Budget Travel Guide to Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam: Safe, Smart & Affordable
This Budget Travel Guide to Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam shows you exactly how to enjoy Saigon Vietnam on S$60–S$120 a day, with clear costs, safe neighbourhoods, and practical tips tailored to Singapore travelers and Asia-focused investors.
As part of Homejourney’s wider international lifestyle and property series, this cluster guide supports our main pillar on global travel and real estate exploration, helping you compare Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) with other Asian cities like Singapore for future lifestyle or investment decisions.
Why Visit Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on a Budget
Ho Chi Minh City is one of Southeast Asia’s most budget-friendly big cities, with street food from under S$2, dorm beds from about S$11 (US$8), and many key HCMC attractions either free or below S$5.[1][2] It offers a very different pace compared with Singapore’s polished, highly regulated urban environment, yet still feels relatively easy to navigate for first-time visitors.
From Singapore, HCMC works well as a quick long weekend or 5–7 day trip: the flight is under 2 hours and low-cost airlines frequently offer return fares in the S$150–S$250 range if you book early (off-peak can be cheaper; school holidays and long weekends can go much higher). Based on my own SG–HCMC trips, the value-for-money contrast is most obvious in food, massages, and mid-range hotels.
Best Time to Visit Ho Chi Minh City on a Budget
HCMC is warm year-round (around 28–34°C), but your timing affects prices and comfort.
- Dry season (Dec–Apr): Most popular, less rain, slightly higher hotel prices. Great if you’re used to Singapore’s humidity but want fewer downpours.[3]
- Rainy season (May–Nov): Short, heavy showers, but fewer tourists and better accommodation deals. Showers often pass in 30–60 minutes, so you can plan indoor attractions around them.[3]
- Peak periods: Lunar New Year (Tet) and major Vietnamese holidays can push prices up and many shops/restaurants may close for a few days. Plan ahead and check opening hours.
Getting There from Singapore & Money Basics
Flights: Direct flights from Changi (SIN) to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) are typically 1h 50m–2h 10m, similar to a Singapore–Bangkok hop. Budget carriers serve multiple daily flights, so you can often pair an early-morning departure with a late-evening return for a 3D2N escape.
Currency: Vietnam uses the Vietnamese dong (VND). As a quick mental shortcut, 10,000 VND is roughly S$0.55–S$0.60 depending on rates. Street food meals commonly range from 30,000–60,000 VND (about S$1.80–S$3.60), while local bus rides start from about 7,000 VND (around S$0.40).[1]
For Singapore-based travelers and investors, Homejourney supports convenient multi-currency views (including VND) for property-related research and comparison, so you can understand both Vietnam and Singapore property prices in your home currency and in VND for easier benchmarking.Bank Rates
Top Budget-Friendly HCMC Attractions & Experiences
Many of the best HCMC attractions are either free or cost under S$5, making it easy to build a packed but affordable itinerary.[1][2]
Must-See Landmarks (Under S$5)
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street (District 1) – A pedestrian boulevard perfect for evening strolls and people-watching. Street performers usually appear from about 6–10 pm, and the atmosphere feels similar to a car-free evening at Orchard Road, but more casual and local.[1]
- Ben Thanh Market – Central market with souvenirs and a busy food court. Entry is free; small items like keychains cost around US$2.[1][4] Go before 11 am or after 7 pm to avoid the hottest hours.
- Saigon Central Post Office & Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior) – Located next to each other, both are free to visit and photograph. Walking time from Ben Thanh Market is about 15 minutes.[1]
- War Remnants Museum – Essential if you want to understand Vietnam’s modern history. Admission is about 40,000 VND (≈S$2.30) for adults.[1][5] Plan 1.5–2 hours here; some exhibits are graphic and not ideal for young kids.
- Independence / Reunification Palace – Historic government building with preserved interiors. Tickets are typically under US$3.[1]
Cultural & Local Experiences
- District 5 (Chinatown) – Great for Chinese-Vietnamese cuisine and traditional markets, similar in feel to Singapore’s older Geylang and Chinatown shophouses mixed together.[1]
- Evening coffee culture – Grab a cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk) for about S$1–S$2 at a local cafe and people-watch. Coffee chains and indie cafes are everywhere, especially in Districts 1 and 3.[1][3]
- Free walking tours – Several local university groups run free (tip-based) walking tours around central HCMC, a good way to orient yourself if you usually rely on Singapore’s structured walking routes and audio guides.[3]
Ho Chi Minh City on a Budget: Practical Daily Costs
From multiple 2025 budget breakdowns, backpackers can manage on about 515,000 VND per day (≈S$30), while mid-range travelers average around 1,125,000 VND (≈S$65) including food, mid-range stays, and attractions.[2][7]
- Street food meals: US$1–3 (S$1.50–S$4.00) per dish.[1][3]
- Local restaurants: S$5–S$10 per person for a sit-down meal.
- Dorm bed: From about US$8 (≈S$11) per night in District 1.[1]
- Simple guesthouse: Around US$15 (≈S$20) per night in District 1–3.[1]
- Day tours: Cu Chi Tunnels ~US$15, Mekong Delta day trip ~US$20, depending on inclusions.[1][5]
Compared to Singapore, where an average hotel night in the city centre can easily exceed S$200 and restaurant meals from S$12–S$25 per main, HCMC delivers significantly lower day-to-day costs, often freeing budget for side trips or investing elsewhere in Asia.
Transport: Getting Around Safely on a Budget
HCMC does not have an extensive MRT network like Singapore’s yet, but budget transport options are plentiful.[1][3]
- City buses: The cheapest option for longer distances, with fares from about 7,000 VND (≈S$0.40) per ride for trips under 20 km.[1] Hours are roughly 5 am–9 pm.
- Ride-hailing (Grab Bike/Car): Common, affordable, and app-based like in Singapore. Motorbike rides can be cheaper and faster in traffic but always wear a helmet, and avoid rush-hour if you’re not used to bikes.
- Walking: District 1 is compact. Ben Thanh Market to Notre Dame Cathedral is about 15 minutes, while Reunification Palace to the Opera House is around 10 minutes on foot.[1]
- Motorbike rental: Typically 150,000–200,000 VND/day (≈S$9–S$12). Only recommended if you are experienced and fully insured, as traffic rules and habits differ markedly from Singapore’s strict LTA-regulated environment.
Safety Tips for Singapore Travelers
HCMC is generally welcoming, but as with any major city, you should stay alert.
- Traffic: Always check both ways before crossing and walk slowly and predictably; vehicles will flow around you. Use traffic lights where possible, though adherence is more relaxed than in Singapore.
- Pickpocketing & bag snatching: Keep phones and wallets secure, especially on busy streets and when on motorbikes. Use cross-body bags and avoid displaying expensive items.
- Money: Only use ATMs in well-lit, reputable banks, similar to how MAS and banks in Singapore encourage safer withdrawal behaviour. Avoid money changers that do not show rates clearly.
- Scams: Confirm taxi or motorbike fares in advance or use ride-hailing apps. At markets, bargaining is normal – start at 50–70% of quoted price for souvenirs.[1]
