🇺🇸 From the US › Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City trip cost from the US — prices in $
Updated October 2026For everyday spending, Ho Chi Minh City is about 86% cheaper than New York. Here's what things cost in USD, what a day really costs, and the price where "tourist price" turns into a rip-off.
Daily budget per person (no flights)
Prices in Ho Chi Minh City vs New York
| Item | Local | In USD | vs New York |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₫60,000 | $2.28 | 89% less |
| Street food1 item | ₫35,000 | $1.33 | 87% less |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₫280,000 | $11 | 81% less |
| Coffeeone cup | ₫50,000 | $1.9 | 68% less |
| Beerone bottle | ₫35,000 | $1.33 | 85% less |
| Bottled water | ₫9,000 | $0.34 | 83% less |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₫15,000 | $0.57 | 81% less |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₫70,000 | $2.66 | 88% less |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₫20,000 | $0.76 | 95% less |
| Transitone ride | ₫7,000 | $0.27 | 91% less |
| Hotel night3-star | ₫1,000,000 | $38 | 86% less |
| SIM card1 week data | ₫200,000 | $7.6 | 75% less |
| Laundry | ₫30,000 | $1.14 | 75% less |
| Massage1 hour | ₫300,000 | $11 | 89% less |
| Half-day tourper person | ₫650,000 | $25 | 69% less |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₫50,000 | $1.9 | 94% less |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveller reports switch to the median of real reports.
What $100 gets you in Ho Chi Minh City
Rip-off check: fair price vs "too much"
| Item | Fair range | Rip-off above |
|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₫42,000–₫96,000$1.6–$3.65 | ₫115,000+$4.38+ |
| Coffeeone cup | ₫30,000–₫80,000$1.14–$3.04 | ₫96,000+$3.65+ |
| Beerone bottle | ₫21,000–₫59,500$0.8–$2.26 | ₫71,400+$2.71+ |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₫56,000–₫112,000$2.13–$4.26 | ₫134,000+$5.11+ |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₫14,000–₫36,000$0.53–$1.37 | ₫43,200+$1.64+ |
| Massage1 hour | ₫210,000–₫480,000$7.98–$18 | ₫576,000+$22+ |
| Bottled water | ₫6,300–₫18,000$0.24–$0.68 | ₫21,600+$0.82+ |
| Half-day tourper person | ₫455,000–₫1,040,000$17–$40 | ₫1,248,000+$47+ |
- Ask the price before you order or get in — and say it back.
- Use a ride-hailing app instead of street taxis when you can; the fare is fixed upfront.
- Pay in local currency. If a card machine offers to charge you in USD, say no — the conversion rate is usually worse.
Compare Ho Chi Minh City with your city
FAQ
How much does a trip to Ho Chi Minh City cost from the US?
Not counting flights, a mid-range day in Ho Chi Minh City is about $68 per person (3-star hotel, local meals plus a dinner out, two taxi rides). On a shoestring it's about $21 a day; comfortable travel is about $149. A 7-day mid-range trip comes to roughly $476.
Is Ho Chi Minh City cheaper than New York?
For everyday things Ho Chi Minh City is about 86% cheaper than New York. Compare item by item in the table above, or open the app to see it against your own city and income.
How much is a meal in Ho Chi Minh City in USD?
A simple local meal is around ₫60,000 (about $2.28); a sit-down restaurant dinner is around ₫280,000 (about $11).
What price is a rip-off in Ho Chi Minh City?
As a rule of thumb, paying about double the usual local price is a warning sign. For a taxi that means anything above ₫134,000 ($5.11) for about 5 km. Check any price in 3 seconds in the app.