One of Saigon’s great practical advantages is that the range of daily budgets is enormous — you can spend $20 a day or $150 a day and both are valid, comfortable versions of the same city. This guide breaks down costs honestly by category so you can plan your spending before you arrive.

Accommodation costs

Budget (dormitory/basic private): 150,000–350,000 VND ($6–14) per night. Backpacker hostels on and around Bui Vien and De Tham Streets in District 1 are the concentration point. Clean, basic, often with included breakfast.

Mid-range (private room, en suite, A/C): 500,000–1,200,000 VND ($20–48) per night. Good options throughout Districts 1, 3, and Binh Thanh. This is the sweet spot for solo travellers and couples — comfortable rooms at prices that feel almost impossibly low by Western standards.

Upscale: 1,500,000–4,000,000 VND ($60–160) per night. Business hotels and boutique properties in District 1.

Food costs

Street food only: 120,000–200,000 VND ($5–8) per day, covering three meals and two coffees.

Mixed (street food + occasional restaurant): 300,000–500,000 VND ($12–20) per day.

Restaurant-focused: 600,000–1,500,000 VND ($24–60) per day at mid-range to upscale Vietnamese restaurants.

Transport costs

Grab for in-city transport averages 30,000–60,000 VND per GrabBike journey. A full day of city exploration using 4–6 Grab rides costs approximately 150,000–300,000 VND ($6–12). Day trips (Cu Chi, Mekong) add 200,000–400,000 VND on top.

Attraction entry costs

Most major attractions are cheap or free: War Remnants Museum (40,000 VND), Reunification Palace (40,000 VND), Jade Emperor Pagoda (free), Notre Dame and Central Post Office (free). A full day of sightseeing at paid attractions costs well under 200,000 VND.

Complete daily budget summary

Budget backpacker: $20–30 USD/day (hostel dorm + street food only + Grab for longer journeys)

Mid-range traveller: $50–80 USD/day (private hotel room + mixed eating + daily Grab + activities)

Comfortable traveller: $100–150 USD/day (boutique hotel + restaurant meals + guided day trip + rooftop drinks)