Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Aswan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City?
Aswan
Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt, The Best 2-Week Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Vietnam.
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Aswan Prices
Egypt PricesHo Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAswan $31Ho Chi Minh City $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $31, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $87. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Aswan and Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAswan $10Ho Chi Minh City $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAswan $20Ho Chi Minh City $96
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Aswan Hotel Prices and Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aswan $5.70Ho Chi Minh City $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:
- Nile Adventure Transfer from Aswan to Luxor by Felucca and Car: $280
- Private transfer from aswan Airport To Marsa alam: $207
- Marvel 3-Days Unique Guided Tours Aswan, Abu Simbel & Luxor with all Transfers : $167
- 3-Day Guided tours to Aswan, Abu Simbel and Luxor & Train and Transfers : $167
- Transfer from Aswan to Abu Simbel.: $166
- Abu Simbel from Aswan in Egypt - Private Tour (guide and transfers Included): $150
- Aswan to Hurghada Private Door to Door Transfer: $140
- Luxury Private Transfer: Aswan to Marsa Alam - Nile to Red Sea: $136
- Private Transfer from Aswan to Marsa Alam: $130
- "Aswan to Hurghada: Luxe Private Transfer - Comfort Guaranteed ": $130
- Aswan to Hurghada - or vice ( Private Transfer ): $115
- Edfu and Kom Ombo Day Tour with Luxor Transfer: $115
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.33
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Taxi From Airport$7.58
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Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mui Ne Beach: Bus transfer from/to Saigon City: $8.67
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrival Or Departure By Private Car Transfers: $13
- Ho Chi Minh city Private Airport Transfer: $14
- Comfort Van Transfer From Phong Nha or Dong Hoi to Hue : $14
- Try find better than us! Airport Transfer in Ho Chi Minh HTL-APT (SGN): $15
- Private Arrival Transfer: Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ho Chi Minh City Hotels: $15
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrival Or Departure Private Car Transfers: $15
- Private Transfer From Saigon Center To Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN): $16
- Private Transfer from Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang City Center: $17
- Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Ho Chi Minh hotels Arrival Transfer: $17
- Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) Departure Transfer: $17
- Private transfer Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) - Hotels In City: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Aswan change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAswan $16Ho Chi Minh City $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aswan.
- Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
- Savor Nubian Cuisine: Lunch or Dinner in a Local Village: $50
- Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $51
- Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
- Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $60
- Private 3-Hour Nubian Party with Dinner and Pickup in Aswan: $77
- Aswan Sunset Dinner Cruise: $80
- Your Grandmothers Cooking Class In Aswan : $90
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
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Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.06
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Pizza$4.93
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Sweet Rice$1.14
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Pork Sandwich$0.57
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.43
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Western Lunch (for Two)$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vietnamese Cooking and Craft Workshop by the Lake: $12
- Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: $15
- Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking: $24
- Saigon Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $25
- Pu Luong Cooking Class at Traditional Stilt House: $25
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour With Students: $27
- Saigon - Tasty Food Tour By Scooters: $28
- Private Half-Day Ho Chi Minh Food Tour with Local Students: $29
- Ho Chi Minh Private Half Day Street Food Tour with Local Students: $29
- Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour With Young Local (Safe & Authentic): $29
- The Coolest Vegan Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $29
- Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aswan $9.77Ho Chi Minh City $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:
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Temple Kom Ombo for Two$1.26
Tours and Activities in Aswan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:
- Abu Simbel Temples Full Day Tour From Aswan With Entry Tickets : $99
- Aswan : day tour, Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk &High Dam: $35
- Aswan Luxury Car Tour: $75
- Aswan private tour,Philae Temple, high Dam &unfinished obelisk : $35
- Day Tour From Aswan To Luxor by Car: $190
- Full-Day Tour to Philae Temple and Nubian Village (Private): $49
- High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, & Philae Private Tour: $20
- Kayak Tour around the Temple of Philae & Heissa Island : $30
- Nubian Village Day Tour In Aswan: $25
- Philae Temple Night Experience (Sound and Light show). : $65
- Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam Tour: $95
- Private Day Tour to Luxor from Aswan: $65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Massage$5.31
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Highlights & Hidden Gems - Free Walking Tour: $0.74
- Chinatown Hidden Treasures – Free Walking Tour: $0.74
- All In One Saigon Walking Tour: $3.11
- Saigon Local Sightseeing Free Walking Tour: $3.84
- Commander Cave All-Inclusive Admission Ticket: $4.66
- Ho Chi Minh city private tour guide: $5.00
- Walking Tour: $5.00
- Essential Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: All Must-see: $5.00
- Vietnam Sun World Sam Son Water Park Fun Ticket: $6.37
- Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.98
- Private Ho Chi Minh 30 minutes Experience by Electric Cart: $9.71
- Bitexco Financial Tower: Saigon Skydeck General Admission Ticket: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAswan $1.12Ho Chi Minh City $7.57
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Beer$0.38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aswan and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aswan is in Africa and Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Aswan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aswan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Ho Chi Minh City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ho Chi Minh City than you might in Aswan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aswan Expensive? and Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aswan or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan and Ho Chi Minh City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.