A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Can Tho vs. Harbin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Can Tho or Harbin?

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 Harbin can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Can Tho or Harbin?

Can Tho

Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.

Harbin

Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.

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 2-Week Tours in China, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China.


Which place is cheaper, Harbin or Can Tho?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Can Tho is $66, while the average daily cost in Harbin is $66. 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 Can Tho and Harbin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Can Tho $26
    Harbin $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Can Tho $52
    Harbin $42
Compare Hotels in Can Tho and Harbin

Looking for a hotel in Can Tho or Harbin? 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.

Hotels in Can Tho


Hotels in Harbin


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: Can Tho Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Can Tho $12
    Harbin $1.52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho

Also for Can Tho, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $35
  • Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport - Can Tho City Center: $35
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $123
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $51
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho (VCA) Airport to Can Tho City: $135
  • PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT <=> CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
  • From 3-Day Nam Du Archipelago Tour with Transfers: $278
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho Airport to Hotel: $30
  • Can Tho To Ho Chi Minh Private Car Transfer: $75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin

Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Harbin Volga Manor Private Transfer Service with Entry Tickets: $300
  • Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
  • Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $198
  • Harbin Ice Festival Tickets and Transfer Service : $148
  • 4 Hour Private Transfer to Sun Island Snow Sculptures: $100
  • Private Departure Transfer to Harbin North Railway Station from Harbin City: $100
  • Harbin Catholic Church Car Transfer Service: $80
  • Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
  • Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
  • Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer, Pick up.: $59
  • Harbin Airport (HRB) : Private Arrival Transfer with Meet & Greet Service: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Can Tho or Harbin?

Prices for flights to both Harbin and Can Tho 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 day
    Can Tho $28
    Harbin $24
Typical Food Prices in Can Tho

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:


  • Restaurant Dinner (for Two)
    $4.93
  • Coconut
    $0.27
  • Mango
    $1.02
  • Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)
    $6.60
  • Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees
    $0.61
  • Casual Lunch (for One)
    $2.65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho

For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Floating Market, Canals, Garden & Cooking Class: $24
  • Premium Can Tho Food Tour – “Wrap & Roll”: $29
  • Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
  • Biking and Cooking Class in Can Tho Rural: $32
  • Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
  • Biking and cooking class in the rural tour at Can Tho: $36
  • Can Tho food tour voted by local - Vegan option is available: $38
  • Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
  • Authentic Vietnamese Cooking Class in Can Tho: $39
  • Walking street food tour designed by local chef: $41
  • Vietnamese Cooking Class with Lunch: $48
  • Cooking Class - Flavors of the Delta: $52

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin

For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner Show with Costumes and Performances: $29
  • Harbin Cultural Tour at Zhongyang Dajie to Baluoke with Dinner: $80
  • Central Street, Baluoke Village, and Dinner Tour: $90
  • Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
  • Hot Spring Experience with Hot Pot Dinner in Harbin: $300

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Can Tho $16
    Harbin $53
Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho

For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Sunset Boat Ride
    $1.90
  • Half Day Floating Market Tour
    $7.96

Tours and Activities in Can Tho

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.

  • Private ecotour in floating market-nature reserved: $93
  • Victoria Sunset Cruise on Hau River: $35
  • 1 day-Tra Su cajuput forest tour pick up from Chau Doc or Can Tho: $155
  • Bicycle Tour Through Peaceful Villages: $37
  • Boat tour visit 3 pagodas, Ancient house, see sunset on mekong river: $59
  • CASA Authentic Bicycle Tour: $89
  • CASA Authentic Mekong Motorbike Tour: $89
  • Cai Rang Floating Market - My Tho & Ben Tre - VIP Private Tour: $125
  • Cai Rang Floating Market Tour & Rural Cycling: $63
  • Cai Rang Floating Market Tour -Amazing Can Tho : $78
  • Cai Rang Floating Market Tour with Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve: $92
  • Can Tho Countryside Bike Tour with Fruit Garden Visit: $30

Tours and Activities in Harbin

For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Harbin Igloos Hot Pot Private Tour: $300
  • Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice Festival: $261
  • 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $168
  • 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
  • All-Inclusive Harbin City History and Local Culture Private Day Tour: $300
  • Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
  • Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
  • Half-Day Private Old Harbin Street Walking Tour with Meal: $300
  • Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
  • Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
  • Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
  • Harbin Ice Lantern Show and Center Street Tour: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Can Tho $6.26
    Harbin $7.96
Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $3.03

Sample the Local Flavors in Harbin

Also in Harbin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Brewery Tour: $250


When comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Harbin, we can see that Can Tho is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Harbin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Harbin?

Harbin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho and Harbin, 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.


When is the best time to visit Can Tho or Harbin?

Harbin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Can Tho experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Can Tho or Harbin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Can Tho and Harbin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Can Tho year-round.

Can Tho is a little warmer than Harbin in the summer. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Harbin fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Harbin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Can Tho gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Can Tho usually receives more rain than Harbin. Can Tho gets 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Can Tho 28°C (82°F) 
    Harbin 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Can Tho or Harbin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Can Tho as well as Harbin. Can Tho attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Can Tho is much warmer than Harbin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Can Tho in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Harbin averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Can Tho receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Can Tho usually gets more rain in October than Harbin. Can Tho gets 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. May to November in Can Tho is the rainy season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Can Tho 28°C (82°F) 
    Harbin 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Can Tho or Harbin in the Winter?

Both Harbin and Can Tho are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Can Tho throughout the year.

Harbin can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Can Tho is generally much warmer than Harbin. Daily temperatures in Can Tho average around 26°C (78°F), and Harbin fluctuates around -18°C (-0°F).

In January, Can Tho usually receives more rain than Harbin. Can Tho gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Can Tho 26°C (78°F) 
    Harbin -18°C (-0°F)

Should I visit Can Tho or Harbin in the Spring?

Both Harbin and Can Tho during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Can Tho because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Can Tho is much warmer than Harbin in the spring. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Harbin fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. Can Tho usually gets more rain in April than Harbin. Can Tho gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Harbin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Can Tho. May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Can Tho 29°C (84°F) 
    Harbin 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Harbin and Can Tho

Can Tho Harbin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) -18°C (-0°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) -14°C (7°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) -3°C (26°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 268 mm (10.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 332 mm (13.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 313 mm (12.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 365 mm (14.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 360 mm (14.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 343 mm (13.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) -4°C (24°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) -14°C (7°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)