Vietnam’s largest city, Saigon (officially Ho Chi Minh City) is much more sprawling and modern than the capital. Nearly all of the downtown buildings are new and it has a very different feel than Hanoi. It’s best to visit both cities if you have a chance, and the long train ride that connects them is an excellent way to see even more of the country.
Ho Chi Minh City is an incredible travel bargain compared to most of the rest of the world, though it’s also among the more expensive cities in Vietnam. Prices in Hanoi are similar, and everywhere else in the country is at least a bit cheaper, so regardless of which big city you start in, things will get better as you go until you reach the other one. Hoi An prices are strangely low for food and drinks and even hotels, and it’s a major highlight for most visitors to Vietnam.
| Population | 7,200,000 |
| Area | 7,200,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+7 |
| Currency | Vietnam Dong |
| Airports | Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) |
Hotel prices in the crowded Pham Ngu Lao area in District 1 are quite high for the country, and rooms tend to be small as well. Still, money goes a long way, and everything else is quite cheap as well.
Compared to most large cities, hotels in Saigon are cheap all year round. Prices don’t change too much according to the seasons, at least from a rack-rate perspective. Travelers who are booking in person or booking directly through a hotel might be able to negotiate and even better deal during low season, and sometimes even during high season depending on how busy things are.
High season at Saigon hotels officially starts in December, as the wet season is winding down, though some hotels instead consider September to be the beginning of the high season. These higher prices usually run through April, as the summers here are steamy and wet and therefore not as popular. Low season usually runs from May through November, but again, each hotel kind of does its own thing in this regard.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 7.00 - 21.00 |
| 9.00 - 36.00 |
| 17.00 - 65.00 |
| 35.00 - 120.00 |
| 68.00 - 180.00 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 5.00 - 8.00 |
NGOC THAO GuestHouse Beds from US$7/night | |
The NGOC THAO GuestHouse offers dorms and private rooms in an ideal location in backpacker-friendly District 1. |
Another key area where this city shines is that the main attractions are either free (markets, neighborhoods), or very cheap. Even half-day and full-day tours outside of the city to the Mekong Delta or the Cu Chi Tunnels can be had for the price of a beer or two in almost any other city.
The free (tips-based) walking tours of Ho Chi Minh City are a great way to learn some history and see many of the more interesting urban sights in a short time.
Hop-on, hop-off bus tours of Saigon are also worth a try since the city is actually rather spread out.
| Location | Description | Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| War Remnants Museum | This iconic museum is considered a must-visit in spite of its one-sided story. | adults | 1.57 |
| Reunification Palace | Famous government building still used occasionally, but popular for tours. Admission price includes a 1-hour guided tour in English (and other languages). | adults | 1.57 |
| Cu Chi Tunnel tour | Take a 90-minute bus ride to see these famous and slim tunnels with a group. Many tour options are available. | adults | 4.31 |
| Saigon Skydeck | Here you'll find 360-degree views on the entire city and of the Saigon River. | adults | 7.84 |
Food and drinks are similar in that better quality and bargains can be found in pretty much every other major tourist city in Vietnam, and yet compared to anywhere outside of India or Southeast Asia everything is a bargain.
| Food Type | Description | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget breakfast | Some hotels include breakfast, but if not you can get pancakes or eggs and a baguette at many places. | 1.25 - 2.15 |
| Budget lunch | Saigon has many restaurants featuring Vietnamese and Western food. | 2.35 - 3.92 |
| Budget dinner | All the same restaurants are open all day and well into the evening with the same menus. This is a sit-down meal. | 4.70 - 7.05 |
| Beer (.33L) | Saigon and Tiger are the most popular brands. Prices in nightclubs are about double. | 0.86 - 1.37 |
| Bahn mi sandwich | Those on a tight budget can get an excellent sandwich at many stands all over, from morning until very late at night. | 0.63 - 0.94 |
| Wine (Vietnamese) - full bottle | Local wine, bottled in Dalat, is fairly drinkable and available by the bottle in most restaurants and many shops. Imported wine is many times more expensive. | 2.74 - 3.53 |
| Cocktails | Nearly every restaurant serves mixed drinks at good prices. Ones with local spirits are cheapest, and at nightclubs they are at the top range. | 1.76 - 3.53 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Taxi from airport to city center | 6.27 - 13.71 |
| Bus from airport to city center | 0.20 - 0.39 |
| 3km taxi ride in Saigon | 1.41 - 2.35 |
| 1 hour cyclo ride around town | 1.37 - 1.53 |
| Motorbike rental (per day) | 4.94 - 5.88 |
Most foreign visitors will land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), which is the country’s busiest airport. Flights from within Asia tend to be reasonably priced.
Express buses regularly go from the airport into the more popular districts in the city. A metro system will eventually connect the airport and the city center.
Many visitors fly into Hanoi and take the train to Ho Chi Minh City as a way of touring the country. The train is slow and it’s a long way, but it’s worth the trip if you’ve got at least a week for Vietnam.
The central District 1 area is good for walking, although it is hot and humid every day of the year.
Locals get around on motorbike taxis called a ‘xe om’. They are cheap if you get anything near the local price, but they can be terrifying if you aren’t used to riding pillian in crowded city streets.
Normal taxis are available, if a bit harder to find.
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 89 | 70 | 0.6 |
| February | 91 | 73 | 0.2 |
| March | 93 | 76 | 0.5 |
| April | 94 | 78 | 1.7 |
| May | 93 | 77 | 8.7 |
| June | 90 | 76 | 13.0 |
| July | 90 | 76 | 12.3 |
| August | 89 | 76 | 10.5 |
| September | 88 | 76 | 13.2 |
| October | 88 | 75 | 10.6 |
| November | 88 | 73 | 4.5 |
| December | 87 | 71 | 2.2 |
Well into the tropical zone, Saigon’s climate is warm or hot all year, and the major issue is whether it’s the rainy season or the dry season. The dry season is still quite humid, but it has very little rainfall and lasts from December through April. December and January are usually the most pleasant months from all standpoints.
The rainy season runs from May through November and heavy downpours and localized flooding are common. Temperatures are marginally lower, but it’s still quite steamy and the rain can make some things difficult when it’s at its worst.
| 21 Mar | 5:57am | 6:04pm |
| 21 Jun | 5:32am | 6:13pm |
| 21 Sep | 5:42am | 5:50pm |
| 21 Dec | 6:06am | 5:36pm |