Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities › Ho Chi Minh City vs Qingdao
Ho Chi Minh City vs Qingdao cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City
🇨🇳 QingdaoHo Chi Minh City is 22% cheaper than Qingdao
Living on $1,628 a month in Ho Chi Minh City feels like about $1,659 in Qingdao — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$63.9 vs $90.5
Per month
$1,628 vs $1,659
Local meal
₫ 55,000 vs ¥ 25
$2.09 vs $3.52
Taxi 5 km
₫ 90,000 vs ¥ 22
$3.42 vs $3.1
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 37% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHo Chi Minh City 35% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 21% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 13% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 49% cheaper
- Where Qingdao is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (15%↓)
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Massage (64%↓), Haircut (63%↓), Coffee (51%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Ho Chi Minh City | Qingdao | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₫ 55,000$2.09 | ¥ 25$3.52 | Ho Chi Minh City −41% |
| Street food1 item | ₫ 25,000$0.95 | ¥ 11$1.55 | Ho Chi Minh City −39% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₫ 250,000$9.51 | ¥ 100$14.1 | Ho Chi Minh City −33% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | ¥ 25$3.52 | Ho Chi Minh City −51% |
| Beerone bottle | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | ¥ 12$1.69 | Ho Chi Minh City −21% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | ¥ 31$4.37 | Ho Chi Minh City −21% |
| Bottled water | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | ¥ 3$0.42 | Ho Chi Minh City −28% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | ¥ 7.5$1.06 | Ho Chi Minh City −28% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₫ 90,000$3.42 | ¥ 22$3.1 | Qingdao −9% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | ¥ 20$2.82 | Ho Chi Minh City −46% |
| Transitone ride | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | ¥ 2$0.28 | Ho Chi Minh City −6% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ¥ 80$11.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −46% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | ¥ 350$49.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −31% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | ¥ 3,200$451 | Qingdao −15% |
| Laundry | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | ¥ 12$1.69 | Ho Chi Minh City −28% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ¥ 70$9.86 | Ho Chi Minh City −38% |
| Haircutcut | ₫ 95,000$3.61 | ¥ 70$9.86 | Ho Chi Minh City −63% |
| Massage1 hour | ₫ 270,000$10.3 | ¥ 200$28.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −64% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₫ 670,000$25.5 | ¥ 250$35.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −28% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | ¥ 60$8.45 | Ho Chi Minh City −42% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Qingdao?
Ho Chi Minh City is 22% cheaper than Qingdao. Daily budget $63.9 vs $90.5; a month $1,628 vs $1,659.
How do monthly costs compare between Ho Chi Minh City and Qingdao?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Ho Chi Minh City is about $1,628 and Qingdao about $1,659 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.