Is Hanoi the cheapest city?

Which city is cheaper in Vietnam?

Da Nang. Definitely Da Nang. The air hangs heavy, sweet with frangipani, a gentler breeze than Saigon’s relentless hum. Rent? A song, a whisper compared to the city’s roar.

Saigon, a concrete jungle, pulses with frenetic energy. Expensive. Always expensive. A constant drain, a relentless tug on the purse strings. The food, delicious, yes, but the price stings. It’s a different rhythm, a different world.

Da Nang unfolds slowly. Sun-drenched beaches, a quiet life, affordable. The scent of the ocean, the taste of fresh seafood – all inexpensive. Transportation? Easy. Cheap. A gentle drift, unlike the chaos of Saigon’s traffic.

Da Nang wins, hands down. Its charm lies in its gentle affordability. Saigon’s relentless pace demands a hefty price. This is my experience, my truth.

• Rent: Significantly cheaper in Da Nang.
• Food: Fresh, local ingredients are abundant and inexpensive in Da Nang, especially in markets outside of tourist hubs. Saigon has incredible food, but it comes with a premium price tag, particularly in District 1.
• Transportation: Grabs and taxis are more costly in Saigon. Da Nang offers simpler, cheaper options. I found myself walking everywhere in Da Nang, such a pleasure.
• Overall Cost of Living: Da Nang is considerably more affordable for day-to-day living. I budgeted about $700/month in Da Nang in 2024; Saigon would’ve easily been double that for comparable living standards.

The weight of Saigon’s ambition is heavy. Da Nang breathes easier, lighter. It sighs in my memory, a gentle sigh of contentment. It felt less expensive and calmer. I personally had a better time in Da Nang.

Which city is cheaper in Vietnam?

Da Nang. It just…is.

Rent was less. Food, too.

Maybe that’s why I stayed.

It’s not just about the money, though.

HCMC has a pulse, a frantic energy.

Da Nang…it was quieter. Simpler.

Still, I miss the chaos sometimes, the sheer life bursting from Saigon’s seams.

• Da Nang: Significantly lower rent. Food less expensive. Transportation cheaper.
• Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): Higher rent. Costlier food. More expensive transportation. Major economic center equals higher prices.
• My apartment near My Khe Beach in Da Nang cost like, nothing compared to what my friend paid in District 1.
• The banh mi ladies in Saigon, though… man, those were good. Maybe worth the extra cost? Nah, probably not.
• I think the last time I visited HCMC, in 2023, a beer cost almost twice as much as it did back in Da Nang. Just crazy.
• The Grab drivers in HCMC are always hustling, always trying to squeeze a few extra dong. So tiring. Da Nang, more relaxed, mostly.