Ho Chi Minh City Ultra-Budget Guide For Pagodas Pocket Change

#asiabudgetchallenge

Here’s a high-impact, budget-savvy travel blog post for experiencing Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in 3 days under $80 – packed with street food gems, history, and local secrets!

🌆 SAIGON ON $80: Street Food, Chaos & Colonial Charm in 3 Days
How to conquer Ho Chi Minh City with nothing but pocket change and a hungry heart

Vibe Check:
A roaring motorbike orchestra, chili-scented alleyways, and history pouring from bullet-pocked walls. Saigon doesn’t whisper – it shouts. And you’ll shout back, chopsticks in hand, with $80 in your pocket.

💸 Budget Breakdown (Total: $79.50)
Category Cost (USD) Survival Hacks
Accommodation $16.50 3 nights in a District 1 dorm (e.g., Vietnam Inn Saigon)
Food $30 Street feasts only – no restaurants!
Attractions $20 Cu Chi Tunnels + War Museum + Pagodas
Transport $5 Bus/walking only (no taxis!)
Coffee/Water $8 Iced coffee fuel + big water bottles
🗓️ The Itinerary
Day 1: Colonial Heart & War Wounds

8 AM: Free DIY walk past Notre Dame Cathedral (scaffolded, but iconic), Central Post Office (send a $0.30 postcard!), and Independence Palace ($2.50 entry).

Lunch: $1.50 – Crunchy bánh mì at Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa (pâté heaven!).

1 PM: War Remnants Museum ($2.50) – Gut-punching but essential.

4 PM: Chill at Tao Dan Park (free) – watch locals play Jianzi.

Dinner: $2 – Cơm tấm (broken rice) at a street cart near Bùi Viện.

Sunset: Bitexco Tower hack – Skip the $8 Sky Deck. Sip a $3 coffee at Eon Heli Bar for the same view!

Day 2: Tunnels & Market Mayhem

7 AM: Cu Chi Tunnels group tour ($6 via hostel) – Crawl through history.

Lunch: $1.50 – Bún chả (grilled pork noodles) at Ben Thanh Market (haggle for souvenirs!).

3 PM: Jade Emperor Pagoda (free) – Incense coils and turtle ponds.

5 PM: Saigon River walk (free) – Watch cargo ships glide by.

Dinner: $2 – Bánh xèo (crispy pancake) in gritty District 4.

Day 3: Chinatown & Coffee Culture

8 AM: Cholon (Chinatown) – Explore Bình Tây Market’s dried-seafood chaos (free).

10 AM: Thiên Hậu Pagoda (free) – Red lanterns and ceramic dragons.

Lunch: $1 – Hủ tiếu noodle soup at a market stall.

2 PM: Vietnamese Coffee Workshop ($4) – Learn drip-brew magic.

4 PM: Café Apartments (free) – Staircase photos without buying $5 coffee.

Dinner: $3 – Street seafood at Vạn Kiếp Night Market (District 4).

🚫 What We Skipped (To Stay Under $80)
Rooftop cocktails ($10+)

Mekong Delta tour ($15+)

Fancy restaurants (one meal = 2 days’ budget!)

📸 Free Photo Ops:
Ho Thi Ky Flower Market at dawn (neon blooms!).

Book Street (Đường Sách) – Quirky alley of book stalls.

Pink Church (Tan Dinh Church) – Bubblegum-hued colonial gem.

🍜 5 Must-Eat Street Foods Under $2:
Bánh tráng trộn ($0.75) – Viral "paper salad" with quail eggs.

Bột chiên ($1.20) – Crispy fried rice cakes with radish.

Chè ($0.80) – Rainbow sweet soup in a cup.

Gỏi cuốn ($1/roll) – Fresh shrimp-pork spring rolls.

Cà phê sữa đá ($0.60) – Iced coffee with condensed milk.