How to Travel Ho Chi Minh City on a Shoestring
There are a lot of perks to travelling Vietnam: the food, culture and incredibly diverse countryside to name just a few. But nothing makes it easier to enjoy than the cost of living.
From $0.80 beers to $1.50 bowls of noodle soup, market bargains and, of course, a bustling atmosphere at no cost, Ho Chi Minh City is saturated with inexpensive experiences to be had. On top of that, the city’s rich history will ensure your trip is a memorable one, too.
Together with Jetstar, we’ve scoured the best things to do, see, eat and drink — all on the cheap. Plus, by signing up to Price Watch, you’ll be notified when fares have hit your preferred budget. That way you’ll be able to board your flight with some extra spending money in your pocket. Read on to start adding the top cheap restaurants, bars and sights to your itinerary.
No matter what the season in Ho Chi Minh City, you can pretty much guarantee that it’s going to be pretty warm. The only thing that really changes month to month is the amount of rain — and when it rains, it pours. Aim to travel around late November when you’ll get the best of the warm (see: not overly hot) weather and minimal rainfall. May to October is typically monsoon season and isn’t ideal if you’re dreaming of a summer getaway.
As if you needed another excuse to book a flight, Jetstar will help you get to Ho Chi Minh directly from Melbourne and Sydney, meaning less time in airport layovers and more time slurping pho. Also, if you’re travelling with mates, Jetstar has made booking your group fight easier with FareShare. You can all book together, and pay separately. Finally, you can all take the same flight together, and someone doesn’t have to take on the burden of paying for all the tickets at once.
If there’s one thing you don’t have to worry too much about in Vietnam, it’s your budget. With a big bowl of pho setting you back around $1.60 AUD and a beer around $2, your average daily spend is likely to be pretty low. Transport and accommodation are where you’ll spend the bigger bucks — expect to pay around $80–100 a night for a nice hotel and no more than $20 for a taxi from the airport. For transport around the city, stick to the government-controlled taxi companies, VinaSun and MaiLinh. Be sure they turn the metre on or set a price before you travel.
There’s a lot to take in when visiting Ho Chi Minh, but if you’re short on time don’t leave the city without doing a few of the must dos. Even if you aren’t one for history the War Remnants Museum is an eye-opening experience well worth making time for. Take a wander through the markets and try your hand at bartering with the locals. Visit the bustling Bui Vien area, and enjoy a cocktail at a rooftop bar or pull up a plastic stool at a street bar and take in the chaos that is Ho Chi Minh City.
FREE: EXPLORE THE BUSTLING SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
If you’re on a strict budget and looking for the cheapest things to do in the city, then there’s no better or cheaper way than simply exploring the streets. Ho Chi Minh is an overwhelming and hectic city at times — from bikes overloaded with six generations of family members and people taking a siesta anywhere they feel fit to street stalls loaded with bizarre and unlikely objects. If you want entertainment there’s no shortage of it on the streets of Vietnam. Don’t miss Ho Chi Minh Square, Dong Khoi and a little further out of the city, Emperor Jade Pagoda.
FREE: WANDER BEN THANH
Explore well-known tourist market Ben Thanh or its quieter cousin Saigon Square. You’ll find pretty much everything and anything, from an unreal amount of brand knock-offs to ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ tees to the most pungent delicacies you’ve ever smelt. It’s quite a touristy destination, so try throwing in a bit of Vietnamese in the bartering process (Bao nhiêu? (pronounced baow new) How much?; Mắc quá! (pronounced mack wa!) So expensive!; Không (pronounced khom) No; and Dạ (pronounced ya) Yes.) and you’ll likely get a better deal.
UNDER $10: KICK BACK WITH LOCAL BREWS AND EATS
You will most likely order a beer at some point during your trip — and it’s unlikely to cost you more than two Aussie dollars. In Ho Chi Minh, Bui Vien is the street of choice for nightlife and has some great street bars and hole-in-the-wall places to choose from. Pull up a plastic stool, crack a local brew — Saigon Red or Green or a 333 (pronounced Ba Ba Ba) — and take in the pure chaos that is Vietnam’s most populated city.
UNDER $10: SLURP SOME PHO
You can’t visit Ho Chi Minh and not try a bowl of the national dish. You have a plethora of pho options when it comes to choosing where to devour a bowl, all depending on how adventurous you want to be. There are plenty of well-known large chains that’ll serve up a bowl of pho worth eating, so if you’re wary about street food, try one of the many Pho 24 locations around the city.
For those looking for something a bit more daring, your street food experience options are endless, but we suggest giving Pho Quynh a try. Located just off Bui Vien, you’ll see plenty of other travellers enjoying a few 333 and slurping down a big portion of the noodle soup. We suggest the ‘supreme’ option which includes beef brisket and delightful garlicky beef balls. Dig even further, and head to Quan Pho Thai Son near Ben Thanh Market. With all the things you expect from a street food spot, this place is tiny, dingy and totally fantastic — epitomising the reason to not judge a book by its cover.
UNDER $10: GET A SERIOUS CAFFEINE FIX
Though you may not expect it, Vietnam has a coffee obsession that actually manages to rival Australia’s, which is almost immediately evident as you take your first steps through the streets of Ho Chi Minh. Introduced in the 19th century by French Colonists, coffee was adopted by the Vietnamese and taken to a whole other level. Cafe (or ca phe) sua da is not for the weak latte types. Loaded with sweet condensed milk, packed with a serious caffeine kick and served over ice, this cup of joe will have your heart a-flutter in more ways than one.
UNDER $10: VISIT THE WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM
Whether you’ve got an interest in history or not, the War Remnants Museum is one of the city’s must-dos. Documenting the history of the Vietnam War, the photo exhibitions inside offer powerful insight into the war through the eyes of the Vietnamese. Intense and sombre, it’s an eye-opening experience that anyone who visits the city should have. If you’re travelling with children, be aware that the photo exhibition is particularly graphic.
UNDER $20: CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR
Located about 50 kilometres from the centre of Ho Chi Minh, the Cu Chi tunnels are a great day trip from the city. Built by the Viet Cong in the 1940s the tunnels are part of an interconnecting network spanning more than 120 kilometres underneath much of the countryside. The Cu Chi section was used as the headquarters for guerilla forces and was hugely influential in the overall defeat of American forces. Be prepared to get a little dirty as these tunnels are not what you’d describe as spacious — if you’re claustrophobic, you may want to give this one a miss. Expect to pay between $10–20 for a group tour. To get the best deal, we suggest walking down Bui Vien and haggling with the many different tour companies available.
UNDER $20: EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH THE FOOD MARKETS
Just off Ben Thanh Market sits a great night market with lots of food stalls, beer and seating. The markets have a great selection of Vietnamese as well as other cuisines, so it’s a great option for trying a little of everything. If you don’t fancy testing the strength of your stomach with street food, this is the safer alternative. Prices are higher and portions aren’t as large as the local street food vendors’, but you can rely on an excellent variety of eats, served in a clean environment.
UNDER $100: INDULGE ON A DECADENT NIGHT OUT
It’s hard but definitely not impossible to splurge in Ho Chi Minh. An indulgent night becomes surprisingly easy to justify after spending a week living off of pho and 333 — and it’s still an awful lot cheaper than your average Saturday night out in Australia. For a night of cocktails and a slightly westernised menu, take a look at Thai hawker-inspired The Racha Room, The Refinery wine bar set in a former opium refinery and upmarket steakhouse Stoker. The View on Bui Vien has — surprise, surprise — great views of the city and is a lovely spot to enjoy a cheeky brewski in the sun. For a more upmarket vibe, Glow Bar towers over the city with incredible views at night.
UNDER $100: CHANNEL YOUR INNER DESIGNER
Take a wander through the Fabric Market, and be prepared to see more weaves, knits, prints and patterns than you’ve probably ever seen before. Feeling inspired? Pick out your prefered threads and head to a tailor to get something bespoke made. If the fabric decision process seems too daunting, though, you can just head straight to a tailor. Here, they’ll be able to guide you through the different fabrics and patterns and help you decide on what clothing you should get made.
ACCOMMODATION
Hot spots to stay around town on the cheap.
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HOTELS
If you’d rather something a little nicer than a hostel but still centrally located — head towards the water around Dong Khoi or Hai Ba Trung. This area is filled with more upmarket boutiques, bars and restaurants and is well worth spending the extra money. Silverland Central is a nice option and won’t break the bank at around $85 a night. If you want the luxury without the price tag, take a look at Bay Hotel. With its own rooftop pool overlooking the city, this place is exactly where you’ll want to spend those long hot summer days — and it’s a total bargain at around the $100 a night. -
HOSTELS
The main backpacker area is Bui Vien, where you can easily find accommodation for under $100. It will more than likely be loud and dedicated to cheap over aesthetic, but perfect if you’re planning on being out until all hours and just need a place to rest your head. If you are looking for a budget option, check out Long Hostel. Within walking distance from Bui Vien, this place has rooms starting from just $24 and while it might not be much to look at, it’s clean, friendly and situated just far enough away from the nightlife that you’ll still get a good night’s sleep. Sunny Guest House or Suite Backpackers Inn are also great options. Both located just off the Bui Vien, these will cost you an average of $40 per night.
Book your trip to Ho Chi Minh City on Jetstar to access the lowest fare available and save yourself some time shopping around thanks to their Price Beat Guarantee. And while you’re at it, book your accom and make sure to organise that ever-important travel insurance — Jetstar’s got you covered there, too.