.
Estimates are per person, per day, in VND. USD equivalents use open.er-api.com exchange rates from 3 Sep 2026.
Make it your trip
What could your trip cost?
Choose your pace and travel style. Start with the published daily estimate, then make room for the things you care about.
Estimated trip budget · VND
7 days · 1 traveler · Mid-range
- Daily budget per person
- ₫1,170,705–₫2,211,332
- Season adjustment
- ×1
An editorial estimate, not a booking quote. Daily budget × days × travelers × season adjustment. Add flights, insurance, and any costs outside the guide separately. Shared rooms and child rates may change your total.
Where the money goes
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay | ₫18 | ₫52 | ₫145 |
| Eat | ₫4 | ₫12 | ₫42 |
| Do | ₫8 | ₫15 | ₫30 |
| Categories combined | ₫30 | ₫79 | ₫217 |
Category figures are typical daily spends; the tier totals above them include everyday extras, so the two need not match to the unit.
Everyday prices
- Prices
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- Currency
- VND
- Exchange rate
- ₫1
Typical prices at the time of research, in VND; expect variation by neighbourhood and season.
Prices through the year
- Low×0.9
- High×1.2
- Shoulder×1
Stretch your budget
Ways to save
- Stay in hostels or guesthouses in District 1 or Pham Ngu Lao area for as little as $5-15/night for a dorm bed vs. $50+ for a hotel room.
- Eat street food like pho or banh mi for 1-3 USD (23,000-70,000 VND) per meal vs. 10-20 USD at tourist restaurants.
- Utilize ride-hailing apps like Grab (motorcycle or car) for transport; a 15-minute ride might cost 1-2 USD (23,000-46,000 VND) vs. potentially higher taxi fares.
- Walk extensively to explore attractions like Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office, which are mostly free to visit, saving on transport and entry fees.
- Visit during the shoulder seasons (March-April or September-October) to find better deals on flights and accommodation compared to the peak dry season (December-February).
- Drink local Vietnamese coffee (ca phe sua da) for 1-2 USD (23,000-46,000 VND) at local cafes vs. 4-6 USD at international coffee chains.
- Bargain politely when shopping in markets like Ben Thanh or Binh Tay; you can often get items for 20-50% less than the initial asking price.
- Take local buses for longer distances within the city; a single ride typically costs less than 1 USD (around 5,000-10,000 VND), significantly cheaper than taxis.
- Refill your water bottle at hostels or cafes offering free filtered water to save on buying bottled water, which costs about 0.5-1 USD per bottle.
Budget tips
- {"tip": "Eat at street food stalls", "category": "Food", "explanation": "Street food is not only authentic but also much cheaper than restaurants, offering a great way to experience local cuisine on a budget."}
- {"tip": "Use public buses or motorbike taxis", "category": "Transportation", "explanation": "Public transport is very affordable in Ho Chi Minh City. GrabBike (motorbike taxi) offers a cheap and quick way to navigate through traffic."}
- {"tip": "Stay in hostels or budget hotels", "category": "Accommodation", "explanation": "Areas like Pham Ngu Lao offer numerous affordable accommodation options for budget travelers."}
Worth the splurge
- Enjoy cocktails at a skyline rooftop bar such as Chill Skybar.
- Book a luxury spa package with traditional Vietnamese massage.
- Charter a private cruise on the Saigon River at sunset.
- Take an exclusive private cooking class with a top chef.
Free things to do
- {"name": "Exploring Nguyen Hue Walking Street", "tips": "Visit during weekends for more activities and performances", "bestTime": "Evening", "description": "Pedestrian-friendly street with street performances and a vibrant atmosphere"}
- {"name": "Visiting Tao Dan Park", "tips": "Visit early morning to see locals practicing tai chi", "bestTime": "Morning or late afternoon", "description": "Large urban park with beautiful gardens and local life"}
- {"name": "Exploring Ho Chi Minh City Book Street", "tips": "Even if you don't buy, it's a great place to browse and people-watch", "bestTime": "Afternoon", "description": "A street lined with bookstores and cafes, perfect for book lovers"}
Frequently asked questions
How expensive is Ho Chi Minh City?
Daily costs roughly €25–€40 for budget travel, €40–€80 for mid-range, and €80+ for a more upscale experience.
Best money-saving tips?
Use local buses or book shared rides, eat street food, shop at markets, book guesthouses in advance, and always haggle politely.
Average meal cost?
Street food: €1–2, casual restaurant: €5–10, fine dining: €20–30.
Safety?
Generally safe for tourists—beware of petty theft, keep an eye on belongings, use metered taxis or ride-hailing apps, and avoid unlit streets late at night.
Planning the trip? Read the full Ho Chi Minh City guide.
Budget