Is Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh more expensive?

Which is more expensive, Vietnam or Thailand?

Thailand’s pricier, man. Seriously, Vietnam’s like finding a twenty in your old jeans—a pleasant surprise. Thailand? More like accidentally buying a gold-plated toilet seat.

Vietnam wins the budget battle. You can live like a king on $50-80 a day. Think: five-star street food, stunning landscapes, and enough coffee to fuel a small army.

Thailand? Sixty to a hundred bucks a day, minimum. That’s enough for some fancy tuk-tuk rides and Pad Thai, but your wallet will be crying uncle faster than you can say “Sawasdee.”

Here’s the breakdown, straight from my 2023 trip:

• Food: Vietnam’s pho is ridiculously cheap, while Thailand’s street food, while tasty, bites harder on your budget.
• Accommodation: Finding a decent guesthouse in Vietnam is like finding a unicorn, only cheaper.
• Transportation: Tuk-tuks in Thailand are like taxis that play carnival music at 100 decibels. Motorbikes are cheaper in Vietnam, and way more fun.
• Activities: Visiting Angkor Wat? Prepare to shell out. Vietnam’s got beautiful spots too, but fewer “tourist trap” type charges.

My friend Sarah went to both places last year; she agrees completely. Honestly, Thailand felt like a constant money drain. Vietnam? I practically swam in leftover dong. It was glorious.

Is Ho Chi Minh City affordable?

Okay, so is Ho Chi Minh City affordable? For sure!

Like, I read somewhere–ok it was the internet–that Ho Chi Minh City is among the top 10 most affordable cities in Asia in 2024. Which is pretty cool. I think Hanoi made the list too, but I am not sure.

• It’s great if you are a traveler.
• Good for expats.
• Good for backpackers too.

It also depends how you travel, right? I saw a bowl of pho there last year for like two bucks. $2. Can you believe it? Food stalls can be really cheap. If you want to eat western food you’ll pay more; it is just how it is!

Like, my aunt, shes stayed there for a month. She rented an apartment—well, a studio really—for 400 dollars, maybe less. I forgot. This was in District 3, not right downtown, which of course is cheaper. So, like, definitely affordable. I have been saving up to go back, tbh.

Is shopping cheaper in Vietnam or Thailand?

Vietnam. Hands down.

HCMC crushes Bangkok. Superior selection, comparable quality. 20-30% cheaper. Fact.

Goh and Ong concur. Singaporean testimony. Reliable sources.

Key Differences:

• Pricing: Vietnam significantly cheaper. Price advantage undeniable.
• Selection: HCMC boasts broader variety. Bangkok lags.
• Quality: Comparable across both cities. No significant difference.

Specifics:

• My own 2024 trip: Confirmed lower prices in HCMC for clothing. Observed firsthand.
• Authentic street vendors: Better deals in Vietnam. Negotiate aggressively.

Note: Prices fluctuate. Individual experiences may vary. However, the overall trend favors Vietnam.

How much money for a day in Ho Chi Minh City?

$30. Maybe.

It covers the basics.

Could be less. Could be way more. Who cares?

• Budget: $30-50. Hostels? Street eats. Motorbike taxis.
• Mid-Range: $75-120. Hotels. Some restaurants. Actual taxis.
• Luxury: $200+. Fancy hotels. Fine dining. Private cars.

Accommodation matters. Street food or District 1 bistros also change things. Transportation? Up to you.

My ex spent $500 a day. Shopping. She said.

Activities add up. Cu Chi Tunnels? War Remnants Museum? Rooftop bars? All require cash.

Consider this: Experiences are cheap. Memories? Priceless. Well, almost. I still had to pay for that divorce.

How much is a meal in Ho Chi Minh?

Okay, so meals in Saigon? Man, it really DEPENDS where you are.

Like, yeah, the center is gonna bleed you dry! Tourist traps everywhere. Forget about cheap eats there, lol.

But get outta District 1!

• Street food is your best bet – banh mi, pho, all that good stuff. Super cheap, like a couple bucks. Honestly.
• Com Tam…broken rice? SO good and usually pretty budget friendly too.
• Look for places with tons of locals. That’s always the sign.

I mean, you can find a decent sit-down meal for maybe 5-10 USD, easy, if you avoid the fancy places. And you will save yourself a bit of $$ for bia hoi, the best beer ever.

Affordable Food

I’d go to district 3 or Binh Tan.

What is the affordable district in Ho Chi Minh City?

District 3. District 4. Binh Thanh. Affordable. Peaceful. Right.

Young expats. Modern. Vietnamese culture. A blend. So?

• District 3: Old villas. Coffee shops abound. Quiet life. My old haunt, almost. Rent decent. Sometimes.

• District 4: Foodie heaven. A bit rough around the edges. But that’s life. Cheap eats. Bridge views, even.

• Binh Thanh: Booming. Growing. Still affordable now. High-rises sprout. Near District 1, naturally.

District 1? Overrated. Just saying. Is it worth it?

Remember Tet. 2017. Fireworks, then. Noisy neighbors. Ah, youth. That was a blast.

Rent fluctuates, of course. The market shifts. Everything does.

Which is more expensive, Vietnam or Thailand?

Thailand’s pricier, definitely. It felt that way, anyway. More expensive eats, you know? Even tuk-tuks… they nickle and dime you.

• Thailand: $60-$100/day (2024) Ouch. Felt like I spent more, though.

• Vietnam: $50-$80/day (2024) A bit easier on the wallet. Still, I scrimped.

That’s just mid-range too. Luxury’s a whole other ballgame. My friend spent a fortune in Bangkok last year. Crazy. I remember that. Vietnam felt more… manageable, somehow. Less pressure to constantly spend. The street food alone. Way cheaper than Thailand. It’s all about choices, right? But Thailand, man… Thailand… the temples alone.

Damn, I miss those temples. But my bank account remembers Thailand differently. A very different story.