How Much to Spend for 4 days 3 Nights holiday in Ho Chi Minh City?

Before you continue reading about my travel itinerary, kindly take note that the price was as at 2009. You perhaps need to add another 50% of price increase if you read this in between year 2015 - 2017.

First Blog Entry Date: 28 Feb 2013 9.23AM

Are you planning to visit Ho Chi Minh City and still not sure about how much to spend during the trip? You should continue reading this guide as if it can give you some clues on how to enjoy the trip and saving some money.

This guide made by assumption that you are going to spend 4 days 3 nights in this city. You will cover most of tourist attractions, local foods and shopping during the trip.

Day 1

Once you arrive to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the first thing to do is find a money changer to change some money for taxi or other immediate use. USD50 is enough for change as the exchange rate in the airport normally not as good as in town. After that, you will go out from the arrival hall and catch a taxi. Basically, you will be approached by some taxi drivers (mostly wearing white shirts) and they will ask for your destination and giving a very confusing taxi fare. This is a scam as taxi in Ho Chi Minh City supposed to use meter. From the arrival hall, turn to the left side of the airport and you will see airport taxis in queue and this is the safe choice for travellers.

For first time traveller, I will recommend you to stay at backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao in District 1. All your needs are here such as cheap room, delicious local foods, cheap beer, English speaking travel agencies and souvenir shops. The price ranges for the hotels at this area are between USD10 to USD30 for one night.

As for foods, you need to get familiar with signboard written in Vietnamese such as Pho Ga, Pho Bo, Bun Bo Hue, Hu Tieu Mi and Com Tam which can be found at almost every corner in this district. The price for this local foods are between VND25,000 to VND50,000. Ice tea or locally call as “Tra Da” (Pronounced as Cha Da) is normally free or VND1,000 each. Always remember that the wet tissue presented on the table is not free.

On Day 1, you can go for some sightseeing around the backpacker area and wondering at night market on the side of Ben Thanh Market.

• Airport to Hotel: VND200,000
• Hotel – 1^st Night: VND400,000
• Foods (Lunch & Dinner): VND100,000

TOTAL: VND700,000

Day 2

After get familiarized with your area, second day is for you to walk further for a city tour. Get a map and spot the location that you wanted to go. You probably will need help from your hotel receptionist to figure out about where to go by walking and where to go by taxi.

From backpacker area of Pham Ngu Lao, you will walk to Ben Thanh Market before go through Le Loi Street which is one of the important street in the city. On the way, you will pass The Rex Hotel on your left with a big roundabout of Nguyen Hue and Le Loi Street and Tax Shopping Centre on your right hand side. Not really far from the Rex Hotel, you will see a colonial style building of Ho Chi Minh City’s People Committee Building which is very iconic photo photography lovers.

Keep walking until end of the Le Loi Street; you will be greeted with HCMC Opera House which located at intersection of Dong Khoi Street and Le Loi Street. After some photo snapping at the opera house, turn to the left of the Continental Hotel and you will find a gigantic Notre Dame Cathedral after less than 5 minutes walking. Next to the church, you will see Ho Chi Minh City Post Office on the right side. Your journey is not end here, spot for Reunification Palace on you map which just 10 minute walking from your current area. Before that, you can have your lunch at some restaurant located along Nguyen Du street. If from Dong Khoi Street, turn to your right for economy rice stalls or turn to your left of Nguyen Du Street for slightly expensive foods local and international foods. The landmark here will be the coffee bean of Metropolitan building at the intersection of Dong Khoi Street and Nguyen Du Street.

You also can go to War Remnant Museum, easily reach by metered taxi with price around VND40,000 for single journey. After finish visiting the museum, you can choose to walk back to your hotel as you wouldn’t miss the opportunity to see Saigonese late afternoon activities along the way.

• Transportation during City Tour: VND100,000
• Entrance Ticket during City Tour: VND100,000
• Foods (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner): VND150,000
• Hotel (2^nd Night): VND400,000

TOTAL: VND750,000

Day 3

Third day is to explore the countryside living of Vietnamese by taking open group tour to Mekong Delta. Good reputation Mekong Delta tour operator such as Sinh Tourist at De Tham Street, Pham Ngu Lao is always the safest choice. Day trip to Mekong Delta will cost you around VND200,000 per person. Basically you will join open group and this trip will depart as early as 7.30am and coming back to Ho Chi Minh City latest by 6.00pm. During this trip, you will see the splendid view of paddy field, crossing Mekong River by boat, visiting coconut candy factory, visiting brick factory, sampan rowing and having Vietnamese lunch while listening to Vietnamese folk music.

Back to Saigon is your final night for you to enjoy Vietnamese foods, making new traveller friends and grabbing something for your last minute shopping in night market.

• Mekong Delta Trip: VND250,000
• Foods (Breakfast & Dinner): VND100,000
• Hotel (3^rd Night): VND400,000

TOTAL: VND750,000

Day 4

Sit back and relax. Pack your things and most of hotel’s check out time is 12pm. You need to check with your hotel receptionist if there are any additional charges if you choose to late checking out. You hotel also can assist you for airport transfer which will cost you a fix price USD15. The journey to the Ton Son Nhat International Airport will take around 1 hour subjected to the traffic condition.

• Breakfast: VND50,000
• Hotel – Airport: VND250,000

TOTAL: VND300,000

GRAND TOTAL: Overall, you are expected to spend around USD122.50 or VND2,450,000 for 4 days and 3 nights holiday in Ho Chi Minh City (exclude shopping and airfare)