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Is Ho Chi Minh City expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Ho Chi Minh City is cheap by international standards, though pricier than the rest of Vietnam: a mid-range day costs about VND 2,150,000 per person (very roughly €80). Hotels in District 1, rooftop bars, day tours and Western-style restaurants cost the most, while street food, coffee and Grab rides are very cheap.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | VND300,000 | VND750,000 | VND2,500,000 |
| Food & drink | VND250,000 | VND550,000 | VND1,300,000 |
| Sights & tickets | VND150,000 | VND600,000 | VND1,500,000 |
| Local transport | VND100,000 | VND250,000 | VND600,000 |
| Per person, per day | VND800,000 | VND2,150,000 | VND5,900,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Ho Chi Minh City day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Iced milk coffee at a stall | about VND 15,000–35,000 |
| Banh mi | about VND 20,000–45,000 |
| Broken rice with grilled pork (com tam) | about VND 35,000–70,000 |
| Bowl of pho | about VND 50,000–90,000 |
| Grab scooter or car ride in the centre | about VND 30,000–100,000 |
| War Remnants Museum | about VND 40,000 |
| Independence Palace | about VND 65,000 |
| Saigon Skydeck (Bitexco) | about VND 200,000–250,000 |
| Mid-range double room, District 1 | about VND 1,000,000–2,000,000 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Most of the budget goes on the hotel and on day tours: mid-range District 1 rooms cost about VND 1,000,000–2,000,000 a night, sometimes plus service charge and VAT, and Cu Chi, Mekong Delta and food tours add roughly US$30–70 each. Rooftop bars and international restaurants are priced close to Western levels. Everyday life is cheap: street-food meals are VND 35,000–90,000, coffee is a few tens of thousands of dong and most Grab rides are under VND 100,000.
When it is cheaper
Hotel prices are usually lowest in the wet season, roughly May to November, outside Vietnamese summer holidays. Around Tet (January or February) transport and some hotels get more expensive, and many local restaurants close for several days.
How to spend less
- Eat at street stalls and local com tam or pho shops rather than tourist restaurants.
- Use Grab for transport and fixed pricing; avoid hailing unmarked taxis.
- Take bus 109 from Tan Son Nhat airport to Ben Thanh for a fraction of a taxi fare.
- Drink at street-side cafés rather than rooftop bars; save a rooftop for one evening.
- Book Cu Chi and Mekong trips in group tours or by public bus rather than private cars.
- Agree on prices before buying at Ben Thanh Market, where first prices are high.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Ho Chi Minh City cost?
About VND 800,000 per person on a budget, VND 2,150,000 mid-range and VND 5,900,000 for comfort, sharing a double room.
Is Ho Chi Minh City cheaper than Bangkok?
Roughly similar or slightly cheaper for street food and transport; mid-range hotels cost about the same.
How much is a Grab ride in Ho Chi Minh City?
Most rides in the centre cost VND 30,000–100,000; airport to District 1 more.