Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Ho Chi Minh City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
-
Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesHo Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Ho Chi Minh City $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $88. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Abu Dhabi and Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Ho Chi Minh City $48
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Ho Chi Minh City $96
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Ho Chi Minh City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Ho Chi Minh City $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
-
Car Rental$31
-
Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Warner Bro's with Private Transfers from Dubai: $279
- Abu Dhabi Intercity Transfers: $270
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Alain: $260
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Tickets with Private Transfers: $257
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $251
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury SUV: $228
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $222
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Dubai Miracle Garden and Global Village Transfers from Abu Dhabi: $200
- Abu Dhabi Combo Ticket: Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld with transfers: $195
- Dubai Full Day Trip from City Tour with Transfers: $190
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Short Taxi Ride$1.35
-
Taxi From Airport$7.70
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mui Ne Beach: Bus transfer from/to Saigon City: $8.00
- Ho Chi Minh: SGN Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $8.85
- Private transfer Tan Son Nhat airport - Hotels in Ho Chi Minh: $12
- Ho Chi Minh City airport transfer: $13
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrival Or Departure By Private Car Transfers: $13
- Private Car Transfer: Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang City: $14
- Ho Chi Minh Airport: Private Transfer: $14
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrival Or Departure Private Car Transfers: $15
- Private Transfer From Saigon Center To Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN): $16
- Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Ho Chi Minh hotels Arrival Transfer: $16
- Ho Chi Minh to Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN) Departure Transfer: $16
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cam Ranh HTL-APT (CXR): $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Abu Dhabi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayAbu Dhabi $78Ho Chi Minh City $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Red Dunes 4x4 Pick Drop Dinner Shows: $39
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Live Entertainment and BBQ Dinner: $44
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $50
- Experience Abu Dhabi Yas Island by Dhow Cruise at Sea with Dinner: $55
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Camel Ride and Live Shows: $56
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Camel Ride BBQ Dinner and Live Shows: $67
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Shows: $71
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner: $71
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Afternoon Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $80
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.12
-
Pizza$5.00
-
Sweet Rice$1.15
-
Pork Sandwich$0.58
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.53
-
Western Lunch (for Two)$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour with Local LGBT Student Guide: $1.89
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour & Hidden Local Gems Sightseeing: $9.86
- Mekong With Cai Be Less Tourist - Cooking Class: $14
- 1 hour Egg Coffee Cooking Class with Snack and Local Instructor: $14
- Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: $15
- Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking: $16
- HCM: Mekong Delta Boat, Khotcake cooking Coconut Village: $16
- Ho Chi Minh City Michelin & Street Food Tour by Motorbike or Car: $16
- Ho Chi Minh City Cyclo Ride with Lunch or Dinner Experience: $18
- Saigon Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By scooter with Student: $23
- Ho Chi Minh city Walking Chinatown / HCM city walking food tour: $25
- Pu Luong Cooking Class at Traditional Stilt House: $26
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Ho Chi Minh City $19
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $155
- 4 Hour Abu Dhabi City Tour - Private Tour: $265
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 8 Hours Al Ain City Tour without lunch: $103
- Abu Dhabi 2 seater Desert Buggy Experience: $200
- Abu Dhabi : Private Walking Tour with A guide (Private Tour): $46
- Abu Dhabi All in One Tour Tradition to Innovation: $199
- Abu Dhabi City Full Day Tour from Abu Dhabi: $157
- Abu Dhabi City Sightseeing Tour from Abu Dhabi Hotels: $100
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: $222
- Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai: $50
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Massage$5.39
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Highlights & Hidden Gems - Free Walking Tour: $0.63
- Hidden Bunker & Vietnam War - Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.63
- Ghosts & Legends of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City Night Walking Tour: $0.63
- Hidden Jungle War Experience – The Untold Side of Saigon: $1.81
- Ho Chi Minh City private walking tours with young local volunteers: $1.82
- Classic Mekong Delta My Tho Ben Tre Tour with Vinh Trang Pagoda: $1.89
- Ho Chi Minh City Private City Tour with Highlights Hidden Gems: $1.89
- Tan Lap Floating Village Authentic Mekong Delta Nature Tour: $1.89
- Private Long Tan Battlefield, Nui Dat Base and Vung Tau Day Tour: $1.89
- Vung Tau Beach and Coastal Landmarks Full Day Tour With Students: $1.89
- Ho Chi Minh Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.55
- Essential Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: All Must-see: $5.00
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Ho Chi Minh City $7.69
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Beer$0.38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Ho Chi Minh City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ho Chi Minh City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ho Chi Minh City and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Ho Chi Minh City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Ho Chi Minh City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.