Asia, a vast land of innumerable charms, has been re-mapped by Travel+Leisure. This time, it's not the natural beauty or culture that's in the spotlight, but the price! The magazine has just released a treasure map for budget travelers, highlighting the cities in Asia that offer adventure without breaking the bank.
For its assessment, Travel+Leisure used search data for air tickets and accommodations on the online platform Kayak from January to June for travel planned for the second half of this year. The main parameter used was the average total cost, including the price of a round-trip economy class ticket and the cost of a night's stay in a standard double hotel room in various cities across Asia.
Not Phuket or Bangkok, but Ho Chi Minh City is the Winner
The results of Travel+Leisure's survey rank Ho Chi Minh City as the most cheapest destination in Southeast Asia and second in Asia. With an average total cost of $1,452, the city offers a complete package that includes round-trip airfare from the United States and one night of hotel accommodations.
Travel experts at Travel+Leisure point to the presence of direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and San Francisco as a key factor contributing to the lower cost of travel, with a round-trip ticket price of around $660.
Interestingly, this flight is also one of the few direct flights from Southeast Asia to North America.
In addition, Ho Chi Minh City is a budget traveler's paradise with affordable food and lodging. Guaranteed, your vacation won't make your wallet cry!
Read also: Hội An Outshines Bangkok and Bali, Secures Fourth Place Among World's Best Cities 2024
Not Just One, Viet Nam is Represented by Two Cities on This List
In addition to Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam's capital, Hanoi, also made the top 10 with an average travel cost of $1,546. In this city, you can eat delicious food at low prices, stay in comfortable hotels at affordable rates, and explore the city on public transportation without breaking the bank.
Accommodation options in this city range from budget to luxury five-star hotels, with prices far more competitive than in neighboring countries.
Studies show that domestic business class flights in Viet Nam offer significant added value, especially in terms of comfort at busy airports. In addition, economy class airfares are more competitive than similar routes in the United States.
Read also: Viet Nam’s Phú Quốc Ranks Second Among World’s Most Beautiful Islands, Beating Bali and Phuket
Here is the complete list of the 10 Most Affordable Asian Cities to Visit according to Travel+Leisure:
- Taipei City, Taiwan
- Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- New Delhi, India
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Manila, The Philippines
- Tokyo, Japan
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Hanoi, Viet Nam
- Osaka, Japan
You can read the details here.
