💰 Click here to see Vietnam Budget Breakdown
💰 Prices updated: August, 2026. Budget figures are estimates — always verify before travel.
Exchange Rate: $1 USD = ₫26,296.00
Daily Budget (per person)
Shoestring: ₫394,440 – ₫1,314,800 ($15.00 – $50.00)
Mid-range: ₫1,051,840 – ₫3,944,400 ($40.00 – $150.00)
Comfortable: ₫2,629,600 – ₫13,148,000 ($100.00 – $500.00)
Accommodation (per night)
Hostel/guesthouse: ₫78,888 – ₫394,440 ($3.00 – $15.00)
Mid-range hotel: ₫315,552 – ₫2,366,640 ($12.00 – $90.00)
Food (per meal)
Budget meal: ₫40,000.00 ($1.52)
Mid-range meal: ₫200,000.00 ($7.61)
Upscale meal: ₫750,000.00 ($28.52)
Transport
Single metro/bus trip: ₫7,000.00 ($0.27)
Monthly transport pass: ₫258,333.00 ($9.82)
Ben Thanh Market and the Streets Around It
Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026 and heading straight to Ben Thanh Market is still the right move — but the experience has shifted. Since the Ben Thanh metro station opened as part of Line 1’s full rollout in late 2024, the crowds around the market have grown noticeably younger and more local. That’s actually good news for visitors: competition among vendors has tightened, prices are slightly more negotiable, and the surrounding street stalls have multiplied to capture the foot traffic spilling out from the station exits.
Inside the market, the layout runs in four compass directions from the central clock tower entrance on Lê Lợi. The Southern wing handles dry goods, lacquerware, and souvenirs. The northern section is stronger for fresh produce, dried seafood, and spices — the air thickens with the scent of star anise and dried shrimp the moment you cross into it. Clothing and silk fabric cluster near the east entrance on Phan Bội Châu.
The stalls that ring the exterior of Ben Thanh on Phan Chu Trinh and Lê Thánh Tôn are often better value than inside. Look for áo dài fabric, lacquered wooden chopstick sets, and hand-embroidered linen here. Vendors outside are faster to negotiate because they lack the captive-audience advantage of the interior slots.
Cho Lon: Saigon’s Wholesale District
Most visitors never make it out to Districts 5 and 6, and that’s a genuine mistake. Cho Lon — Ho Chi Minh City’s sprawling Chinatown — is not one market but a network of them, each specialising in something specific. Bình Tây Market is the anchor: a French-colonial building with a Chinese-style roof, packed with wholesale suppliers selling everything from plastic kitchenware to dried medicinal herbs in quantities that start at ten kilograms.
You don’t have to buy wholesale. Retail customers are welcome, and prices here run 15–40% below District 1 equivalents. The fabric district along Trần Hưng Đạo B is exceptional — bolts of Vietnamese cotton, imported Thai silk, and stiff ao dai brocade line both sides of the street for two full kilometres. Tailors cluster on the side streets behind, and most can turn fabric into a finished garment within 48 hours.
Cho Lon is best reached by Grab bike or taxi from District 1 (roughly 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic). The metro does not yet serve this area, though Line 2 extensions are planned for 2027. Go on a weekday morning before 11:00 — wholesale activity peaks early and the streets become harder to navigate in the afternoon heat.
Malls That Are Actually Worth It
Ho Chi Minh City has built a lot of malls in the last decade. Most of them are interchangeable. These ones are not.
Vincom Center (Đồng Khởi, District 1)
The most central upscale mall in the city, directly on Đồng Khởi Street. Strong for international sportswear brands, Vietnamese designer fashion labels, and the basement supermarket (Vinmart), which stocks imported goods and a surprisingly wide range of local packaged foods. Good air conditioning and clean bathrooms make it a reliable midday refuge.
Saigon Centre (Lê Lợi, District 1)
Takashimaya anchors this mall, and the Japanese department store’s basement food hall is the real draw. Local and regional snack brands, high-quality bento boxes, Vietnamese pastries, and Japanese grocery imports fill the space. The upper floors carry mid-to-premium fashion. Connected directly to the Ben Thanh metro station via underground walkway since 2025.
Crescent Mall (District 7, Phú Mỹ Hưng)
Worth the trip south if you’re staying in District 7 or want to see a more suburban, expat-heavy version of Saigon life. Stronger for home goods, children’s items, and the ground-floor wet market area that sells quality fresh produce. The cinema here shows English-language films without Vietnamese dubbing more reliably than some central-city options.
Sense Market (District 2, Thảo Điền)
Not a traditional mall — this is a curated indoor-outdoor market space that opened in 2025, built specifically around Vietnamese independent brands: ceramics, skincare, handmade leather goods, plant-dyed clothing. Expensive by local standards but genuinely original. The café attached to it serves good Vietnamese specialty coffee.
Streets for Specific Goods
Ho Chi Minh City runs on specialisation. Entire streets dedicate themselves to a single category of goods, and knowing which street to go to saves hours of wandering.
- Lê Công Kiều (District 1): Antiques, old ceramics, colonial-era furniture, and reproduction artwork. Most pieces are reproductions but sellers will tell you whatever you want to hear. Look carefully and negotiate firmly.
- Huỳnh Thúc Kháng (District 1): Electronics and mobile phones. Parallel imports, second-hand devices, accessories, and repair shops. Prices are competitive. Check warranty terms before buying.
- Hải Thượng Lãn Ông (District 5): Traditional Chinese medicine herbs, dried roots, seeds, and powders sold by weight. The smell of dried chrysanthemum and ginseng hangs in the air. Even if you’re not buying, it’s visually extraordinary.
- Tôn Thất Tùng (District 1): Wedding gear, party supplies, costumes, and formal dress rentals. Bright, chaotic, and surprisingly affordable for full traditional outfits.
- Nguyễn Trung Trực (District 1): Fresh flowers, potted plants, and dried floral arrangements. Best visited before 7:00 in the morning when deliveries arrive and the street smells like a garden.
Night Markets and Weekend Pop-Ups
After-dark shopping in Ho Chi Minh City has expanded well beyond the old Ben Thanh Night Market. In 2026, several distinct markets operate on weekends and weeknights across different districts, each pulling a different crowd.
Bùi Viện Walking Street remains the rowdiest option — clothing vendors, sunglasses, phone cases, and street food stalls running from 18:00 to past midnight every night of the week. The merchandise is inexpensive and the quality is variable. Good for cheap holiday clothing and basic souvenirs. The bass from surrounding bars thrums through the pavement as you walk.
Thảo Điền Night Market (District 2, weekends) runs along the river near Thảo Điền Pier and draws a mixed expat and local crowd. Independent Vietnamese designers sell small-batch clothing, jewelry, and art prints. Food stalls focus on fusion and vegetarian options. Noticeably quieter and more browsable than anything in District 1.
Phạm Văn Đồng Night Market (Bình Thạnh, weekends) is almost entirely local — large, dense, and cheap. Clothing, household goods, children’s toys, and street food. Almost no English spoken. Prices here are among the lowest in the city for fashion items. Reach it by Grab; it’s about 20 minutes north of the city centre.
2026 Budget Reality: What Things Cost
Shopping costs in Ho Chi Minh City have risen modestly since 2024, tracking general inflation, but the city remains excellent value by regional standards.
- Souvenir lacquerware (small piece): 80,000–200,000 VND (~$3–$8 USD) at Ben Thanh after negotiation
- Custom áo dài (fabric + tailoring): 600,000–1,500,000 VND (~$24–$60 USD) in Cho Lon; double that in District 1 tourist tailors
- Silk scarf (genuine silk, not synthetic): 250,000–500,000 VND (~$10–$20 USD); test by burning a single thread — real silk smells like hair, not plastic
- Mid-range Vietnamese brand clothing (mall): 350,000–800,000 VND (~$14–$32 USD) per item
- International brand sneakers (Vincom): 2,500,000–5,000,000 VND (~$100–$200 USD); similar to or slightly above home-country prices
- Handmade ceramic bowl (Sense Market): 200,000–600,000 VND (~$8–$24 USD)
- Second-hand smartphone (Huỳnh Thúc Kháng): 1,500,000–4,000,000 VND (~$60–$160 USD) depending on model and condition
Bargaining, Scams, and Shopping Smart
Ho Chi Minh City in 2026 is not a city that will cheat you dramatically — but it will test your attention. A few things to keep in mind.
Fixed prices exist at malls and branded shops. Do not try to bargain at Vincom or Saigon Centre — it wastes everyone’s time. Negotiation is for markets, street stalls, and independent vendors only.
The “one price” sign means nothing at street markets. Vendors displaying “fixed price” signs in English near tourist areas are still open to negotiation. It’s a tactic, not a policy.
Counterfeit goods are everywhere and improving in quality. Designer bags, branded sportswear, and electronics accessories sold on the street are almost certainly not genuine. Buy them knowing that, or don’t buy them.
Grab receipts on ride apps. If a vendor insists on calling you a taxi rather than letting you use Grab, decline. Metered taxis from tourist markets still overcharge occasionally. Grab pricing is transparent and fixed.
VAT refund for tourists became more accessible in 2025. Foreign visitors spending over 2,000,000 VND (~$80 USD) in a single participating store can claim VAT refund at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport. Ask for the red VAT refund receipt at checkout in malls — not all cashiers offer it automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ben Thanh Market still worth visiting in 2026?
Yes, but manage expectations. It remains the city’s most central and convenient shopping landmark, and the range of goods is genuinely broad. Prices are higher than in outer districts, but with negotiation you can do well on souvenirs, fabric, and food items. The metro connection makes it easier to reach than ever.
What is the best area to buy custom clothing in Ho Chi Minh City?
Cho Lon (Districts 5 and 6) offers the best combination of fabric choice, tailoring skill, and price. For áo dài specifically, the Trần Hưng Đạo B fabric strip gives you the widest material selection. Budget 48 hours minimum for a finished garment and bring reference photos of what you want.
Are the malls in Ho Chi Minh City worth visiting over markets?
Depends what you’re buying. For international brands, reliable sizing, air conditioning, and consistent quality, malls win. For souvenirs, local character, food, and negotiable prices, markets are better. Saigon Centre’s Takashimaya basement is a genuine exception — quality local products at fair fixed prices with no hassle.
How do I avoid overpaying at street markets?
Research prices online before you go. Start any counter-offer at 40–50% of the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle. Never show strong interest in a specific item before negotiating. Walking away is your most effective tool. If a vendor won’t move below double what seems fair, leave and find another stall.
Can I get a VAT refund on shopping in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. Since the expanded 2025 policy, tourists can claim VAT refunds at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport on purchases of 2,000,000 VND or more from participating retailers. Collect the official red VAT refund invoice at point of sale, fill it out before departure, and present it at the refund counter before check-in.
Explore more
Best Day Trips from Ho Chi Minh City: Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta & More
Best Places to Eat in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — Where to Find Great Food
What to Eat in Ho Chi Minh City: Your Ultimate Saigon Food Guide
📷 Featured image by Hiep Nguyen on Unsplash.
