Is Ho Chi Minh City cheap to visit?

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Ho Chi Minh City's cost depends on your travel style. Budget travelers can enjoy it cheaply, with affordable street food, local transport, and budget accommodation. Mid-range options are also readily available. Luxury travel will, of course, be more expensive. Overall, compared to many Western cities, Ho Chi Minh City offers excellent value.

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Is Ho Chi Minh City Affordable for Travelers?

Okay, here’s my take on whether Ho Chi Minh City is affordable for travelers, written how I’d actually talk about it, not like a robot.

Ho Chi Minh City? Affordable? Hmm, kinda. I mean, compared to, say, Paris? Absolutely! But it’s not dirt cheap like some people seem to think.

Back in November 2018, when I was there, I was spending around $30 USD a day. That covered my guesthouse (District 1, about $15/night), street food (SO good), and buzzing around on Grab bikes, the motos there, not cars, are just the way to go!

The markets are a sensory overload (Ben Thanh Market is touristy but still fun!). Haggle, haggle, haggle tho. You can get silks and stuff, really colorful fabrics for suuper cheap if you’re good at bartering.

Food! Oh man, pho from a street vendor for like, a dollar? Seriously. Banh mi, like a Vietnamese sandwich, similar prices and utterly addictive. The food is the biggest win for your wallet. Plus, there are tons of cheap drinks.

Entrance fees to museums (Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum) were reasonable, I recall paying like $2 or $3. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of all the cultural locations!

One thing I didn’t expect was the shopping. There is high-end stuff there too, if you are looking for designer brands, but that’s, obviously, not affordable, haha.

Overall, HCMC is a fantastic value. I think you could easily do it on $30-$50 a day, depending on your style. It’s a city where you can have awesome experiences without feeling ripped off. Enjoy!

Is Ho Chi Minh City affordable?

HCMC? Cheap as chips, mate! Seriously, finding a decent pho for under two bucks is a breeze. Think bargain basement, but with better street food.

Top-tier affordability, especially compared to, say, a weekend in London. You’ll be swimming in dong, I tell ya.

Street eats: dirt cheap and delicious. Think Michelin-star quality, but with less silverware and more plastic chairs.
Accommodation: splurge on a fancy hotel? Sure. Or grab a hostel room for less than a fancy coffee back home. I found a sweet spot for $10 a night in District 1 last month. Pure luxury.
Transportation: Motorbikes everywhere! Ha ha. Seriously, it’s dirt cheap to zip around. Avoid peak hour though, unless you enjoy a game of human Tetris.

Hanoi’s also a steal, by the way. Both cities totally slayed the competition in 2024’s affordability rankings – Top 10 in Asia! Beat that, Paris!

Honestly, the only thing expensive is the price of resisting all the amazing food. My belly is still recovering from my last trip. And I went for a week in November!

How much money for a day in Ho Chi Minh City?

Budget travelers in Ho Chi Minh City? $20-$40 a day should suffice. Mid-range? Up it to $50-$100. Fancy a luxury experience? Expect $150+.

That covers the basics: sleep, eats, getting around, & some fun. But, heh, those numbers? Just guidelines. I mean, I once blew $80 just on banh mi. No regrets, though.

Accommodation’s a biggie. Dorms are budget-friendly, but I prefer a private room. It’s worth it for the peace of mind, especially after a day battling Saigon’s traffic.

Street food: Cheap and delicious.
Restaurants: More expensive but worthwhile experiences.
Taxis: Convenient but pricier than buses.

Transportation matters, too. Buses are dirt cheap! Taxis? Convenient but adds up. I learned to navigate the bus system! That’s an achievement I’m proud of. It was terrifying at first, ngl, but the thrill!

Your choices really dictate costs. Every traveler has their spending quirk, right? Or is that just me?

How expensive is Ho Chi Minh City?

Ho Chi Minh City: Cost of Living. Expensive? Relative.

Family of four: $1663.80 monthly (excluding rent). Ouch.
Single person: $477.10 monthly (excluding rent). Better.

72% cheaper than New York. New York? Ridiculous.

Rent? Even lower. 88.2% less than New York. Shocking.

My cousin lived there. Said it was affordable. He’s frugal.

Cheap eats abound. Luxury? Exists, naturally. Pricey. Expect it.

Transportation? Motorbikes. Chaos. Cheap.

The cost of living is subjective. It depends on your lifestyle. Priorities. My lifestyle differs greatly from my cousin’s. He’s content. I am not. 2024 data.

How much is a meal in Ho Chi Minh?

Central District meals bleed cash. Expect it. Affordable eats? Exist. Find them.

Street food: Obvious. Essential. Banh mi, pho – fuel.
Local eateries: Dodge the tourist traps. Venture deep.
Com Tam restaurants: Rice plates. Cheap, filling, ubiquitous.

Weekly budget? Depends. Backpack or baller? My rent is $800, a week, maybe 200 max? If frugal.

Reddit threads? Grain of salt. Prices change. Reality hits harder.

Elaboration:

Specific Dishes: Beyond banh mi and pho, explore bun cha (grilled pork with noodles), goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), and cao lau (Hoi An noodle dish – find variations). I ate Cao lau at a resturant near Ben Thanh Market. Skip the fancy places.
Location Matters: District 1 is pricey. District 3, Binh Thanh, and beyond… treasure troves.
Market Bargaining: Necessary. Always. Don’t accept first prices on anything. My sister bought silk scarves, she always got prices down 50%.
Hidden Gems: Hẻm (alleys). The best food hides. Explore them fearlessly. Trust your nose.
Negotiation: For long stays, haggle for apartment rentals. Even hotels budge.
Transportation: Motorbike taxi (Grab, Be). Cheaper than taxis. Learn to dodge traffic.
Beverages: Bia hoi (fresh beer). The cheapest buzz. Avoid bottled water. Refill at hostels, or buy large bottles.
Cooking: Rent an apartment with a kitchen. Shop at local markets. Cut costs drastically.

What is the affordable district in Ho Chi Minh City?

Okay, affordable districts in HCMC… gotta think.

District 3, 4, and Binh Thanh. Yeah, that rings a bell. District 3.
Wait, is that STILL the case though? Prices keep going up. Expat life, yikes.
But like, compared to District 1? Absolutely, right? My friend Trang lives in District 4. Says it’s way cheaper.
Binh Thanh is cool too. Close to District 1 still. I saw a cool apartment near the Landmark 81 once. Could walk there? That tower is BIG.
Maybe “peaceful” is relative, lol. It’s still Saigon. Motorbikes everywhere!
Thinking of moving, actually. Closer to work. Sigh. District 4. I just love the street food there!
Young expats… I guess that’s me. Sorta. How young is young? I’m gonna be 30 this year. Oof.
Modern living and Vietnamese culture, right. District 1 is too touristy. District 3 is a great choice. The food, though. Always the food, isn’t it?

#Budgettravel #Hcmccosts #Vietnamtravel

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