MTC cost guide

Ho Chi Minh City trip cost: three hotels for two, January 2027

Ho Chi Minh City is a lively urban stop for cafés, food, markets and modern Vietnamese history. District 1 makes a convenient first base, with nearby District 3 adding a different neighbourhood pace. Choose the exact street carefully if quiet nights matter. These examples price a January week, with every hotel, meal, allowance and the tax reserve itemised.

Scope, dates and party

These are dated ground-cost illustrations for two adults sharing one room, six nights over seven days, 19–25 January 2027. They cover central District 1 with nearby former District 3. The Mekong Delta, Cu Chi, Vung Tau and a wider Vietnam route are excluded. Hotel prices are public room-table observations from 2 October 2026, not checkout quotes. Flights, visas and insurance are excluded. They are not bookable, not quotes, and not year-round ranges or calculator defaults.

What is specific to this budget

Three named hotels, each with two baskets. Each example is headed by its hotel's name; baskets A and B keep that hotel and change only the dinner. The hotels are listed by observed room price, which says nothing about quality, and the order does not rank full trip totals.
Every total shows, right beside it, a provisional hotel-tax reserve and the subtotal before it. The tax is mandatory, not optional, but the reserve is calculated from the listed rate — not an observed checkout total or a guaranteed maximum. Replace it with the actual charge, never pay it twice, and do not add an included service charge again.
Lunch and dinner come from one District 1 brasserie whose menu prints prices in thousands of dong and includes VAT and service, so nothing is added; dinner B is a starter, main and dessert.
Vietnam's temporary cut of eligible VAT to 8% ends on 31 December 2026, so these January 2027 examples follow the dated room tables' 10%. Orchids' 5% service is already included and not added again.
Deposits, holds and any unlisted hotel or restaurant charges are unknown, not zero. Breakfast, drinks, transport and activities are MTC gross planning estimates, clearly labelled, not supplier quotes.

Planning the days

District 1 makes a convenient first base, with former District 3 adding a different neighbourhood pace. Choose the exact street carefully if quiet nights matter, and do not assume equal walking times between hotels.

Season

The drier part of the year, broadly December to April, is an easy planning starting point, although heat remains relevant. During wetter months, use flexible afternoons and indoor alternatives rather than assuming uninterrupted outdoor days.

Arrival and practical notes

The airport reference is SGN. Confirm the operating arrival airport on the actual ticket before implementation or travel; this profile does not assume a future airport transition. Ask restaurants directly about ingredients and halal preparation. Mekong Delta and Cu Chi excursions are outside the cost model.

Dated cost examples

Six dated, itemised examples from 2027-01-19 to 2027-01-25: 6 nights and 7 days for two adults sharing one room, which is 14 person-days. Prices are as observed in October 2026, cover ground costs only, and are not multiplied out to other party sizes or trip lengths.

Dated planning illustration for two adults sharing one room or unit, 19–25 January 2027: seven days and six nights, flights excluded. Hotel prices are public room-table observations from 2 October 2026, not checkout quotes. Breakfast allowances, transport, drinks and activities are MTC gross estimates, not supplier quotes. Not bookable, not a quote and not an annual default.

All three hotels include breakfast (12 credited once). Every total carries a separately shown provisional 10% VAT reserve with the subtotal before it. Lunch and dinner use one District 1 brasserie's VAT- and service-inclusive menu. Ordered by price alone, not quality.

Acnos Hotel · Example A

Total for two adults

862.44 USD

Includes a PROVISIONAL hotel-tax reserve of 33.60 USD. Subtotal before the reserve: 828.84 USD. The tax is mandatory, not optional, but this is a calculated reserve — not an observed checkout total or a guaranteed maximum; replace it with the actual charges and never pay any part twice. All three hotels include breakfast for two (12 breakfasts credited once). Restaurant prices already include VAT and service. Qualified illustration, not a checkout quote: hotel prices are dated public room-table observations in whole US dollars; deposits and unlisted extras are unknown, not zero. Hotels are ordered by observed hotel price alone, not quality. At 18–20 Nguyen Thi Nghia near Ben Thanh, District 1 — not Acnos Grand. Breakfast for two is included, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and two outside breakfasts are budgeted.

61.60 USD per person per ground day

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Hotel, six nights — observed room price before the excluded tax
1 × 336 USD (stay) = 336 USD ≈ 336.00 USD
Source-backed: Acnos Hotel — Standard Double Room; breakfast included for two. 336.00 USD as displayed. A dated public room-table price observed 2 October 2026, shown in whole US dollars; not an exact checkout quote. Converted cents add no supplier precision; deposits, holds and unlisted local charges are unknown, not zero; future availability and discounts are not guaranteed.
Provisional hotel-tax reserve (mandatory tax, calculated)
1 × 33.6 USD (stay) = 33.6 USD ≈ 33.60 USD
Source-backed: Provisional Ho Chi Minh City hotel-tax reserve. The dated January 2027 room tables exclude 10% VAT, so a 10% reserve is applied to the displayed room price; Orchids' 5% service charge is already included and is not added again. Vietnam's temporary cut of eligible VAT from 10% to 8% runs to 31 December 2026; that does not establish 8% for this January 2027 stay, so the dated table's 10% is followed. The tax is mandatory, not optional; this is a calculated reserve, not a guaranteed maximum. Replace it with the actual charge; the tax base, deposits and unlisted charges are unverified, not zero.
Breakfast allowance per adult (not a hotel or café price)
2 × 100,000 VND (person-breakfast) = 200,000 VND ≈ 7.80 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): 100,000 VND per person-breakfast. The room includes breakfast for two, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and only two outside breakfasts are budgeted.
Lunch per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 290,000 VND (person-lunch) = 4,060,000 VND ≈ 158.43 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 305,000 VND (person-dinner) = 4,270,000 VND ≈ 166.62 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Additional drinks allowance per day for the two of you
7 × 100,000 VND (party-day) = 700,000 VND ≈ 27.31 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Optional budget for additional drinks only.
Airport car allowance, each way
2 × 400,000 VND (direction) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget for one car for two adults between Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN) and the hotel, each way; not a fare, and no transfer time is promised.
Local ride allowance for the two of you
12 × 150,000 VND (ride) = 1,800,000 VND ≈ 70.24 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget, not a quoted fare. La Vela in former District 3 needs more rides into central District 1 than the other two.
Optional city activities allowance per adult
2 × 400,000 VND (adult) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Discretionary; no named ticket is promised. Cu Chi, the Mekong Delta and Vung Tau are excluded.

Hotel: Acnos Hotel — Standard Double Room; breakfast included for two. Cancellation and payment: Free cancellation before 16 January 2027; pay at the property.

Acnos Hotel · Example B

Total for two adults

971.70 USD

Includes a PROVISIONAL hotel-tax reserve of 33.60 USD. Subtotal before the reserve: 938.10 USD. The tax is mandatory, not optional, but this is a calculated reserve — not an observed checkout total or a guaranteed maximum; replace it with the actual charges and never pay any part twice. All three hotels include breakfast for two (12 breakfasts credited once). Restaurant prices already include VAT and service. Qualified illustration, not a checkout quote: hotel prices are dated public room-table observations in whole US dollars; deposits and unlisted extras are unknown, not zero. Hotels are ordered by observed hotel price alone, not quality. At 18–20 Nguyen Thi Nghia near Ben Thanh, District 1 — not Acnos Grand. Breakfast for two is included, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and two outside breakfasts are budgeted.

69.41 USD per person per ground day

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Hotel, six nights — observed room price before the excluded tax
1 × 336 USD (stay) = 336 USD ≈ 336.00 USD
Source-backed: Acnos Hotel — Standard Double Room; breakfast included for two. 336.00 USD as displayed. A dated public room-table price observed 2 October 2026, shown in whole US dollars; not an exact checkout quote. Converted cents add no supplier precision; deposits, holds and unlisted local charges are unknown, not zero; future availability and discounts are not guaranteed.
Provisional hotel-tax reserve (mandatory tax, calculated)
1 × 33.6 USD (stay) = 33.6 USD ≈ 33.60 USD
Source-backed: Provisional Ho Chi Minh City hotel-tax reserve. The dated January 2027 room tables exclude 10% VAT, so a 10% reserve is applied to the displayed room price; Orchids' 5% service charge is already included and is not added again. Vietnam's temporary cut of eligible VAT from 10% to 8% runs to 31 December 2026; that does not establish 8% for this January 2027 stay, so the dated table's 10% is followed. The tax is mandatory, not optional; this is a calculated reserve, not a guaranteed maximum. Replace it with the actual charge; the tax base, deposits and unlisted charges are unverified, not zero.
Breakfast allowance per adult (not a hotel or café price)
2 × 100,000 VND (person-breakfast) = 200,000 VND ≈ 7.80 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): 100,000 VND per person-breakfast. The room includes breakfast for two, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and only two outside breakfasts are budgeted.
Lunch per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 290,000 VND (person-lunch) = 4,060,000 VND ≈ 158.43 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 505,000 VND (person-dinner) = 7,070,000 VND ≈ 275.88 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Additional drinks allowance per day for the two of you
7 × 100,000 VND (party-day) = 700,000 VND ≈ 27.31 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Optional budget for additional drinks only.
Airport car allowance, each way
2 × 400,000 VND (direction) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget for one car for two adults between Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN) and the hotel, each way; not a fare, and no transfer time is promised.
Local ride allowance for the two of you
12 × 150,000 VND (ride) = 1,800,000 VND ≈ 70.24 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget, not a quoted fare. La Vela in former District 3 needs more rides into central District 1 than the other two.
Optional city activities allowance per adult
2 × 400,000 VND (adult) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Discretionary; no named ticket is promised. Cu Chi, the Mekong Delta and Vung Tau are excluded.

Hotel: Acnos Hotel — Standard Double Room; breakfast included for two. Cancellation and payment: Free cancellation before 16 January 2027; pay at the property.

Orchids Saigon Hotel · Example A

Total for two adults

1,075.84 USD

Includes a PROVISIONAL hotel-tax reserve of 53.00 USD. Subtotal before the reserve: 1,022.84 USD. The tax is mandatory, not optional, but this is a calculated reserve — not an observed checkout total or a guaranteed maximum; replace it with the actual charges and never pay any part twice. All three hotels include breakfast for two (12 breakfasts credited once). Restaurant prices already include VAT and service. Qualified illustration, not a checkout quote: hotel prices are dated public room-table observations in whole US dollars; deposits and unlisted extras are unknown, not zero. Hotels are ordered by observed hotel price alone, not quality. At 192 Pasteur. The priced room has a NEIGHBOUR view, not an open skyline. Its 5% service charge is already in the price and is not added again. Breakfast for two is included, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and two outside breakfasts are budgeted.

76.85 USD per person per ground day

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Hotel, six nights — observed room price before the excluded tax
1 × 530 USD (stay) = 530 USD ≈ 530.00 USD
Source-backed: Orchids Saigon Hotel — Superior Double or Twin, neighbour view; breakfast included for two. 530.00 USD as displayed. A dated public room-table price observed 2 October 2026, shown in whole US dollars; not an exact checkout quote. Converted cents add no supplier precision; deposits, holds and unlisted local charges are unknown, not zero; future availability and discounts are not guaranteed.
Provisional hotel-tax reserve (mandatory tax, calculated)
1 × 53 USD (stay) = 53 USD ≈ 53.00 USD
Source-backed: Provisional Ho Chi Minh City hotel-tax reserve. The dated January 2027 room tables exclude 10% VAT, so a 10% reserve is applied to the displayed room price; Orchids' 5% service charge is already included and is not added again. Vietnam's temporary cut of eligible VAT from 10% to 8% runs to 31 December 2026; that does not establish 8% for this January 2027 stay, so the dated table's 10% is followed. The tax is mandatory, not optional; this is a calculated reserve, not a guaranteed maximum. Replace it with the actual charge; the tax base, deposits and unlisted charges are unverified, not zero.
Breakfast allowance per adult (not a hotel or café price)
2 × 100,000 VND (person-breakfast) = 200,000 VND ≈ 7.80 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): 100,000 VND per person-breakfast. The room includes breakfast for two, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and only two outside breakfasts are budgeted.
Lunch per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 290,000 VND (person-lunch) = 4,060,000 VND ≈ 158.43 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 305,000 VND (person-dinner) = 4,270,000 VND ≈ 166.62 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Additional drinks allowance per day for the two of you
7 × 100,000 VND (party-day) = 700,000 VND ≈ 27.31 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Optional budget for additional drinks only.
Airport car allowance, each way
2 × 400,000 VND (direction) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget for one car for two adults between Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN) and the hotel, each way; not a fare, and no transfer time is promised.
Local ride allowance for the two of you
12 × 150,000 VND (ride) = 1,800,000 VND ≈ 70.24 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget, not a quoted fare. La Vela in former District 3 needs more rides into central District 1 than the other two.
Optional city activities allowance per adult
2 × 400,000 VND (adult) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Discretionary; no named ticket is promised. Cu Chi, the Mekong Delta and Vung Tau are excluded.

Hotel: Orchids Saigon Hotel — Superior Double or Twin, neighbour view; breakfast included for two. Cancellation and payment: Free cancellation before 16 January 2027; pay the property before arrival.

Orchids Saigon Hotel · Example B

Total for two adults

1,185.10 USD

Includes a PROVISIONAL hotel-tax reserve of 53.00 USD. Subtotal before the reserve: 1,132.10 USD. The tax is mandatory, not optional, but this is a calculated reserve — not an observed checkout total or a guaranteed maximum; replace it with the actual charges and never pay any part twice. All three hotels include breakfast for two (12 breakfasts credited once). Restaurant prices already include VAT and service. Qualified illustration, not a checkout quote: hotel prices are dated public room-table observations in whole US dollars; deposits and unlisted extras are unknown, not zero. Hotels are ordered by observed hotel price alone, not quality. At 192 Pasteur. The priced room has a NEIGHBOUR view, not an open skyline. Its 5% service charge is already in the price and is not added again. Breakfast for two is included, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and two outside breakfasts are budgeted.

84.65 USD per person per ground day

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Hotel, six nights — observed room price before the excluded tax
1 × 530 USD (stay) = 530 USD ≈ 530.00 USD
Source-backed: Orchids Saigon Hotel — Superior Double or Twin, neighbour view; breakfast included for two. 530.00 USD as displayed. A dated public room-table price observed 2 October 2026, shown in whole US dollars; not an exact checkout quote. Converted cents add no supplier precision; deposits, holds and unlisted local charges are unknown, not zero; future availability and discounts are not guaranteed.
Provisional hotel-tax reserve (mandatory tax, calculated)
1 × 53 USD (stay) = 53 USD ≈ 53.00 USD
Source-backed: Provisional Ho Chi Minh City hotel-tax reserve. The dated January 2027 room tables exclude 10% VAT, so a 10% reserve is applied to the displayed room price; Orchids' 5% service charge is already included and is not added again. Vietnam's temporary cut of eligible VAT from 10% to 8% runs to 31 December 2026; that does not establish 8% for this January 2027 stay, so the dated table's 10% is followed. The tax is mandatory, not optional; this is a calculated reserve, not a guaranteed maximum. Replace it with the actual charge; the tax base, deposits and unlisted charges are unverified, not zero.
Breakfast allowance per adult (not a hotel or café price)
2 × 100,000 VND (person-breakfast) = 200,000 VND ≈ 7.80 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): 100,000 VND per person-breakfast. The room includes breakfast for two, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and only two outside breakfasts are budgeted.
Lunch per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 290,000 VND (person-lunch) = 4,060,000 VND ≈ 158.43 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 505,000 VND (person-dinner) = 7,070,000 VND ≈ 275.88 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Additional drinks allowance per day for the two of you
7 × 100,000 VND (party-day) = 700,000 VND ≈ 27.31 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Optional budget for additional drinks only.
Airport car allowance, each way
2 × 400,000 VND (direction) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget for one car for two adults between Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN) and the hotel, each way; not a fare, and no transfer time is promised.
Local ride allowance for the two of you
12 × 150,000 VND (ride) = 1,800,000 VND ≈ 70.24 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget, not a quoted fare. La Vela in former District 3 needs more rides into central District 1 than the other two.
Optional city activities allowance per adult
2 × 400,000 VND (adult) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Discretionary; no named ticket is promised. Cu Chi, the Mekong Delta and Vung Tau are excluded.

La Vela Saigon Hotel · Example A

Total for two adults

1,283.74 USD

Includes a PROVISIONAL hotel-tax reserve of 71.90 USD. Subtotal before the reserve: 1,211.84 USD. The tax is mandatory, not optional, but this is a calculated reserve — not an observed checkout total or a guaranteed maximum; replace it with the actual charges and never pay any part twice. All three hotels include breakfast for two (12 breakfasts credited once). Restaurant prices already include VAT and service. Qualified illustration, not a checkout quote: hotel prices are dated public room-table observations in whole US dollars; deposits and unlisted extras are unknown, not zero. Hotels are ordered by observed hotel price alone, not quality. At 280 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia in former District 3 — a CITY-VIEW room, not a District 1 riverside base. Breakfast for two is included, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and two outside breakfasts are budgeted.

91.70 USD per person per ground day

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Hotel, six nights — observed room price before the excluded tax
1 × 719 USD (stay) = 719 USD ≈ 719.00 USD
Source-backed: La Vela Saigon Hotel — Deluxe King Room, city view; breakfast included for two. 719.00 USD as displayed. A dated public room-table price observed 2 October 2026, shown in whole US dollars; not an exact checkout quote. Converted cents add no supplier precision; deposits, holds and unlisted local charges are unknown, not zero; future availability and discounts are not guaranteed.
Provisional hotel-tax reserve (mandatory tax, calculated)
1 × 71.9 USD (stay) = 71.9 USD ≈ 71.90 USD
Source-backed: Provisional Ho Chi Minh City hotel-tax reserve. The dated January 2027 room tables exclude 10% VAT, so a 10% reserve is applied to the displayed room price; Orchids' 5% service charge is already included and is not added again. Vietnam's temporary cut of eligible VAT from 10% to 8% runs to 31 December 2026; that does not establish 8% for this January 2027 stay, so the dated table's 10% is followed. The tax is mandatory, not optional; this is a calculated reserve, not a guaranteed maximum. Replace it with the actual charge; the tax base, deposits and unlisted charges are unverified, not zero.
Breakfast allowance per adult (not a hotel or café price)
2 × 100,000 VND (person-breakfast) = 200,000 VND ≈ 7.80 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): 100,000 VND per person-breakfast. The room includes breakfast for two, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and only two outside breakfasts are budgeted.
Lunch per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 290,000 VND (person-lunch) = 4,060,000 VND ≈ 158.43 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 305,000 VND (person-dinner) = 4,270,000 VND ≈ 166.62 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Additional drinks allowance per day for the two of you
7 × 100,000 VND (party-day) = 700,000 VND ≈ 27.31 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Optional budget for additional drinks only.
Airport car allowance, each way
2 × 400,000 VND (direction) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget for one car for two adults between Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN) and the hotel, each way; not a fare, and no transfer time is promised.
Local ride allowance for the two of you
12 × 150,000 VND (ride) = 1,800,000 VND ≈ 70.24 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget, not a quoted fare. La Vela in former District 3 needs more rides into central District 1 than the other two.
Optional city activities allowance per adult
2 × 400,000 VND (adult) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Discretionary; no named ticket is promised. Cu Chi, the Mekong Delta and Vung Tau are excluded.

Hotel: La Vela Saigon Hotel — Deluxe King Room, city view; breakfast included for two. Cancellation and payment: Non-refundable; pay the property before arrival. Date-change flexibility is not free cancellation.

La Vela Saigon Hotel · Example B

Total for two adults

1,393.00 USD

Includes a PROVISIONAL hotel-tax reserve of 71.90 USD. Subtotal before the reserve: 1,321.10 USD. The tax is mandatory, not optional, but this is a calculated reserve — not an observed checkout total or a guaranteed maximum; replace it with the actual charges and never pay any part twice. All three hotels include breakfast for two (12 breakfasts credited once). Restaurant prices already include VAT and service. Qualified illustration, not a checkout quote: hotel prices are dated public room-table observations in whole US dollars; deposits and unlisted extras are unknown, not zero. Hotels are ordered by observed hotel price alone, not quality. At 280 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia in former District 3 — a CITY-VIEW room, not a District 1 riverside base. Breakfast for two is included, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and two outside breakfasts are budgeted.

99.50 USD per person per ground day

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Hotel, six nights — observed room price before the excluded tax
1 × 719 USD (stay) = 719 USD ≈ 719.00 USD
Source-backed: La Vela Saigon Hotel — Deluxe King Room, city view; breakfast included for two. 719.00 USD as displayed. A dated public room-table price observed 2 October 2026, shown in whole US dollars; not an exact checkout quote. Converted cents add no supplier precision; deposits, holds and unlisted local charges are unknown, not zero; future availability and discounts are not guaranteed.
Provisional hotel-tax reserve (mandatory tax, calculated)
1 × 71.9 USD (stay) = 71.9 USD ≈ 71.90 USD
Source-backed: Provisional Ho Chi Minh City hotel-tax reserve. The dated January 2027 room tables exclude 10% VAT, so a 10% reserve is applied to the displayed room price; Orchids' 5% service charge is already included and is not added again. Vietnam's temporary cut of eligible VAT from 10% to 8% runs to 31 December 2026; that does not establish 8% for this January 2027 stay, so the dated table's 10% is followed. The tax is mandatory, not optional; this is a calculated reserve, not a guaranteed maximum. Replace it with the actual charge; the tax base, deposits and unlisted charges are unverified, not zero.
Breakfast allowance per adult (not a hotel or café price)
2 × 100,000 VND (person-breakfast) = 200,000 VND ≈ 7.80 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): 100,000 VND per person-breakfast. The room includes breakfast for two, so 12 breakfasts are credited once and only two outside breakfasts are budgeted.
Lunch per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 290,000 VND (person-lunch) = 4,060,000 VND ≈ 158.43 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Dinner per adult (menu benchmark)
14 × 505,000 VND (person-dinner) = 7,070,000 VND ≈ 275.88 USD
Source-backed: The Refinery, 74 Hai Ba Trung, central Saigon — official menu, undated, reviewed 2 October 2026. Menu figures are printed in THOUSANDS of VND (290 means 290,000 VND) and include VAT and service, so nothing is added. Lunch: chicken and avocado salad 290,000 VND per adult. Dinner A: slow-roasted boneless chicken leg with baby potatoes 305,000 VND; the potatoes are part of the dish and not charged twice. Dinner B adds cauliflower soup with walnuts 110,000 and dark chocolate mousse 90,000 = 505,000 VND — a starter, main and dessert, not a discounted set. A French-brasserie benchmark, not a city-wide average or a dining plan; weekday set lunches and weekend brunch are not used. Dietary and halal suitability were not established. Reconfirm January 2027 prices and any tax-driven menu changes.
Additional drinks allowance per day for the two of you
7 × 100,000 VND (party-day) = 700,000 VND ≈ 27.31 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Optional budget for additional drinks only.
Airport car allowance, each way
2 × 400,000 VND (direction) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget for one car for two adults between Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN) and the hotel, each way; not a fare, and no transfer time is promised.
Local ride allowance for the two of you
12 × 150,000 VND (ride) = 1,800,000 VND ≈ 70.24 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Planning budget, not a quoted fare. La Vela in former District 3 needs more rides into central District 1 than the other two.
Optional city activities allowance per adult
2 × 400,000 VND (adult) = 800,000 VND ≈ 31.22 USD
MTC gross estimate (not a supplier quote): Discretionary; no named ticket is promised. Cu Chi, the Mekong Delta and Vung Tau are excluded.

Not included: Flights, Visas and insurance, Shopping and regional trips

Reference exchange rates dated 2026-09-30: 1 USD = 25,627 VND. Your card rate at payment may differ.

Rate source as recorded in the research: State Bank of Vietnam reference, 30 September 2026: 25,627 VND per USD. Hotel prices were shown in USD. Not a bank or card rate

Practical notes

Limits of these examples

Covers central District 1 with nearby former District 3. The Mekong Delta, Cu Chi, Vung Tau and a wider Vietnam route are excluded. Prices are dated snapshots for 19–25 January 2027, not year-round ranges or calculator defaults; exact checkout totals were not verified.

Cost sources (9)

Ho Chi Minh City: hotel official site — checked 2026-10-02
Ho Chi Minh City: exchange-rate reference — checked 2026-10-02
Ho Chi Minh City: official restaurant menu — checked 2026-10-02
Ho Chi Minh City: hotel official site — checked 2026-10-02
Ho Chi Minh City: restaurant official contact page — checked 2026-10-02
Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnam government VAT-reduction notice — checked 2026-10-02
Public room table (Booking.com), observed 2 Oct 2026: Acnos Hotel — checked 2026-10-02
Public room table (Booking.com), observed 2 Oct 2026: Orchids Saigon Hotel — checked 2026-10-02
Public room table (Booking.com), observed 2 Oct 2026: La Vela Saigon Hotel — checked 2026-10-02

Compiled and totalled by My Travel Choices (MTC) from the dated sources credited with each example. Research estimates, not bookable offers. How we build these examples · Cite this guide

Next steps

Place guide: Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City: District 1 or former District 3?