A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ho Chi Minh City vs. Prague for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Prague?

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 Prague can help you decide which place is right for you.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is a diverse, cultural, and chaotic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums. See Ho Chi Minh City travel costs.

Prague

Prague is a festive, fun-filled, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come to Prague because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Prague travel costs.

Ho Chi Minh City and Prague: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Prague than Ho Chi Minh City. While Ho Chi Minh City is larger than Prague, Prague has more sights and attractions for tourists. Prague is more popular for its music, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Ho Chi Minh City is known for its theatre productions, food, shopping, and big city activities. Prague is more touristy than Ho Chi Minh City and is popular for its world-famous old town, local beer, wild nightlife, historic landmarks, and the Charles Bridge. It is also home to The Prague Castle. Ho Chi Minh City is popular for its motorbike-filled streets, bustling markets, world-class cuisine, and diverse shopping opportunities.

How is Ho Chi Minh City different from Prague?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Prague 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 Prague?

You'll find a number of first-rate museums and attractions in both Prague and Ho Chi Minh City.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Ho Chi Minh City has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Prague that are not to be missed. Most of the city's historic sights are found in the Old Town. Famous landmarks include the Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle, and the National Museum. Throughout the Old Town you'll see the spires of the many churches which define the city's skyline. The Prague Castle is not to be missed as it's the largest castle complex in the world.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Prague Better for Theater?

Ho Chi Minh City is a good destination for its theatre productions. However, Prague is not a theatre destination.

Ho Chi Minh City offers a number of shows and performances. 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.

Prague is not a theatre destination.

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

Ho Chi Minh City is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Prague is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Ho Chi Minh City, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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).

Prague may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The meals are hearty and filling. There's lots of stew and dumplings that make for a soothing meal on a cold winter day. Goulash is a favorite dish at most of the traditional restaurants around town.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Prague Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is first-rate in both Ho Chi Minh City and Prague.

People head to Ho Chi Minh City just to party. 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.

The nightlife in Prague is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has long been famous as a beer drinking capital, and although prices are higher than they once were, the fun is the same. The nightlife vibe is great any night of the week, but weekends tend to be the most active.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Prague Better for Music?

Prague is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Ho Chi Minh City is not a live music destination.

Prague has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city has a long history of classical music, but rock, pop, and almost any other genre is popular here as well. Many visitors specifically come just to experience the world class music scene.

Ho Chi Minh City is not a live music destination.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Prague Better for its Old Town?

Prague is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Ho Chi Minh City does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Prague is revered around the world. Based around Old Town Square, this city has one of the most impressive old towns in the world. It truly feels like something out of a fairytale. Most of the tourists spend the majority of their time exploring the old town, and after a full day of wandering, you can cozy up with a strudel and a drink in one of the many cafes.

Ho Chi Minh City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ho Chi Minh City or Prague?

Ho Chi Minh City is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Prague is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Ho Chi Minh City make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Prague. There are many brand name stores in New Town, particularly around Wenceslas Square. In Old Town, Czech porcelain and Bohemia Crystal are popular things to buy. You'll find tons of souvenir and trinket shops throughout the area.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Prague More Beautiful?

Prague 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 Prague because of it's amazing beauty. The city is filled with beautiful historic architecture and stunning landmarks. It's a truly historic and impressive city.

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

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Prague Better for Families?

Ho Chi Minh City is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Prague is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Ho Chi Minh City is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Prague. The city has a fun energy that appeals to adults and kids alike. Make sure you check out the Astronomical Clock and tour the famous Prague Castle. You'll also find the best playgrounds in town around Slavonic Island.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Prague Better for Couples?

Prague is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Ho Chi Minh City is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Prague has plenty to offer. Whether you're enjoy beautiful architecture, historical buildings, or a night out drinking, this city makes a great stop for a couple's vacation.

Ho Chi Minh City is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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

For backpackers, both Ho Chi Minh City and Prague are first-rate places to visit.

A large number of backpackers visit Ho Chi Minh City, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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.

Prague is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It has its share of fun hostels that often have a social vibe that can't beat. The city is also a fun and affordable place to explore.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Prague Better for Students?

Prague is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ho Chi Minh City is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Prague. If you're studying abroad and want a cultural city with a young and fun vibe, the this is among the best.

Ho Chi Minh City is a good city to visit for students. 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.

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

Prague is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Ho Chi Minh City is not a good destination for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Prague can get you around easily. Metro lines, trams, and buses will take you smoothly through old and new town.

Public transit is generally 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.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Prague a more walkable city?

Prague is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Ho Chi Minh City is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Prague is a very easy city to get around on foot. The tourist area through old town is easily explored on foot. Walking around town is the best way to soak up the atmosphere.

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

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

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

How long in Ho Chi Minh City or Prague?

Both Ho Chi Minh City and Prague have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Prague than in Ho Chi Minh City. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Ho Chi Minh City, and 2-7 days is enough time in Prague.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Prague than Ho Chi Minh City 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 Prague.

One day in Ho Chi Minh City or Prague?

Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find live music and shopping around the historical big city of Prague. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Ho Chi Minh City or Prague?

Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and museums around the cultural city of Prague. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Prague?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ho Chi Minh City. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Prague is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Ho Chi Minh City or Prague?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful big city of Ho Chi Minh City. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Prague is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It is common to spend one week here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Czech Republic, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Czech Republic.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ho Chi Minh City and Prague, we can see that Prague is more expensive. And not only is Ho Chi Minh City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia and Prague is in Europe, 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 Ho Chi Minh City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ho Chi Minh City 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 Prague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Prague than you might in Ho Chi Minh City.

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 Prague Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Prague?

Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Prague. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Prague, 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.