A Day in Vietnam: How I Spent usd32 for 1 Day in Ho Chi Minh City
Okay, so this is long overdue. In continuation of my epic Thai-Cam-Viet adventure in February a year ago, I would like to share to you guys how I survived Ho Chi Minh with USD32 in my pocket. How I split them for Ho Chi Minh tour, souvenirs, food, and bus to the airport going home. This does not include my USD10 pre-booked hostel.
So to start, me and my friend left Pnomh Penh around noon time and arrived at 8:00 pm of February 6. We had to transfer to another bus in one hot afternoon and cross over border in Bavet. Crossing the border is not easy. We had to pass to 2 different immigrations and wait for other tourists to hop on before leaving. Because of that, we reached Ho Chi Minh City a little late than scheduled by the bus company.
When we arrived at Ho Chi Minh, we immediately looked for a tour company that is still open and luckily found one for a whole day Mekong Delta tour which costs USD10. Right after finding a tour, we found a restaurant nearby the bus station along backpackers area and find our hostel, took a good night rest before the morning kicks in.
Good thing was, the tour company where we bought ticket has a hotel pick-up so we did not sweat going to the main road for pick-up. The bus picked us up on agreed time. It was efficient and the bus conductor also served as the tour guide for the group. He was funny and a good communicator too.
Mekong Delta Tour Package
1. Vinh Trang Temple and Pagoda
A beautiful collonial French architecture located in the south in Tien Giang Province.
2. Mekong Delta tour (My Tho – Ben Tre)
- Island Tour: Unicorn Island
- Lunch: Included in Tour fee
- Bee Farm and Coconut Candy workshop and Canal
- Tropical fruit and folk music
Places to See in Ho Chi Minh City for Free!

Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City

Notre Dame Cathedral
Expenses (USD32)
- Tour – USD10
- Food – USD9
- Souvenirs – USD12
- Bus to Airport – USD1
Not so bad, isn’t it?
Happy travel Budgetarians!😍