Friends, get ready for a city that buzzes from sunrise until long past midnight, with scooters, street kitchens, and neon-lit skylines all competing for your attention.

Ho Chi Minh City (still affectionately called Saigon) mixes historic streets, modern towers, and wallet-friendly prices that make every day feel full without draining your funds.

This guide walks you through key sights, realistic costs, savvy savings, and smooth ways to get around in 2025.

Top Highlights

For a dramatic city panorama, head to the observation deck in the Bitexco Financial Tower, often called the Saigon Skydeck. Tickets are usually around 200,000 VND (about 7–8 USD) and the views stretch over the river, tangled streets, and glittering lights if you visit near sunset.

In District 1, Ben Thanh Market is essential for anyone who loves browsing stalls filled with souvenirs, clothing, local snacks, and everyday essentials. Expect to bargain gently and keep valuables close, as the lively crowds can get dense; budget 100,000–300,000 VND (4–12 USD) if you plan to pick up gifts and sample several dishes.

Cho Lon, the city’s historic Chinatown, offers another side of Saigon with traditional shophouses, herb stores, and busy wholesale markets. It is an excellent place to wander, people-watch, and try classic noodle and rice dishes for 40,000–80,000 VND (about 1.5–3 USD) per plate.

Many visitors also book a half-day excursion to a famous underground tunnel network outside the city, dating back to the 1960s and stretching for kilometers beneath the countryside. Tours commonly start around 350,000 VND (roughly 13–15 USD) including transport, and involve walking through forested areas and trying short sections of the narrow tunnels.

When you need a breather from traffic, head to parks such as 23/9 Park near the backpacker district, where locals exercise, chat, or relax in the shade. A short city break can also include Can Gio, a coastal district and biosphere reserve about two hours away, often sold as day trips in the 600,000–1,200,000 VND (23–46 USD) range including transport and activities.

Budget Stays

Hostels in Ho Chi Minh City are famously inexpensive, with basic dorm beds averaging around 75,000 VND (3 USD) per night and some outliers dropping as low as 25,000 VND (1 USD) in occasional deals. Private rooms in budget hostels and guesthouses typically land around 500,000–625,000 VND (20–25 USD) per night, often including air-conditioning and Wi‑Fi.

Backpackers using dorms, street food, and public transit can expect to spend 625,000–875,000 VND (25–35 USD) per day. Midrange travelers staying in private rooms and using taxis or ride-hailing should budget 1,250,000–2,000,000 VND (50–80 USD). Comfort seekers choosing nicer hotels, tours, and upscale dining will spend from 2,500,000 VND (100 USD) per day.

Food Finds

Street food is the heart of Saigon’s budget dining scene, with many dishes priced between 25,000 and 50,000 VND (about 1–2 USD). Popular options include crisp baguette-style sandwiches layered with vegetables and sauces, steaming bowls of noodle soup, fresh spring rolls, and rice plates topped with grilled chicken or tofu.

Small local eateries, often simple shopfronts with plastic stools, generally serve generous meals for 60,000–90,000 VND (2.5–3.5 USD). Western-style cafés and restaurants charge more, usually 200,000–400,000 VND (8–15 USD) per person, but still feel affordable compared with many global cities.

Vietnamese coffee culture is strong here, and a glass of robust iced coffee with condensed milk typically runs 20,000–50,000 VND (under 2 USD). It is common to sit streetside and watch the stream of scooters roll past while planning the rest of the day.

Getting Around

Public buses are one of the cheapest ways to move between districts, with fares usually 6,000–10,000 VND (about 0.25–0.40 USD) per ride. Recent systems allow both cash and e-ticket options, and a 1‑day pass around 40,000 VND or 3‑day pass near 90,000 VND can be excellent value if you ride frequently.

A big 2025 upgrade is Metro Line 1, linking Ben Thanh Market in the center with the Eastern Bus Terminal over nearly 20 kilometers. The line includes underground and elevated stations, reaching areas that used to require slower bus or taxi journeys and cutting peak-hour travel times significantly.

From the airport, local buses cost about 6,000 VND (around 0.20–0.25 USD) per person, plus a similar fee for large luggage on some routes. Ride-hailing services generally charge 100,000–250,000 VND (4–10 USD) into central districts depending on traffic and time of day, while traditional taxis usually fall between 130,000 and 170,000 VND (5–7 USD).

Within the city, ride-hailing apps are often more transparent and slightly cheaper than flagging a random cab, since you see the fare before confirming. Short hops inside central districts can be as low as 40,000 VND (under 2 USD), especially outside the busiest hours.

Safe & Smooth

Ho Chi Minh City feels generally safe, but like any big city, petty theft can happen in crowded areas and around busy intersections. Keep bags zipped and close to your body, avoid holding your phone out over the street, and be extra alert in markets and at bus stops.

Traffic can seem overwhelming at first; when crossing, choose a safe gap, walk steadily at a constant pace, and let drivers gauge your movement. At night, choose well-lit streets, use reputable taxis or ride-hailing, and keep copies of key documents in a separate place from originals.

Best Time

The most comfortable period typically runs from December to March, with warm days, lower humidity, and clear skies drawing many visitors. April and May are noticeably hotter, while May to September brings regular showers that usually pass quickly, leaving cooler air behind.

Expect higher accommodation prices and busier streets during major national holidays around late January or early February, when locals travel heavily. If you prefer calmer conditions and better deals, consider shoulder months like November or early April.

Final Thoughts

Lykkers, Ho Chi Minh City rewards curiosity: simple meals, hostel conversations, sky-high views, and market wanderings all come together at pleasantly low prices. With clear expectations on costs, routes, and safety, you can shape a trip that fits your budget while still feeling rich in experiences. What part of this buzzing city excites you most—the street food, the skyline, or the day trips—and when are you planning to go?