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

Should you visit Chiang Rai or Can Tho?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chiang Rai or Can Tho, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a beautiful, friendly, and charming city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Chiang Rai and Can Tho: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Rai or Can Tho?

You'll generally find more things to do in Can Tho than Chiang Rai. Can Tho is bigger than Chiang Rai, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Can Tho is better known for its shopping and big city activities, while Chiang Rai is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Can Tho is more touristy than Chiang Rai and is known for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. Also, Can Tho is famous for Cai Rang Floating Market. Chiang Rai is well known for its intricate temples, unique cuisine, and being the gateway to the Golden Triangle.

How is Chiang Rai different from Can Tho?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chiang Rai is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Chiang Rai are world-renowned. The Old City is filled with breathtaking temples and cultural sites. Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) is an iconic sight, but you should also visit the Black House, and Wat Rong Seua Ten (the Blue Temple). Wat Tham Pla is the Monkey Temple and has a dramatic effect with its steep staircase. It's a short drive from Chiang Rai, but worth the trip as it's overrun with monkeys.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Can Tho can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Chiang Rai 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.

Chiang Rai has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The regional cuisine is famous for its unique dishes and flavors. It's slightly less spicy than the southern Thai cuisine and the dishes are rich in flavor. Northern Thai sausage is a must-try dish, as is Khao Soi Curry, and Khao Soi Gai Nong (coconut curry and chicken soup).

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 Chiang Rai or Can Tho Better for Nightlife?

Both Chiang Rai and Can Tho have notable vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Chiang Rai. The small city has a laid back nightlife scene with a number of bars and cafes along Jetyod Road. You'll find a mix of expats and locals, without the usual backpacker crowds that are common in some cities.

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.

Is Chiang Rai or Can Tho Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Rai is great for its old town. However, Can Tho does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Chiang Rai. The Old City is filled with intricate temples and impressive beauty. The area is very walkable and you can easily visit the famed Wat Ming Muang, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Phra Singh.

Can Tho does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Rai or Can Tho Better for Hiking?

Chiang Rai is very good for hiking. However, Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Chiang Rai. Head out of town to Khun Korn Forest Park Waterfall if you want to enjoy some hiking. It makes an easy half day trip.

Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Rai or Can Tho?

Can Tho is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Rai. Local markets, night markets, and souvenir shops with handcrafted goods all make shopping a fun experience. Head to the Night Bazaar or the Walking Street for some of the best experiences.

Is Chiang Rai or Can Tho Better for Families?

Chiang Rai and Can Tho are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Chiang Rai is very family-friendly. There are parks and outdoor spaces to explore such as Singha Park and the Garden of Reeds. For a little bit of silly fun, check out Nava Land Water Park and if you want to get out of town a bit, you'll find some great hiking nearby at Khun Korn Forest Park Waterfall.

Can Tho is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Chiang Rai or Can Tho Better for Couples?

Chiang Rai and Can Tho are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Chiang Rai makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautiful temples, impressive gardens, and an authentic Thai experience all make this a romantic and fun destination 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.

Is Chiang Rai or Can Tho Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Rai and Can Tho are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Chiang Rai. There is no shortage of affordable hostels around town. There are also enough backpackers around to keep things fun but not so many that the local vibe is lost.

Can Tho is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

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

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Chiang Rai and Can Tho.

Public transit is mostly limited in Chiang Rai. Tuk tuks and taxis are your best bet for getting around town in a vehicle.

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 Chiang Rai or Can Tho a more walkable city?

Chiang Rai 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.

Chiang Rai is a very walkable city. The old city is easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Can Tho or Chiang Rai?

How long in Chiang Rai or Can Tho?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chiang Rai or Can Tho to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chiang Rai than Can Tho because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Rai, and 1-2 days is enough time in Can Tho.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Rai.

One day in Chiang Rai or Can Tho?

In Chiang Rai, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Can Tho, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Can Tho, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Chiang Rai or Can Tho?

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Can Tho, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Chiang Rai or Can Tho?

Chiang Rai is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Can Tho, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Rai or Can Tho?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Rai. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chiang Rai. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Can Tho is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best Bicycle Tours in Vietnam, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Rai and Can Tho, we can see that Can Tho is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Rai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Rai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Rai 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 Chiang Rai.

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

Which is Bigger, Chiang Rai or Can Tho?

Can Tho has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chiang Rai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Rai and Can Tho, 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.