Ho Chi Minh City (still often called Saigon locally) is one of the cheapest major cities in Southeast Asia to travel comfortably in, with a full day of guesthouse, food, and transport running $16–25 for most budget travelers.
District 1 vs. District 3
District 1 puts you near the main sights and the backpacker strip around Bui Vien, but guesthouses there charge a premium for the location. District 3, a short Grab ride away, is quieter, has better local food prices, and is still an easy walk or bike ride to the center.
Crossing the street is a skill, not a joke
The scooter traffic is genuinely intense and it's the one place on this list where "moderate difficulty" isn't about cost — it's about the learning curve of walking confidently at a steady pace through moving traffic rather than stopping and starting, which is what actually causes accidents.
Where the food budget goes furthest
A bowl of pho or a bánh mì from a street vendor costs $1–2, and a full com tam (broken rice) plate with grilled pork runs about $2–3. Sit where the plastic stools are full of locals rather than where there's an English menu taped to the window.
Takeaway: Base in District 1 or 3 depending on your tolerance for backpacker-strip noise, and practice crossing streets at a slow, steady pace rather than darting.