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

Should you visit Can Tho or Matsue?

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

Can Tho

Can Tho is a cultural, unique, and fascinating city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Matsue

Matsue is a serene, historic, and quiet town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Can Tho and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Can Tho or Matsue?

You'll generally find more things to do in Can Tho than Matsue. Can Tho is bigger than Matsue, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Can Tho is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Can Tho is well known for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. Also, Can Tho is famous for Cai Rang Floating Market. Matsue is well known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Can Tho different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Matsue 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 Matsue?

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

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 Matsue can be an interesting and educational experience. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

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

Both Can Tho and Matsue offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Can Tho has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Dining out in Matsue is an experience not to be missed. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Is Can Tho or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Can Tho is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Can Tho has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Can Tho or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Matsue is very good for its old town. However, Can Tho does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Matsue. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Can Tho does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Can Tho or Matsue?

Can Tho is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Can Tho make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Can Tho or Matsue Better for Families?

Can Tho is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Can Tho is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Can Tho or Matsue Better for Couples?

Can Tho is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Can Tho frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Matsue is a good city for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

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

Can Tho is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Can Tho is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

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

Matsue has some very good public transit options. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

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 Matsue a more walkable city?

Matsue 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.

Matsue is a very walkable town. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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 Matsue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Can Tho?

How long in Can Tho or Matsue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Can Tho and Matsue. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Matsue 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 Matsue.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Can Tho than Matsue 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 Can Tho.

One day in Can Tho or Matsue?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Can Tho. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Matsue, you'll find museums and food. This town 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 Matsue?

Can Tho is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Can Tho or Matsue?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Can Tho. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Matsue 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.

A week in Can Tho or Matsue?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Can Tho. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Matsue. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

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

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 Matsue Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Matsue?

Can Tho has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

Matsue 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 Matsue in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Can Tho as well as Matsue. Can Tho attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Matsue in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Can Tho is around the same temperature as Matsue in the summer. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In the summer, Can Tho often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Can Tho gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Can Tho receives a lot of rain in the summer. Can Tho usually gets more rain in July than Matsue. Can Tho gets 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Can Tho or Matsue in the Autumn?

Both Matsue and Can Tho are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Can Tho throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Can Tho is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Can Tho in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Matsue averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Can Tho usually receives less sunshine than Matsue during autumn. Can Tho gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Can Tho. In October, Can Tho usually receives more rain than Matsue. Can Tho gets 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Can Tho is December to April. The rainy season in Can Tho is May to November.

Should I visit Can Tho or Matsue in the Winter?

Both Matsue and Can Tho during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Can Tho because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Matsue because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Matsue can be very cold. In January, Can Tho is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Can Tho average around 26°C (78°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

It's quite sunny in Can Tho. In the winter, Can Tho often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Can Tho gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Can Tho usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Can Tho gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Can Tho or Matsue in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Can Tho and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Can Tho year-round. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

Can Tho is much warmer than Matsue in the spring. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Can Tho, it's very sunny this time of the year. Can Tho usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during spring. Can Tho gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the spring. Can Tho gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Can Tho usually receives less rain than Matsue. Can Tho gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Can Tho