Money Saving Tips in Saigon

Top money-saving tips in Saigon

Budget travel in Saigon is totally possible! Last time we talked about 11 tips to save money in Vietnam. Now, we attempt a saving guide for Saigon specifically. Let’s see how you can go sightseeing, eating and exploring all of Saigon at incredibly small costs.

Money Saving Tips in Saigon No.1 - Accommodation: Stay in Cheap Hotels in Saigon

An affordable hotel, with a comfortable bed and a big enough bathroom, is perfect already since you won’t spend much time in the hotel except for a good night’s sleep, a shower, or a quick nap at noon. Hotels in Saigon that meet the above criteria are scattered across all districts, with prices ranging between VND 300,000 to VND 600,000 (US$ 13 to US$ 25) per night.

You should book hotels in central districts including District 1, 3, 5, 10 for traveling convenience to attractions in the city. Note that budget hotels might be less available in the fancy District 1, especially in the major streets like Hai Ba Trung and Ton Duc Thang where many luxury hotels are located.

Look for affordable hotels in Saigon below:

Money Savings Tips in Saigon No.2 - Sightseeing: Visit Free-Entrance Attractions

Even when paying very little or no admission fees, you can still visit dozens of cultural and historical attractions in Ho Chi Minh City like Notre Dame Cathedral with its exquisite French-style architecture, the Central Post Office nearby with its warming gold color, Nguyen Hue Walking Street by the breezy Saigon River and splendid buildings on two sides, Cho Lon Chinatown in Saigon, War Remnants Museum, and Independence Palace, to name but a few.

You can visit most of Saigon without a lot of entrance fees, but this way you have to cover the cost of traveling between the places. So an alternative for you is to book an adventure motorbike tour in Saigon, getting to know Saigon authentically with experienced local guides.

Notre Dame Cathedral is an appealing free attraction in Saigon

Money Saving Tips in Saigon No.3 - Eating: Opt for Street Foods in Saigon

Unless you have a soft spot for upscale restaurants, eating in Saigon won’t cost you very much. While family restaurants are also a good option, the diverse world of street foods in Saigon can get you through the day: mouthwatering banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), delectable pho (beef noodle soup), tasty spring rolls, and so on. Prices for these dishes start at a meager VND 20,000 (US$ 1). Banh mi and pho are extremely available, can be found almost anywhere in Saigon, but spring rolls may be a bit difficult to come by.

Street food is the way to go for saving money in Saigon

Check out: Most popular food streets in Saigon.

Talking about Saigon cuisine, it is impossible to not mention Vietnamese desserts! They are a superb culinary creation from red beans, green peas, or black beans cooked in simple ways but with careful preparation, combined with other delicate family-recipe ingredients. And they can be found in almost all Saigon’s local markets or at street food vendors’ carts.

Read more: How much money do I need for Saigon?

Money Saving Tips in Saigon No.4 - Transportation: How to Travel around Saigon without Costing Much Money

Buses are a cheap and popular means of transport in Saigon, you can get around the downtown districts, dropping by local attractions quite easily; the typical bus fare is VND 6,000 (US$ 0.3). Check out our Saigon bus-taking guide for more details.

Another common choice these days in Saigon is motorbike taxis booked via ride-hailing apps like Grab and Go-Viet. But there are certain precautions you should mind before booking the hired transportation.

If you travel in a big group (of 7, for example), then taking a taxi can also be an economical choice. The average taxi fare is VND 16,000 (US$ 0.7) per kilometer.

And, if you’re an avid planner and you have a list of to-visit Saigon attractions already, you can book a hotel near those attractions and walk to get there, taking in the atmosphere of Saigon as you go.

Look for discounted bus tickets below:

Money Saving Tips in Saigon No.5 - Shopping: Get Good Bargains in Saigon with Skills

For effective shopping in Saigon, you should think about what to buy in Saigon and second, learn how to bargain in Saigon’s local markets. Besides the tips we give in the bargaining skills guide, you can also do these steps: check prices online to judge for yourself if the seller is trying to give you an overpriced deal. Anyway, learning some typical Vietnamese phrases for haggling is a good way to go about it, since the seller may know they shouldn’t fool with you. Knowing these tips, you’ll avoid being ripped off.

Related: Where to exchange money in Ho Chi Minh City.

Summary of Money-Saving Tips in Saigon

We all agree that saving money on travel trips is a top concern for every traveler. And to save money in Saigon, you can think about staying in budget hotels, visiting free attractions, and sampling street foods. Don't fear you’ll miss out on the best of Saigon following these guidelines since they are actually the top-notch deals Saigon has to offer.

To have fun trips in Ho Chi Minh City, check out our authentic motorbike tours with professional local guides!