The Captivating Capitals: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Rank Among Asia’s Top 10 Affordable Urban Destinations

According to the magazine, trips to Asia can be deceptively expensive at first glance, with flight prices sometimes doubling those to Europe. However, as with any destination, there are always ways to find more affordable options if you know where to look.

A glimpse of Hanoi. Photo: Travel+Leisure

Interestingly, flights to Asia are now 9% cheaper than they were this time last year. For even greater savings, Kayla Inserra DeLoache, a consumer travel trends expert at Kayak, suggests traveling during the off-peak season. Specifically, she recommends planning your trip for October or November, when flight prices can be up to 12% lower than during the peak travel season from May to July.

Vietnam is one of only two countries that appear twice on this list, which is no surprise to those familiar with the allure of Asian destinations.

Ethan Crowley, a trip planner at Kayak’s Asia Desk, notes that Ho Chi Minh City offers exceptional value. With an average total cost of just US$1,452, it’s a bargain. According to their flight schedule, you can book direct flights from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City for as little as US$660 round trip.

Bui Vien Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, known as the ‘Western Street’ due to its popularity among foreign travelers. Photo: thanhnien.vn

Additionally, Crowley points out that this is one of the few direct nonstop flight options available between Southeast Asia and North America.

Aside from affordable flights, Crowley highlights that Ho Chi Minh City also offers reasonable prices for food and lodging. In fact, he believes that Vietnam could be the most affordable country for travelers in all of Southeast Asia.

On the other hand, Hanoi presents a slightly higher average total cost of US$1,546. Nevertheless, visitors to Vietnam can still benefit from inexpensive yet delicious food, excellent value hotels, and a well-developed transport system.

Accommodation in Vietnam, ranging from budget options to luxury, is significantly more affordable than in neighboring countries.

For those seeking a more premium experience, business-class domestic flights in Vietnam offer exceptional value. These flights can enhance your journey, especially when navigating the country’s busy airports. Even economy flights are considerably cheaper than similar routes in the US.

The list of the top 10 destinations was completed by Taipei, Taiwan (China); Jakarta, Indonesia; New Delhi, India; Bangkok, Thailand; Manila, the Philippines; Tokyo, Japan; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Osaka, Japan.

Previously, Hanoi was recognized as the second most affordable travel destination globally for 2023 by the British website Wethrift.

With incredibly low costs for public transport, meals, drinks, and accommodation, it’s no wonder that Hanoi was ranked so highly. Public transport can cost as little as £0.23 (US$0.29), a meal typically costs around £1.71, and the average price of a drink is £0.83. A night’s stay for two people on weekends is only £32.42, and attraction tickets are very reasonably priced at £45.

Vietnam’s presence on the list twice is no surprise to those familiar with Asian travel destinations. Photo: Lonely Planet

Hanoi currently offers 61 direct flight options, making it easily accessible from various parts of the world.

Tripadvisor, the renowned online travel platform, has also bestowed upon Hanoi the honor of being one of the Best Food Destinations in the World for 2024.

Hanoi’s tourism sector is thriving, with an expected 14.05 million visitors in the first half of this year, marking a 13.7% increase compared to the same period in 2023, as reported by the municipal Department of Tourism.

Of these visitors, international arrivals are projected to reach 3.14 million, an impressive 52.6% year-on-year surge, while domestic tourists are estimated at 10.3 million, a 6% increase.

Ho Chi Minh City has also witnessed a significant increase in tourism, welcoming over 2.28 million foreign tourists in the first five months of the year, a 32% rise from the previous year. This growth is attributed to a series of festivals and tourism promotion events, as reported by the city’s Department of Tourism.

During the same period, nearly 14 million domestic tourists also chose Ho Chi Minh City as their destination.