Ho Chi Minh City Travel Costs: How Much Money Do You Need?
A bowl of noodles at a neighborhood restaurant, an afternoon coffee, or a stylish hotel with a rooftop pool—Ho Chi Minh City offers plenty of ways to enjoy your trip at different budgets.
Your biggest expenses will usually be accommodation, dining, and paid activities. Travelers who choose simple rooms and local food can keep costs down, while upscale hotels, cocktails, and private tours can increase spending quickly.
This guide breaks down Ho Chi Minh City travel costs to help you plan a practical budget.
All figures below are estimated planning allowances in Vietnamese dong (VND), rather than guaranteed prices. Daily budgets exclude flights, visa fees, travel insurance, major shopping, and out-of-town tours.
How Much Money Do You Need Per Day?
For a starting budget, consider these daily allowances per person:
| Travel Style | Estimated Daily Budget | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | 500,000–900,000 VND | Hostel or simple shared room, local meals, limited paid activities |
| Mid-range | 1,200,000–2,200,000 VND | Comfortable shared hotel room, varied dining, car rides, sightseeing |
| Luxury | 3,500,000 VND and above | Upscale accommodation, premium dining, private transport and experiences |
These estimates assume two people share a private room, or a budget traveler books a dorm bed. Solo travelers booking private rooms should allow more for accommodation.
Choose the upper end of your range if you enjoy frequent café stops, drinks, shopping, or several paid attractions in one day.
Accommodation Costs in Ho Chi Minh City
Accommodation is one of the biggest factors in your overall budget. The city has options ranging from hostel dormitories to luxury hotels.
As a planning allowance, set aside:
| Accommodation Type | Estimated Cost Per Night |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed | 150,000–300,000 VND per person |
| Basic private room | 400,000–800,000 VND per room |
| Comfortable mid-range hotel | 800,000–1,800,000 VND per room |
| Upscale or luxury hotel | 3,000,000 VND and above per room |
Published accommodation estimates also show a wide gap between dorm beds, three-star hotels, and five-star properties, making your hotel choice a major budget decision. Ho Chi Minh City accommodation cost reference
Before booking, check whether the final rate includes taxes, breakfast, and any additional charges. Compare the location as well as the room price: a cheaper hotel may require more transport to reach the places you want to visit.
For couples, a shared private room can offer good value. For solo travelers, dorm accommodation usually leaves more room in the budget for activities.
Food and Drink Costs
Food spending depends on where you eat and how often you choose international restaurants, cocktails, or specialty cafés.
Use the following amounts as approximate allowances:
| Food or Drink | Estimated Allowance |
|---|---|
| Simple local meal | 40,000–80,000 VND |
| Casual restaurant meal | 100,000–250,000 VND |
| Higher-end meal | 400,000 VND and above |
| Vietnamese coffee | 25,000–60,000 VND |
| Specialty café drink | 50,000–100,000 VND |
| Cocktail at an upscale bar | 180,000–350,000 VND or more |
A budget traveler might allocate 150,000–250,000 VND per day for food and drinks. A traveler mixing local meals with restaurants and café visits could allow 300,000–600,000 VND.
For example, breakfast at a local eatery, a bowl of noodles for lunch, and a casual Vietnamese dinner will create a different daily total from hotel breakfast, international dining, and rooftop cocktails.
Small purchases matter too. Several coffees, snacks, and drinks can become a noticeable part of your daily spending.
Transportation Costs
Your transport budget will depend on the distances you cover and whether you walk, use public transport, or book rides.
For planning purposes, allow:
- 50,000–100,000 VND per day if you mostly walk and use occasional low-cost transport.
- 100,000–250,000 VND per day if you take several car rides.
- A separate amount for airport transfers and longer journeys.
These are daily allowances, not fixed fares. Check the displayed price before confirming a ride, especially during busy periods or bad weather.
Grouping nearby attractions into the same outing can reduce both transport spending and time in traffic. When choosing accommodation, consider how often you will need to travel across the city.
Sightseeing and Activity Costs
You do not need a paid activity for every part of your trip. Walking around different neighborhoods, browsing markets, and enjoying public spaces can help balance days with admission fees or guided experiences.
A useful starting allowance is 100,000–300,000 VND per person per day for a mix of modest paid attractions and free exploration. Food tours, observation decks, performances, and private guides may require a larger budget.
Check each attraction’s current admission price before visiting. For guided activities, confirm whether the booking includes transport, food, entrance fees, and hotel pickup.
Day trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta should be budgeted separately because the cost depends on the itinerary, group size, and transport arrangements.
A Sample Mid-range Daily Budget
Here is an illustrative budget for one traveler sharing a hotel room with another person:
| Expense | Daily Allowance |
|---|---|
| Accommodation: half of a 1,200,000 VND room | 600,000 VND |
| Food and drinks | 400,000 VND |
| Local transportation | 150,000 VND |
| Sightseeing | 200,000 VND |
| Miscellaneous expenses | 100,000 VND |
| Total | 1,450,000 VND |
This gives you a practical target for a comfortable trip. Some days will cost less, while a special dinner or guided activity may push spending higher.
If you book that same hotel room alone, the example total rises to 2,050,000 VND per day.
How Much Should You Budget for Three Days?
Using the daily estimates above, a three-day stay could require:
| Travel Style | Three-day Budget Per Person |
|---|---|
| Budget | 1,500,000–2,700,000 VND |
| Mid-range | 3,600,000–6,600,000 VND |
| Luxury | 10,500,000 VND and above |
This example assumes three days of spending and three nights of accommodation. Adjust the room cost if your itinerary includes fewer nights.
Add airport transfers, shopping, and any out-of-town excursions separately. Keeping another 10–15% as a planning buffer can make your budget more flexible.
Extra Expenses to Include
Beyond your daily spending, remember to account for:
- Flights and other transport to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel insurance.
- Airport transfers.
- Mobile data or a SIM card.
- Laundry.
- ATM withdrawal and currency conversion charges.
- Souvenirs and shopping.
- Day trips outside the city.
If you use a bank card, check your provider’s foreign transaction fees. When paying or withdrawing cash, review the currency conversion options and charges before confirming.
How to Save Money in Ho Chi Minh City
Choose Accommodation Around Your Itinerary
Look at the places you want to visit before booking. A convenient hotel can reduce the number of rides you need each day.
Mix Local Meals with Occasional Treats
You can enjoy cafés, restaurants, and special dinners while keeping your overall food budget manageable. Decide which meals matter most to you and spend accordingly.
Plan Nearby Stops Together
Visit attractions in the same area during one outing. This helps limit transport costs and leaves more time for exploring.
Compare the Full Booking Price
For hotels and tours, check the final total and included services. Breakfast, transfers, or admission fees can affect which option offers better value.
Set a Separate Shopping Budget
Keeping souvenir spending separate makes it easier to see whether your everyday travel costs are staying on track.
Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive to Visit?
Ho Chi Minh City can suit both modest and generous budgets. For planning, 500,000–900,000 VND per person per day is a useful starting range for budget travel, while 1,200,000–2,200,000 VND allows more room for comfort and activities when sharing accommodation.
The most useful approach is to choose your accommodation first, estimate your food and transport spending, and then add the experiences you want most. That gives you a travel budget built around your trip, with enough flexibility to enjoy the city along the way.