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

Should you visit Can Tho or Sendai?

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

Can Tho

Can Tho is a friendly, cultural, and unique city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Sendai

Sendai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Can Tho and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Can Tho or Sendai?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sendai than Can Tho. Sendai is bigger than Can Tho, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sendai is better known for its nightlife and beaches, while Can Tho is more popular for its food and shopping. Can Tho is well known for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. Sendai is well known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Also, Sendai is famous for the statue of Lord Masamune.

How is Can Tho different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Sendai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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

Can Tho is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Can Tho or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Sendai for the nightlife scene. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Can Tho. 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.

Is Can Tho or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Sendai is very good for the beache. However, Can Tho is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Sendai to enjoy the beach. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Can Tho is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Can Tho or Sendai?

Can Tho is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Sendai. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Is Can Tho or Sendai Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Can Tho or Sendai.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Can Tho is very family-friendly. 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.

Sendai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Is Can Tho or Sendai Better for Couples?

Can Tho is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Can Tho makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Sendai is a good city for couples to visit. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

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

Can Tho is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

Sendai is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

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

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

Sendai has some very good public transit options. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

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 Sendai a more walkable city?

Sendai 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.

Sendai is a very walkable city. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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 Sendai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Can Tho?

How long in Can Tho or Sendai?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Can Tho than Sendai. 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 Sendai 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai, 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 Sendai has to offer.

Five days in Can Tho or Sendai?

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.

Sendai 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 Sendai?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural 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 Sendai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sendai. 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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Can Tho and Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Can Tho and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Can Tho year-round. Also, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Can Tho is a little warmer than Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Can Tho usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Can Tho gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai 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 Sendai. Can Tho gets 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Can Tho or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Can Tho as well as Sendai. Can Tho attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Can Tho is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Can Tho in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Can Tho often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai. Can Tho gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Can Tho receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Can Tho usually gets more rain in October than Sendai. Can Tho gets 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 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.

Should I visit Can Tho or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai 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. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Sendai can be very cold during winter. In January, Can Tho is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Can Tho average around 26°C (78°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. Can Tho usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during winter. Can Tho gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Can Tho usually receives less rain than Sendai. Can Tho gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Can Tho or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai 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. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Can Tho is much warmer than Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Can Tho. In the spring, Can Tho often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Can Tho gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. Can Tho usually gets more rain in April than Sendai. Can Tho gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 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.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Can Tho