A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Can Tho vs. Bandung for Food, Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Can Tho or Bandung?

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 Can Tho and Bandung can help you decide which place is right for you.

Can Tho

Can Tho is a fascinating, vibrant, and friendly city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Can Tho travel costs.

Bandung

Bandung is a scenic, laidback, and cultural city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Bandung travel costs.

Can Tho and Bandung: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Can Tho or Bandung?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Can Tho than Bandung. While Bandung is larger than Can Tho, Can Tho has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Can Tho is very popular for its big city activities, while Bandung attracts visitors for its food and hiking. Can Tho is famous for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. It is also well known for Cai Rang Floating Market. Bandung is famous for its fashion and shopping outlets, its local street food, and its cooler temperatures.

How is Can Tho different from Bandung?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bandung and Can Tho. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Can Tho or Bandung?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Can Tho and Bandung.

Many visitors head to Can Tho specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The main attraction nearby is Cai Rang Floating Market, but visitors also enjoy seeing Binh Thuy Ancient House, the Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory, Ong pagoda, and Nam Nha Pagoda.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bandung can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with museums and landmarks like the Sri Baduga Museum, which displays prehistoric artifacts. There's also the Asian African Conference Museum, a geology museum, and the Indonesia Postal Museum. The Mandala Wangsit Siliwangi Museum shows items relating to Indonesian wars and weapons while the Virajati Seskoad Museum has information on the Indonesian Army school.

Is the Food Better in Can Tho or Bandung? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bandung is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bandung has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city is a wonderful foodie destination with tons of street food and local options. The population is predominantly Sundanese, and the cuisine reflects that. The dishes involve a lot of raw vegetables and fresh ingredients. Make sure you try the batagor (fried tofu), soto Bandung (meat soup), and siomay (fish or chicken dumplings).

Dining out in Can Tho is an experience not to be missed. It's the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and there are many restaurants with rooftop views and lively atmospheres. The food is local and fresh. Grilled meats, noodle soup, and local produce are all popular. Many visitors come to Cantho specifically to experience the nearby floating markets. You really must sample the many dishes available at the markets, which are unique to the area and offer a whole new approach to street food.

Is Can Tho or Bandung Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Can Tho and Bandung.

If you're looking for night time activities Can Tho has a few options to choose from. The city is very beautiful at night with many colorful lights. There are a number of bars and places for tourists to hang out and socialize.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bandung. There's a large student population and a number of bars around town. The nightlife has a laidback vibe and many people enjoy hanging out with friends a local pub.

Is Can Tho or Bandung Better for Hiking?

Bandung is great for hiking. However, Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Bandung for the hiking trails. There are tons of great hiking trails just outside of town. Some are undiscovered while others are more popular. The trails will take you through forests, by volcanoes, and to dramatic craters.

Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Can Tho or Bandung?

If you're looking to go shopping, Can Tho and Bandung both offer plenty of world-class spots.

Known for shopping, Can Tho draws large crowds to its stores. The city is large with malls and a central market, but most visitors come specifically for the nearby floating markets. These unique markets are best visited by boat. Goods and food are sold out of vendor boats and popular food dishes include noodle soup and local fruits. Each boat has a tall bamboo stick displaying the items that it sells.

Bandung is a world class destination for shoppers. This is the ultimate shopping destination in Indonesia. Visitors come from throughout the country and abroad to buy designer goods and name brands, often at a discount price. You'll find both knock-offs and authentic merchandise, so be aware when you're purchasing something, which you might be buying.

Is Can Tho or Bandung Better for Families?

Can Tho is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bandung is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Can Tho is a very family-friendly destination. Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the floating markets and the beautiful Mekong Delta. Most visitors use this growing city as a base for exploring the area, which has a fascinating culture and interesting sights.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bandung. Kids will enjoy taking in a cultural show with traditional dance and music. Near the city you can also get outside and enjoy the stunning scenery at White Crater or Gunung Tangkuban Perahu. There's also the Bandung Geological Museum and Trans Studio amusement park.

Is Can Tho or Bandung Better for Couples?

Both Can Tho and Bandung are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Can Tho is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can take a romantic evening boat ride on the Mekong Delta. During the morning hours, the floating markets are one of Vietnam's most interesting destinations. You can sample local dishes and experience a completely different way of life.

Bandung is a very popular place to visit for couples. While most honeymooners make their way to a beautiful Indonesian beach, if you're looking for a break from the heat then this city makes a good stopover. The city is near many beautiful outdoor settings such as the White Crater. There are also many nice luxury resorts and hotels.

Is Can Tho or Bandung Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Can Tho and Bandung are great places to visit.

Many backpackers visit Can Tho. This is a large city with a number of hostels and many backpackers who pass through during their trip to the floating markets and through the Mekong Delta.

Bandung is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers love Indonesia and this city is no exception. There are plenty of hostels around town and many great activities to enjoy.

Is Can Tho or Bandung Better for Students?

Bandung is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Can Tho is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Bandung. Many of the expats in town are students, so you'll have a number of people to hang out with. This is also an affordable town for study abroad.

Can Tho is not popular with students.

Is Can Tho or Bandung Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bandung is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Can Tho is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Bandung offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are both public buses and a public van service (Angkutan Kota) that operates on set routes.

Public transit is generally limited in Can Tho. There are local buses, but many visitors come to this area as part of an organized tour because transportation can be a bit a tricky.

Is Can Tho or Bandung a more walkable city?

Bandung is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Bandung is a very walkable city. There are a number of walkable neighborhoods around town.

Can Tho is a somewhat walkable city. The city center is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Can Tho Worth Visiting? and Is Bandung Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bandung or Can Tho?

How long in Can Tho or Bandung?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Can Tho and Bandung. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bandung than in Can Tho. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Can Tho, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bandung.

Families should spend more time in Can Tho than Bandung. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Can Tho, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bandung than Can Tho. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bandung that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bandung than Can Tho if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bandung.

One day in Can Tho or Bandung?

In Can Tho, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Bandung, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Can Tho or Bandung?

In Can Tho, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Can Tho has to offer.

In Bandung, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bandung has to offer.

Five days in Can Tho or Bandung?

Can Tho is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Bandung is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Can Tho or Bandung?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Can Tho. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Can Tho. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bandung. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bandung. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Can Tho and Bandung, we can see that Can Tho is more expensive. And not only is Bandung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bandung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bandung 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 Can Tho would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Can Tho than you might in Bandung.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Can Tho Expensive? and Is Bandung Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Bandung?

Bandung has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho and Bandung, 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.