Discovering the lively gastronomy of Ho Chi Minh City, Swedish travelers Dan and Anna were pleasantly surprised to find that they could savor three meals for under 125,000 VND (approximately $5) each. They recorded their culinary journey for their YouTube audience, highlighting Vietnam’s affordable food landscape.

For breakfast, Anna chose a banh mi packed with Vietnamese sausage and a fried egg from a nearby street vendor. Dan opted for a nice bowl of hu tieu ga (chicken noodle soup) priced at 30,000 VND.

Anna found the banh mi to be a filling and budget-friendly morning meal, while Dan appreciated the rich broth and perfectly cooked chicken in his hu tieu. “Typically, I don’t eat breakfast, but this was truly satisfying,” he shared.

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Lunchtime saw Anna relishing goi cuon tai heo (fresh spring rolls with pig ears), getting three rolls at just 7,000 VND each. “They’re so beautifully made and refreshing, but the dipping sauce is what really enhances the dish,” she noted.

Meanwhile, Dan visited a street vendor on Ham Nghi Street in District 1, enjoying a dish of com tam (broken rice) with grilled pork, a fried egg, and pickled vegetables for 44,000 VND. Though it was a little pricier than at other stalls, he believed the quality justified the expense.

For dinner, the couple stopped at a local dining spot on Nguyen Khac Nhu Street. Anna selected nui xao bo (stir-fried macaroni with beef) for 35,000 VND, which came with complimentary iced tea. She described the macaroni as tender and flavorful, especially with a splash of soy sauce.

Dan opted for another banh mi, this time topped with shredded chicken and a fried egg, also costing 30,000 VND.

At the day’s end, Dan had spent 109,000 VND on three meals: hu tieu (30,000 VND), com tam (44,000 VND), and banh mi (30,000 VND), along with a 5,000 VND iced tea. “It’s amazing to enjoy three unique dishes for less than $5,” he commented, recalling a day where he managed to spend only 75,000 VND despite the city’s reputation for being one of Vietnam’s pricier spots.

Anna’s expenses were slightly lower at 94,000 VND, including her meals: banh mi (20,000 VND), goi cuon (21,000 VND), nui xao bo (35,000 VND), plus desserts—fried buns and a donut—totaling 18,000 VND.

The couple was thrilled with the diversity and value of Ho Chi Minh City’s food scene, making it a prime location for budget-conscious food enthusiasts.