What currency is used in Ho Chi Minh City?

Ho Chi Minh City uses the Vietnamese dong (VND).

What is the emergency number in Ho Chi Minh City?

In Ho Chi Minh City, call 113 for police, 114 for fire, 115 for an ambulance.

How much does a day in Ho Chi Minh City cost?

Roughly $25-45 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $60-110 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Ho Chi Minh City without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Ho Chi Minh City travel guide

Vietnam

Still called Saigon by most locals, this is Vietnam's largest city: millions of motorbikes, French colonial landmarks, rooftop bars and excellent street food served on plastic stools.

Essentials

Language: Vietnamese; English is spoken in hotels, tourist areas and by many younger people
Currency: Vietnamese dong (VND)
Plugs: Mostly Types A and C, 220 V
Emergency number: 113 for police, 114 for fire, 115 for an ambulance
Tipping: Not traditional, but appreciated in tourist restaurants, spas and by tour guides.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $25-45, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $60-110, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City

District 1: the old centre, still known by its former district name, with Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue walking street and the colonial post office.
District 3: another former district name still in everyday use: leafier streets, old villas and local eateries just west of the centre.
Thao Dien: a calmer riverside area across the Saigon River with cafés and green space.

Getting around Ho Chi Minh City

Ride-hailing apps for cars and motorbike taxis are the easiest way around. Metro Line 1 runs from Ben Thanh out to the eastern suburbs.

Best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City

December to April, the dry season; from May to November expect short, heavy afternoon downpours.

Top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Spend a sobering couple of hours at the War Remnants Museum
Tour the Independence Palace, kept much as it was in 1975
See the vaulted hall and painted wall maps of the Saigon Central Post Office, built under French rule
Visit the incense-filled Thien Hau Temple in Cholon, the old Chinese quarter
Join an evening street-food tour on the back of a motorbike

What to eat in Ho Chi Minh City

Com tam: broken rice with grilled pork chop and pickles, often topped with a fried egg
Banh mi: a crackly baguette filled with pâté, cold cuts, pickles and herbs
Banh xeo: a crisp turmeric pancake folded around prawns, pork and bean sprouts
Ca phe sua da: strong drip coffee over ice with sweetened condensed milk

Day trips from Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi Tunnels: the wartime tunnel network, about 90 minutes north-west by road
Mekong Delta: boat trips through canals and orchards around My Tho or Ben Tre, around two hours south-west
Tay Ninh: the colourful Cao Dai Holy See, often combined with Cu Chi, two to three hours away

Local etiquette

Dress modestly and remove your shoes in pagodas and homes. Keep your temper in disputes, as raising your voice causes loss of face and rarely helps.

Staying connected

Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobifone SIMs are sold at the airport with a passport, eSIMs are widely available, and almost every café has free Wi-Fi.

Staying safe

Phone and bag snatching by passing motorbikes is the main risk, so hold your phone away from the kerb and wear bags across the body. Use ride-hailing apps or reputable metered taxis to avoid inflated fares.

A local tip

Cross the road at a slow, steady pace and do not stop suddenly; the motorbikes will flow around you.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Ho Chi Minh City on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Ho Chi Minh City for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Ho Chi Minh City, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Ho Chi Minh City

What currency is used in Ho Chi Minh City?: Ho Chi Minh City uses the Vietnamese dong (VND).
What is the emergency number in Ho Chi Minh City?: In Ho Chi Minh City, call 113 for police, 114 for fire, 115 for an ambulance.
When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?: December to April, the dry season; from May to November expect short, heavy afternoon downpours.
How much does a day in Ho Chi Minh City cost?: Roughly $25-45 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $60-110 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Ho Chi Minh City?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Ho Chi Minh City without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

More guides in Asia

All Asia guides · Every city guide