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Ho Chi Minh City vs Tokyo 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
🇯🇵 TokyoHo Chi Minh City is 170% cheaper than Tokyo
Living on $1,628 a month in Ho Chi Minh City feels like about $3,667 in Tokyo — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$63.9 vs $201
Per month
$1,628 vs $3,667
Local meal
₫ 55,000 vs ¥ 1,000
$2.09 vs $6.76
Taxi 5 km
₫ 90,000 vs ¥ 2,500
$3.42 vs $16.9
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 66% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHo Chi Minh City 64% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 82% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 59% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 73% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (85%↓), Massage (83%↓), Haircut (83%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Ho Chi Minh City | Tokyo | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₫ 55,000$2.09 | ¥ 1,000$6.76 | Ho Chi Minh City −69% |
| Street food1 item | ₫ 25,000$0.95 | ¥ 450$3.04 | Ho Chi Minh City −69% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₫ 250,000$9.51 | ¥ 3,500$23.6 | Ho Chi Minh City −60% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | ¥ 550$3.72 | Ho Chi Minh City −54% |
| Beerone bottle | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | ¥ 600$4.05 | Ho Chi Minh City −67% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | ¥ 1,600$10.8 | Ho Chi Minh City −68% |
| Bottled water | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | ¥ 120$0.81 | Ho Chi Minh City −62% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | ¥ 300$2.03 | Ho Chi Minh City −62% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₫ 90,000$3.42 | ¥ 2,500$16.9 | Ho Chi Minh City −80% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | ¥ 1,500$10.1 | Ho Chi Minh City −85% |
| Transitone ride | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | ¥ 210$1.42 | Ho Chi Minh City −81% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ¥ 4,400$29.7 | Ho Chi Minh City −80% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | ¥ 15,000$101 | Ho Chi Minh City −66% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | ¥ 150,000$1,014 | Ho Chi Minh City −47% |
| Laundry | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | ¥ 740$5 | Ho Chi Minh City −76% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ¥ 3,000$20.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −70% |
| Haircutcut | ₫ 95,000$3.61 | ¥ 3,100$20.9 | Ho Chi Minh City −83% |
| Massage1 hour | ₫ 270,000$10.3 | ¥ 8,900$60.1 | Ho Chi Minh City −83% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₫ 670,000$25.5 | ¥ 10,000$67.6 | Ho Chi Minh City −62% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | ¥ 1,800$12.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −59% |
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 Tokyo?
Ho Chi Minh City is 170% cheaper than Tokyo. Daily budget $63.9 vs $201; a month $1,628 vs $3,667.
How do monthly costs compare between Ho Chi Minh City and Tokyo?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Ho Chi Minh City is about $1,628 and Tokyo about $3,667 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.