Cho Lon Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Travel Guide
These figures are approximate and can fluctuate. They cover accommodation, food, local transport, and basic attractions.
Budget Traveler (USD 25-50/day): Hostel dorm bed or basic guesthouse (VND 150,000-350,000). Mainly street food or local "quán" (VND 100,000-200,000 for 3 meals). Public buses, walking, occasional Grab bike.
The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND), symbolized as ₫. Major hotels, upscale restaurants, and large shops accept credit cards.
Cash remains preferred for street food, markets, smaller businesses, and local transportation. Be mindful of the many zeros on large denominations; VND 100,000 is approximately USD 4.
Estimates as of the BEGINNING of 2024
150,000-350,000 (USD 6-14)
2,500,000+ (USD 100+)
Estimates as of early 2024
30,000-70,000 (USD 1.20-2.80)
500,000+ (USD 20+)
Estimates as of early 2024
6,000-10,000 (USD 0.25-0.40)
200,000-350,000 (USD 8-14)
Focus on street food and local "quán" (small eateries). Cho Lon excels in delicious and affordable food options. A bowl of pho or a banh mi costs a fraction of a Western meal. Utilize the extensive public bus network for longer distances. Fares are very low.
Walk or use Grab bike for a short and inexpensive way to get around. Bargaining is expected at markets like Binh Tay. Start by offering around 50-70% of the asking price and negotiate politely. Choose budget guesthouses or hotels, many with clean, comfortable rooms.
Street food and local eateries are budget-friendly.
Buses offer a very affordable way to travel.
Negotiate the cost at markets for purchases.
Guesthouses make for great value stays.
Local beer or iced tea cost less than imports.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, sits in the southern part of Vietnam, a country in Southeast Asia. Its location makes it a gateway to the fertile Mekong Delta.
The city lies on the western bank of the Saigon River, approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the South China Sea. This key position along a major river and near the sea historically made Ho Chi Minh City a center for trade.
The story of Cho Lon begins in the late 18th century, when Chinese immigrants settled in the area, establishing a thriving trading post. It quickly grew into a busy commercial center.
The journey between District 1 (city center) and Cho Lon takes around 15-30 minutes by taxi or Grab, depending on traffic.
