Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?

With its booming economy, world-class dining experiences, vibrant nightlife and modern infrastructure, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is an attractive destination for tourists and business travelers, alike. But with all these luxuries come a cost – is Ho Chi Minh City expensive to visit and live in?

Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City

First and foremost, the cost of living in HCMC is comparable to costs in other major cities in the world. To put it into perspective, the cost of living in HCMC is 35% lower than in New York City according to Expatistan’s Cost of Living Comparisons. This is due to the cost of goods, housing, utilities, and transportation being generally lower than most developed cities. If you plan to stay in HCMC for a longer period of time, you may find yourself wanting to rent or buy a property. Prices for this vary depending on what type of neighborhood you’re interested in, but generally range from $500-$1,500 a month for renting an apartment or condo unit. Institutional clients such as companies setting up a business office in the city may find commercial landlord packages that offer favorable terms to tenants. When considering day-to-day expenses, basic goods are relatively inexpensive. Grocery stores such as Big-C or Parkson carry everyday products at relatively low costs compared to other sites located in other countries. Popular Vietnamese dishes such as Pho and Bun Bo are widely available at food stalls and street vendors throughout HCMC and are generally very affordable, rarely costing more than a few dollars per meal. Certain luxuries such as professional haircuts or a round of golf can become costly and can cost upwards of $100 per service, but opportunities for discounts are widely available depending on your method of searching for them. For instance, deals for professional services can be found on local coupon sites such as Wadav or Dealaxe. When it comes to transportation options, HCMC provides easy and cheap options when getting around the city. Motorbikes are the primary form of transportation with taxis playing a lesser role when it comes to personal use. Motorbikes can easily be rented for about 10-15 USD per day, with monthly contracts offering discounts if you plan on using one over the course of your stay. Of course there are more luxurious transportation options available, but they are generally outside the budget of most tourists and expats. Overall, Ho Chi Minh City is an affordable destination and can serve as an affordable base while exploring Vietnam. Many parks, museums and tourist attractions are free or very inexpensive. There are many ways to enjoy the attractions HCMC has to offer without breaking the bank that come with any major city.

Costs of Tourist Activities in HCMC

For those wanting to explore Vietnam’s southern-most city, Ho Chi Minh City has many attractions to visit that represent its cultural heritage and richness. From outdoor markets to historic theaters, there is plenty to explore and enjoy in the city. The main attraction is probably Vietnam’s infamous War Remnants Museum, which has multiple exhibitions inside and outside the main building and contains artifacts from the Vietnam War. This can be visited for around 15,000 VND per person (just over $0.60 USD). Other famous sights such as souvenir markets and some temples can be visited totally free! The Reunification Palace and Central Post Office are prime examples of this — both are interesting sites for tourists and free to visit as well!For those wanting to expand their cultural knowledge beyond HCMC’s historical sites, there are many performing theaters in the city such as Saigon Opera House and the Municipal Theater where performances from traditional music to ballet and opera are offered at affordable prices. Ticket prices generally range from $10-30 USD depending on what type of performance you’d like to attend. If you weave through downtown Saigon, you may stumble upon some popular cafes or coffee houses that serve delicious drinks ranging from $2-5 USD. For lunch or dinner, you may find various restaurants scattered throughout the city that carry a variety of local dishes such as Pho or Bun Bo at very reasonable prices. A restaurant meal usually runs upwards of $5-7 USD depending on what type of meal you’d like to order.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Ho Chi Minh City offers budget travelers an array of attractions any traveler could take advantage of without breaking their budget. For those looking to go on more luxurious adventures during their stay in HCMC, there are plenty of ways to find discounts on activities around town such as through coupon sites like Wadav or Dealaxe. Whether it’s sightseeing or shopping that tickles your fancy, Ho Chi Minh City offers many great attractions for budget travelers at an affordable cost!