Which place is cheaper, Vang Vieng or Halong Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Halong Bay and Vang Vieng can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Known for its thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and stalactite-filled caves, it is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. If you appreciate natural scenery and want an adventure at sea, you'll love cruising among more than 1,900 islands in Ha Long Bay.
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $58, while the average daily cost in Vang Vieng is $14. 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 Halong Bay and Vang Vieng in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay or Vang Vieng? 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.
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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
Prices for flights to both Vang Vieng and Halong Bay 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Vang Vieng, we can see that Halong Bay is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Halong Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Halong Bay than you might in Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Halong Bay Expensive? and Is Vang Vieng Expensive?.