Daily costs per person in VND (₫). Saigon is astonishingly cheap — you can live extremely well on very little.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: VND (₫ Dong) (1 USD ≈ ₫25,400)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₫150,000–350,000 | ₫600,000–1,500,000 | ₫3,000,000+ | Hostels → boutique hotels → luxury towers |
| Food | ₫100,000–200,000 | ₫300,000–600,000 | ₫1,200,000+ | Street food → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | ₫40,000–80,000 | ₫100,000–250,000 | ₫500,000+ | GrabBike → GrabCar → private driver |
| Activities | ₫40,000–200,000 | ₫300,000–700,000 | ₫1,500,000+ | Museums & temples → Cu Chi & scooter tours → Mekong & premium |
| Drinks | ₫20,000–50,000 | ₫100,000–250,000 | ₫500,000+ | Bia hơi & street coffee → craft beer → rooftop cocktails |
| Daily Total | ₫350,000–880,000 | ₫1,400,000–3,300,000 | ₫6,700,000+ | $14–35 → $55–130 → $264+ |
Money-saving tips
Street food heaven
Phở: ₫40,000–60,000. Bánh mì: ₫20,000–30,000. Cơm tấm: ₫35,000–50,000. Bún bò Huế: ₫40,000. Three full meals cost ₫100,000–150,000 ($4–6 USD). Vietnam has the cheapest food in Southeast Asia.
Bia hơi is ₫5,000
Fresh draft beer at sidewalk stalls costs ₫5,000–10,000 ($0.20–0.40) — the cheapest beer in the world. Bia Saigon at backpacker bars: ₫15,000. Craft beer: ₫80,000. The price range is enormous.
Grab everything
Grab is essential — motorbike rides (GrabBike): ₫15,000–40,000. Car rides: ₫50,000–120,000 across the city. Cheaper and safer than motorbike taxis. Also use for food delivery (GrabFood).
Book e-visa early
Vietnam e-visa costs $25 online and takes 3 business days. Apply at least a week before travel. The visa-on-arrival process at the airport is slower and more expensive ($50+ with invitation letter).
Haggle at markets
Bến Thành Market vendors start at 3–4x the fair price. Offer 30–40% and negotiate from there. Walk away if they will not budge — they will often call you back. For fixed-price shopping, go to Saigon Square or Takashimaya.
Free activities
Walking the streets is free and endlessly entertaining. Nguyễn Huệ boulevard, all temples and pagodas, the 42 Nguyễn Huệ apartment cafes, and watching the sunset from the Thủ Thiêm bridge are all completely free.
