Vietnam

How Much Does Laundry Cost in Ho Chi Minh City? A Practical Guide

By Ria Flores··5 min read
Street-level laundry shop in Ho Chi Minh City with clothing racks outside

Laundry in Ho Chi Minh City is cheap, fast, and everywhere — once you know what to look for. The city's giặt sấy culture means you're never more than a few blocks from a shop that will wash, dry, and fold your clothes the same day, often for less than a dollar per kilogram.

But prices vary more than you'd expect. A shop in Bùi Viện walking street might charge three times what a shop two streets away charges. Knowing the system — how shops price, what to watch out for, and which neighbourhoods give you the best value — saves you money every single visit.

This guide covers current pricing across districts, what giặt sấy actually includes, and how to find a reliable shop near you.

Comparing across Vietnam? Read our guide to how Vietnam's laundry scene changed between 2017 and 2025.

How Laundry Pricing Works in Saigon

Almost all shops in Ho Chi Minh City price by weight (per kilogram), not per item or per load. You hand over your bag, they weigh it, and you get a ticket. This is the giặt theo cân (wash by kilo) model — fast, predictable, and honest at most shops.

A basic wash-and-dry service is called giặt sấy. Adding folding gives you giặt sấy gấp. Ironing is ủi — usually charged per piece, not per kilo. Dry cleaning (giặt khô) is priced per garment and is significantly more expensive.

ServiceLow (₫)High (₫)Notes
Wash + dry (per kg)15,00030,000Most common pricing unit
Wash + dry + fold (per kg)20,00040,000Full giặt sấy gấp service
Ironing only (per piece)5,00010,000Shirts, pants, dress clothes
Dry cleaning (per piece)50,000120,000Suits, jackets, delicates
Shoe cleaning (pair)40,000100,000Sneaker wash + dry
Pickup + delivery fee030,000Free within 2–3 km at many shops

Prices as of June 2026. Rates vary by district and shop quality.

Laundry Prices by District

Where you live in HCMC makes a bigger difference to your laundry bill than the service itself. Here's a practical breakdown by district.

District 1 (Quận 1)

Central tourist & expat hub. High demand means more shops.

Typical rate: 25,000–40,000 ₫/kg

Look for shops one street back from Bùi Viện and Phạm Ngũ Lão — tourist-area surcharges are real.

District 3 (Quận 3)

Residential district with cafés and apartments.

Typical rate: 20,000–30,000 ₫/kg

Street-front giặt sấy shops here tend to offer better value than hotel-arranged laundry.

Bình Thạnh (Bình Thạnh)

Dense residential area, lots of university students.

Typical rate: 15,000–25,000 ₫/kg

Student-heavy areas near Ung Văn Khiêm street have competitive pricing.

District 7 / Phú Mỹ Hưng

Expat enclave, higher-end shops with English signage.

Typical rate: 25,000–45,000 ₫/kg

Prices are higher but quality control is generally more consistent.

Gò Vấp & Tân Bình

Practical working-class neighbourhoods near the airport.

Typical rate: 15,000–22,000 ₫/kg

Best value in the city. Shops near Nguyễn Kiệm street offer reliable service.

Practical Tips for Using Laundry Shops in HCMC

Always ask for a receipt. Most shops will give you a handwritten ticket with the number of kilos and total price. Keep it — it's your claim ticket when you come back to collect.

Separate your delicates before you hand over the bag. Machine-wash safe clothing goes in the main pile. Anything silk, embroidered, or that you'd be upset to see damaged should be separated and pointed out to the shop. Many shops have separate hand-wash pricing for delicate items.

Negotiate delivery for regular orders. If you're in one neighbourhood and plan to use the same shop regularly, ask for free delivery. Many shops will agree for customers who order more than 3 kg at a time.

Check turnaround before you drop off. Standard is next-day. Many shops offer same-day for items dropped before noon. Express same-day for an extra 10,000–20,000 ₫ is also common. Ask before assuming.

Avoid the laundry desks inside hostels. Hostel-arranged laundry in the backpacker district is typically 30–60% more expensive than walking to the nearest street-front giặt sấy shop yourself.

Find Laundry Shops in Ho Chi Minh City

Browse verified listings across all HCMC districts — with hours, pricing, and pickup delivery info where available.

Browse HCMC laundry shops →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does laundry cost per kilo in Ho Chi Minh City?

Most giặt sấy shops in Ho Chi Minh City charge between 15,000 and 35,000 VND per kilogram for wash and dry. Shops in tourist areas like District 1 tend to charge more (25,000–40,000 ₫/kg), while residential neighbourhoods like Gò Vấp or Bình Thạnh are typically cheaper at 15,000–25,000 ₫/kg.

What does "giặt sấy" mean?

"Giặt sấy" literally means wash and dry — it is the most common full-service laundry offering in Vietnam. Most shops include folding in this service. If you also want ironing (ủi), ask for "giặt sấy ủi" and expect to pay slightly more.

Do laundry shops in HCMC offer pickup and delivery?

Yes, many shops in Ho Chi Minh City offer free pickup and delivery within 2–3 kilometres. Some larger shops have apps or work through Grab or Lalamove. Outside the free zone, delivery fees typically range from 15,000 to 30,000 VND depending on distance.

How long does laundry take at a giặt sấy shop in Saigon?

Standard turnaround is same-day or next-day for items dropped off before noon. Many shops in HCMC offer express same-day service for a small surcharge of 10,000–20,000 VND. Always ask about turnaround time when you drop off.

Is it safe to use laundry shops in Ho Chi Minh City as a tourist?

Yes, street-front giặt sấy shops are widely used by locals and tourists alike and are generally trustworthy. Get a receipt when you drop off and check that delicate items (suits, silk, embroidered pieces) are labelled separately. Most shops will not be responsible for damage to items they were not told were delicate.

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