A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ho Chi Minh City vs. Mount Bromo for Food, Families, Backpackers, and Couples

Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Mount Bromo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is a busy, diverse, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater. See Ho Chi Minh City travel costs.

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is a breathtaking, scenic, and spectacular volcano. Many visitors also come to Mount Bromo because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Mount Bromo travel costs.

Ho Chi Minh City and Mount Bromo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ho Chi Minh City than Mount Bromo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ho Chi Minh City is better known for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Mount Bromo is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Ho Chi Minh City is well known for its motorbike-filled streets, bustling markets, world-class cuisine, and diverse shopping opportunities. Also, Ho Chi Minh City is famous for the War Remnants Museum. Mount Bromo is well known for its sunrise views and scenic setting.

How is Ho Chi Minh City different from Mount Bromo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mount Bromo and Ho Chi Minh City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo?

Ho Chi Minh City is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. However, Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Ho Chi Minh City from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's a day trip outside of town, but the Cu Chi Tunnels are a must-see stop for any visitor. The War Remnants Museum is also a not-to-be-missed spot. Other highlights of the city include Thiên Hau Temple, the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, the Saigon Opera House, and the Reunification Palace.

Mount Bromo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo Better for Theater?

Ho Chi Minh City is a popular place for theatre. However, Mount Bromo is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Ho Chi Minh City, take in a show. Water puppetry is a traditional art form that originated in the rural areas and was brought to the city. It is a fun cultural experience that kids and adults both enjoy. You can see it at The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre.

Mount Bromo is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ho Chi Minh City is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Mount Bromo is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Ho Chi Minh City is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. This city, arguably, has some of the best food in Vietnam. You'll find everything from food stalls selling mouthwatering street food to luxury restaurants preparing traditional dishes with a modern twist. Banh Mi (a Vietnamese sandwich) and Pho (Vietnamese soup) are the most well known dishes around town, but also try the Bún mắm (a noodle dish) and Bún bò Huế (a beef based soup).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Mount Bromo. You'll find cheap noodle and rice dishes at the warungs in Cemoro Lawang. Some hotels have breakfast and you should pick up some food and water for the hike at a grocery store in town. There are also some stalls along the route, some that are open even at 3am to accommodate early hikers.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo Better for Nightlife?

Ho Chi Minh City is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, Mount Bromo is not known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city never settles down and you'll find all night parties and dance clubs open into the early hours. Backpackers keep the energy high, but there are also luxury clubs and more relaxed places where you can have a good night out if the backpacker thing isn't your scene.

People don't go to Mount Bromo for the nightlife. The stars and the early morning hike are the only nightlife you'll find here.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo Better for Hiking?

Mount Bromo is great for hiking. However, Ho Chi Minh City is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Mount Bromo for the hiking trails. The setting is beautiful, and best experienced at sunrise, which means most people hike through the night. Some people take horses and most people organized guided tours.

Ho Chi Minh City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo?

Ho Chi Minh City is an unbeatable place for shopping. However, Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Ho Chi Minh City. The city is filled with a mix of modern shopping centers and local shops selling traditional items. You'll find international brands as well as uniquely Vietnamese products. The city also has some of the best boutique shopping opportunities in Southeast Asia.

Mount Bromo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo More Beautiful?

Mount Bromo is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Ho Chi Minh City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Mount Bromo because of it's amazing beauty. The setting and landscapes are spectacular, particularly at sunrise when most visitors make the trip.

Ho Chi Minh City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo Better for Families?

Ho Chi Minh City is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Mount Bromo is not as popular, but is still a nice volcano for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Ho Chi Minh City is a very family-friendly destination. Kids may feel overwhelmed at first, but they're sure to fall in love with the energy and kid-friendly activities in this city. There are traditional water puppet shows, kid-friendly restaurants, and fun parks. There's also the Suoi Tien Theme Park, smaller water parks, zoos, and art museums to explore.

Mount Bromo is a family-friendly place to visit. It really depends on the age of your kids and their personality and adaptability as to whether this is a good trip for them. Many of the tours start in the middle of the night so you can see the spectacular sunrise. The trip can be a bit uncomfortable, but everyone is guaranteed an adventure!

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo Better for Couples?

Both Ho Chi Minh City and Mount Bromo are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Ho Chi Minh City is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. If you're looking for a vibrant cultural scene with excellent restaurants, great parks, and countless day trips, this is the ultimate couple's getaway.

Mount Bromo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic sunrises and stunning views make this a wonderful destination for couples. The surroundings are surreal and you will long remember the experience.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ho Chi Minh City is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mount Bromo is not as popular, but is still a nice volcano for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Ho Chi Minh City. It's well established on the Southeast Asian backpacker's circuit and you'll find no shortage of hostels in town. You'll find a good number of backpackers in District 1 of the city, near Ben Thanh Market. Many backpackers also arrange trips to the Mekong Delta or elsewhere in Thailand while they're here.

Mount Bromo is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Some backpackers choose to go without a guided tour, and this will let you save money. Cemoro Lawang is the closest town to the volcano.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo Better for Students?

Ho Chi Minh City is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Mount Bromo is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Ho Chi Minh City. Study abroad students appreciate the city's energy and plethora of activities. It also makes a good base for trips to other parts of Southeast Asia.

Mount Bromo is not popular with students.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ho Chi Minh City and Mount Bromo both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ho Chi Minh City. There are public buses around town but motorbike taxis and regular taxis are likely your best bet for getting around.

Public transit is generally limited in Mount Bromo. Most people visit with a guided tour because this saves a lot of time and allows you to see the sunrise.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo a more walkable city?

Ho Chi Minh City and Mount Bromo are notable when it comes to walkability.

Ho Chi Minh City is a somewhat walkable city. In certain neighborhoods it's fairly walkable, but you may have to dodge a motorbike here or there.

Mount Bromo is somewhat walkable. The walk takes you across the sand and up some stairs. It's usually less than an hour.

For even more information, also check out Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting? and Is Mount Bromo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mount Bromo or Ho Chi Minh City?

How long in Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ho Chi Minh City than Mount Bromo because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Ho Chi Minh City, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mount Bromo.

Families should spend more time in Ho Chi Minh City than Mount Bromo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ho Chi Minh City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Ho Chi Minh City than Mount Bromo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ho Chi Minh City that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ho Chi Minh City than Mount Bromo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ho Chi Minh City.

One day in Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo?

Ho Chi Minh City is a busy city where you can fill many days. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find around the scenic destination of Mount Bromo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This volcano offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo?

Ho Chi Minh City is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find around the breathtaking volcano of Mount Bromo. If you have a weekend, this volcano makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo?

The busy city of Ho Chi Minh City offers theater and nightlife. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Mount Bromo is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Ho Chi Minh City or Mount Bromo?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Mount Bromo is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Vietnam, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ho Chi Minh City and Mount Bromo, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. And not only is Mount Bromo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Bromo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Bromo 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 Mount Bromo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive? and Is Mount Bromo Expensive?.