Should you visit Dubai or Ho Chi Minh City?
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 Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $198, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $71. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $272 in Dubai For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $86 in Ho Chi Minh City For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about $45 per day in Dubai for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The average traveler spends about $12 per day in Ho Chi Minh City for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Dubai $45
Ho Chi Minh City $12
Typical Food prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Romantic Dhow Creek Dinner Cruise With Live Shows and International Buffet:
$17
-
Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner:
$18
-
Dubai Deira Cruise with International Buffet Dinner with Live Shows:
$19
-
Cruising with Dinner and Live Shows at Dubai Creek:
$20
-
Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner:
$20
-
Dhow Dinner Cruise at Dubai Creek (Without Transfers):
$20
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Sail along the Dubai Creek Dhow cruise with a delectable Dinner from AED 60:
$21
-
Sightseeing Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner:
$21
-
Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai:
$22
-
Dhow Cruise Dinner on Dubai Creek:
$22
-
Evening Dhow Dinner Cruise in Dubai:
$22
-
Dubai Creek 2-Hour Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner:
$23
Typical Food prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
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:
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Ho Chi Minh Private Half Day Street Food Tour with Local Students:
$18
-
SaiGon Street Food Tour By Scooter With Student:
$22
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Walking Food Tour With Local Student:
$26
-
Private Street Food Tour on Motorbikes:
$28
-
Private Half-Day Ho Chi Minh Food Tour with Local Students:
$28
-
Saigon Food Tour by Motorbike with Local Students:
$30
-
Walking market food tour by night in Ho Chi Minh city - private groups:
$32
-
Small Floating Market & Mekong Delta Tour with Kayak, Boat, Bike, Cooking Class:
$35
-
Private Street Food Tour by Scooter in Ho Chi Minh City:
$35
-
Street food Tours:
$35
-
Half-Day Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour By Motorbike:
$36
-
Private Walking Saigon Food Tour with Ao Dai Girl by Night:
$38
Local Transportation
Dubai's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $10 per person, per day on transportation in Dubai.
Ho Chi Minh City's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $13 per person, per day on transportation in Ho Chi Minh City.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
-
Taxi Ride
$12
-
Airport Taxi
$12
-
Sea Taxi
$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Versace VIP Spa Journey- chauffeur transfer, gourmet food and champagne:
$1,524
-
VIP Desert Safari Package with Stretch Limousine Transfers:
$999
-
BollyWood Parks Family Package With Private Transfer for 1 to 6 people:
$924
-
Ferrari World Trip with Private Transfer:
$868
-
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi with Private Transfer From Dubai for 1 to 6 people:
$808
-
Dubai Wild Wadi Water Park With Private Transfers for 1 to 6 people:
$685
-
2 Hours Buggy Can Am X3 with Transfers for 2 Persons:
$654
-
IMG Theme Park Dubai with 2 way Private Transfer for 1 to 5 people:
$654
-
Private Night Vintage Land Rover Desert Safari & Astronomy with Dubai transfers:
$622
-
Exclusive Yacht with Private Transfer:
$597
-
Overnight Camping in Ras Al Khaimah- transfer from Dubai/Sharjah/Ajman:
$542
-
La Perle by Dragone Dubai VIP with Transfers:
$480
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:
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Short Taxi Ride
$1.52
-
Taxi From Airport
$8.71
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)
$1.74
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer: From Ho Chi Minh city - Siemreap (Cambodia) - MPV 7 seat:
$595
-
Private Car Transfers From Ho Chi Minh To Siem Reap, Cambodia:
$499
-
Private transfer: From Ho Chi Minh city - Phnompenh (Cambodia) - MPV 7 seat:
$311
-
Private Car Transfers From Ho Chi Minh To Phnom penh, Cambodia:
$259
-
Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang - Private Transfer:
$250
-
Private Car Transfers From Ho Chi Minh City To Dalat:
$189
-
Private Transfer From Ho Chi Minh To Mui Ne (16 seater car):
$168
-
Transfer Tan Son Nhat Airport to Mui Ne (Beach resort):
$150
-
My Tho Transfer from Ho Chi Minh city:
$149
-
One-way Private Transfer from Saigon Airport or Center to Mui Ne:
$136
-
One way: Sai Gon - Mui Ne Private Transfer ( 7 Seats Car):
$136
-
Private Transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Can Tho (VCA) Airport:
$128
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City and Dubai 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Dubai can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Ho Chi Minh City can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $18 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
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"Glimps of History"-4 Hrs Dubai city tour:
$163
-
04 Days Best of Dubai With Desert Safari, Dhow Cruise and City Tour:
$305
-
1 Day 2 Tours Combo:
$76
-
1 Hour Jet Ski Tour of Dubai Atlantis:
$153
-
1 Hour Private 800cc Buggy Tour Good for 2 persons:
$220
-
1 Hour Private Jet Ski Tour in Dubai:
$195
-
1 hour Mina Seyahi Jetski Tour:
$160
-
1.5-Hours Dubai Historic Old Town Walking Tour: Covid-19 safe & PRIVATE tour:
$60
-
1001 Adventure Tour:
$71
-
12 Hours Dubai Stopover Tour:
$350
-
2 Days TRIO-Dubai City Tour with Desert Safari and Full Day Abu Dhabi City Tour.:
$136
-
2 Hour Adventure Experience - TEPfactor Dubai:
$55
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:
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
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"The Intimate Saigon" by day (city half-day tour):
$50
-
"The Intimate Saigon" by night (food tasting tour):
$59
-
1 Day Fishing Adventure Private Tour:
$125
-
1 Day Saigon Culinary Private Tour:
$147
-
1-day Cai Rang Floating Market With Sweet Chocolate Taste Private Tour:
$187
-
1-day Ho Chi Minh city and Cu Chi tunnels group tour:
$45
-
1-day My Tho boat trip in Mekong Delta group tour from Ho Chi Minh:
$33
-
10 days 9 nights classic Vietnam tour from South to North:
$545
-
10-day Small-Group Vietnam Highlight Tour:
$1,374
-
2 Days - HCM City Tour & Floating Market:
$229
-
2 Days Private Non-Touristic Local Homestay in Tra On: Mekong Delta:
$195
-
2 Days and 1 Night Private Mekong Delta Tour from Saigon:
$202
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Dubai, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $18.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Ho Chi Minh City, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $6.96.
Typical Alcohol prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Ho Chi Minh City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Ho Chi Minh City.
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