Last August, I flew to Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon), Vietnam, with a friend for 5 days and 5 nights. I have been to Ho Chi Minh City early last year, but only for a quick stop before going back to Manila. The last time I went around and explored Saigon was back in May 2014. Ten years later, I am back to check out what has changed in the last decade.
In this 5-day Vietnam trip, I only spent less than ₱22,500 all-in, including return airfare, accommodation, food, day tours, and lots of coffee. I will share in this post how I made it happen. I will also provide the list of expenses incurred during the trip.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest financial and economic center. It may not be the country’s capital (it is Hanoi), but it is the country’s most populous city. It is also the main hub of the country’s southern region.
The city is known for its ‘old meets new’ type of culture, architecture, and way of life. It is a place to enjoy delicious food, great coffee, and hospitable locals.
In case you want to know, I flew to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, last year. I wrote about this quick weekend visit and I want you to check it out here.
Plane Tickets
We booked our tickets 6 months before the intended trip and paid ₱6,358.84 per person return. We flew with Cebu Pacific Air in their late-night flight to Ho Chi Minh City and red-eye flight back to Manila.
This return ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on luggage both ways and 20 kilograms of checked luggage on the way back. No preferred seats and inflight meals were included in the ticket.
This return ticket could have been cheaper if only we waited for the lower base fare promotion. It was still a good deal considering the flight duration, distance, and destination.
On top of this ticket, I also paid the Philippine Travel Tax of ₱1,620 before leaving Manila. This travel tax is required for all Philippine passport holders going out of the country for holiday or vacation.
In case you missed it, I flew with Vietnam Airlines last January 2023 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on the Airbus A350 business class. I wrote about this trip and I hope you can check it out here.
Accommodation
Given the late-night flight schedules, my friend and I had to book 6 nights in our accommodation. We stayed at Akoya Central Saigon Hotel, near Bến Thành Market. We got a superior king room and paid ₱5,014.83 each for all 6 nights, including breakfast.
The windowless room includes a king bed, a private toilet and shower, a small refrigerator, a workstation, a safe box, and a clothes rack. The property has a lift, which can be used to go up to and down from the rooms. The property also has a breakfast buffet for guests who included this in their bookings.
Looking for a cheaper alternative? I went to Ho Chi Minh City in 2023 and stayed for a few nights with a family-owned hostel, Long Hostel. I wrote about my hostel experience and shared it in this hostel of the day feature.
Going Around Ho Chi Minh City
Going around Ho Chi Minh City can be challenging, depending on which part of the city you are staying in. If you stay around District 1 (like we did), you can pretty much walk to all major tourist spots. Some visitors rent a motorcycle to go around the city while others take a Grab, Southeast Asia’s version of Uber. Public buses are also available but can be quite challenging for visitors.
Traveling to and from the airport is best via Grab, the region’s ride-hailing application. In our case, we opted for a private airport transfer upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City. We booked our airport transfer via Klook and paid ₱460.70 for two people.
Internet Sim Card
I bought an internet eSIM from ByteSIM and paid ₱398.59, including foreign transaction service fees. The $6.84 eSIM had 5 gigabytes of data valid for 7 days from the day of activation. The eSIM does not include local phone calls and messaging.
Are you in need of an affordable internet SIM for your next trip? Check out ByteSIM. Use my referral link and get a $3 off coupon after your first purchase.
Travel Insurance
One of my non-negotiables when going on a trip is getting travel insurance. This insurance protects me from any happenings, delays, cancellations, or unexpected circumstances during a trip.
For this Saigon trip, I bought my travel insurance from Malayan Insurance. I paid ₱408.00 for the Travel Master Insurance product that covers up to ₱1 million in claims.
Pocket Money
Most merchants and establishments in Ho Chi Minh City still prefer cash as the mode of payment. I got VND 1,500,000 from one of the ATMs in the airport arrival hall. I used my GCash Visa Card, and I was charged ₱3,557.11. GCash’ Visa card has one of the best international withdrawal rates in the country. Make sure to get yours before your next trip.
Tours & Activities
We maximized our time around the city by joining half- and whole-day tours and activities. We booked all these activities from Klook.
Mekong River Day Tour
My friend and I joined a large group tour to the Mekong Delta. Our guide, Huy, picked us up from our hotel, and we took a bus to Mỹ Tho. From there, we enjoyed a boat cruise to Unicorn Island (Ky Lan), where we explored an orchid garden, listened to local musicians, and snacked on fresh fruits. We also visited a local shop for coconut water, checked out a bee farm, sampled honey tea, and even took photos with a snake.
Next, we boated over to Cù lao Thới Sơn and toured a coconut candy factory. We then hopped on a motorized rickshaw for a ride along the river to our lunch spot. Before eating, we paddled through serene coconut canals on a small boat. After lunch, we took a tuktuk and boat back to the mainland.
On our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, we stopped by Vinh Trang Pagoda. We booked the tour through Klook for ₱1,011.05 per person after the discount.
Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour
We joined another group tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Our guide, Tom, picked us up from our hotel, and we took a private bus to a local lacquer village. After that, we explored the Cu Chi Tunnels, walking around various tunnels and bomb craters. After our tour, we enjoyed some boiled cassava before heading back to the city.
We booked the tour through Klook for ₱904.65 per person after the discount.
Street Food on Scooter Tour
We joined a night street food tour on scooters. Our guide, Denny, picked us up from our hotel and took us to various street food spots. We enjoyed a feast that included bún bò huế (beef rice noodle soup), banana sticky rice, Vietnamese beer, grilled scallops, clam soup, Vietnamese pizza, crispy banana crackers, beef rolls, fresh spring rolls, sugar cane juice, coffee pudding, and, of course, bánh mì. That was a lot of food in just 3-4 hours!
During the tour, we also explored the 24-hour flower market and zipped through districts 1, 3, and 10. We booked this street food tour through Klook for ₱1,599.05 per person after the discount.
Golden Water Puppet Show
The Golden Water Puppet Show is a captivating 45-minute performance showcasing enchanting Vietnamese folk tales and legends, all staged in a pool with stunning backdrops. The accompanying music and sound effects are provided by an orchestra using traditional Vietnamese instruments.
My friend and I pre-booked our tickets through Klook for ₱689.90 per person after the discount. Since the show often sells out, it is a good idea to secure your tickets early.
Places Visited in Ho Chi Minh City
Aside from the joiner tours above, we also took time to walk around District 1 and we went to the following places:
War Remnants Museum
The War Remnants Museum offers a poignant look at the history and harsh realities of the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War. Its exhibitions detail the events that unfolded during these conflicts and their lasting impact on the country and its people.
This museum is a must-see in Ho Chi Minh City, and no visit is complete without it. Entry tickets are priced at VND 40,000 per person and can be purchased at the museum entrance. It is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bến Thành Market
Bến Thành Market is Saigon’s version of Central Market. It is a popular shopping destination for tourists or visitors. It started out as a trading hub in the 17th century and has evolved into the city’s most famous market.
Bùi Viện Walking Street
Bùi Viện Walking Street is the city’s entertainment and nightlife center. It has restaurants, pubs, bars, and shops located along the busy 850-meter strip.
Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is a Catholic cathedral built by the French colonists in the 1860s. It is the largest Catholic church in Vietnam and a known icon of Ho Chi Minh City. Entry into the cathedral is free of charge.
Saigon Central Post Office
Adjacent to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office is a renowned city landmark celebrated for its distinctive architectural style. It showcases a blend of neo-classical European design with subtle Asian influences. The building remains an active post office and is open to all visitors.
Ho Chi Minh City Book Street
Situated along Nguyen Van Binh Street, the HCMC Book Street is a pedestrian street dedicated to bookworms. Various shops sell new and pre-owned Vietnamese books and merchandise. The community also conducts workshops and selected activities for kids.
Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building is the city’s local government office.
Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City
The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as the Siagon Opera House, is the city’s main theater. The theater hosts cultural performances, musicals, concerts, and even official government functions.
Saigon Skydeck
The Saigon Skydeck is one of two observation decks in Ho Chi Minh City, situated on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower. It provides stunning 360-degree views of the city.
My friend and I purchased our tickets through Klook for ₱525.75 per person after the discount. Our tickets included a fridge magnet souvenir and access to unlimited drinking water during our visit.
Café Apartment Building
Situated at No. 42 Nguyen Hue Street, the popular Café Apartment Building is home to numerous cafes and restaurants. You can access these spots for free via the back stairs, or use the elevators for a convenience fee of VND 3,000.
Independence Palace
The Independence Palace was once the official residence and workplace of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. It features numerous banquet halls, offices, and rooms that hosted the country’s official functions. Today, the palace operates as a museum, attracting thousands of local and international visitors each day.
Tickets are priced at VND 65,000 per person, and the museum is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
RESTAURANT & CAFE Recommendations
Here is the list of coffee shops and restaurants we tried during our 5-day visit around Ho Chi Minh City.
Tonkin Specialty Coffee (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)
Trung Nguyên Coffee (Vietnamese Coffee)
Phúc Long Coffee & Tea (Milk Tea)
OKKIO Tự Do (Saigon-style Coffee – Bạc Xỉu)
Eggyolk Coffee (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)
21Grams – Vegetarian (Coconut Coffee)
Little HaNoi Egg Coffee (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)
Bếp Mẹ Ỉn – Lê Thánh Tôn (Michelin Bib Gourmand eatery)
Phở Phú Vương (Beef phở restaurant)
Phở Hà (Chicken phở restaurant)
Summary of Expenses
Here’s a summary of everything spent on this 5-day and 5-night trip around Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:
Disclaimer: The expenses above do not include personal shopping such as Vietnamese coffee and the likes.
I spent ₱22,318.12 for a 5-day weekend in Saigon, covering plane tickets, accommodation, tours, pocket money, and everything trip-related. I think I could have saved more by booking during a ₱1 base fare sale or reducing the number of days of my stay. Overall, though, it was an affordable, enjoyable, and interesting trip.
This 5-day Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) trip summary shows that traveling within a budget is still possible despite the inflated cost of everything around us. One needs to just plan everything out and choose the places to visit.
Have you been to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) recently? How was your trip? I hope you had fun! Which place do you want to visit again? I hope you can share your experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You may send them to me via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com.
Thank you for joining me in today’s Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) trip recap. I hope to visit more and more places on a budget and share how I did it with everyone. Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next one!
PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.