A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hanoi vs. Amsterdam for Attractions, Nightlife, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hanoi or Amsterdam?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Amsterdam 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.

Hanoi

Hanoi is a colorful, cultural, and historical city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a party-oriented, laid-back, and scenic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hanoi and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hanoi or Amsterdam?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Hanoi. While Hanoi is larger than Amsterdam, Amsterdam has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Amsterdam is better known for its nightlife, music, and impressive beauty, while Hanoi is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. Amsterdam is more touristy than Hanoi and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Hanoi is well known for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy.

How is Hanoi different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hanoi or Amsterdam?

Hanoi is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Hanoi are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is rich in history and culture, which you can experience through its many museums and temples. Notable sights include the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hoa Lo Prison Museum, and the Imperial Citadel.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Amsterdam. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

Is the Food Better in Hanoi or Amsterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hanoi is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Hanoi. Northern Vietnamese cuisine is fresh and delicious. There are some Chinese influences, but it still has a distinct flavor that's all its own. Most notably, Hanoi is the birthplace of the famous soup, Pho. There are also many dishes that use freshwater fish and seafood. Street food and food stalls are a part of the culture, and you'll find some of the best dishes prepared right on the street.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Hanoi or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Amsterdam is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Many people head to Hanoi for the nightlife scene. There are night markets, nightclubs, and bars that are popular with backpackers and other young travelers. Some of the best streets for nightlife include Ta Hien Street, Hang Buom Street, Trang Tien Street, and Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street.

Is Hanoi or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam is renowned for its live music scene. However, Hanoi is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Amsterdam The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Hanoi is not a live music destination.

Is Hanoi or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

Hanoi is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Hanoi offers plenty to see. This compact and energetic area is filled with history, Vietnamese architecture, traditional food stalls, and some of the city's most interesting streets. It's also at the heart of the city's backpacker scene, and you'll find many hostels in the area.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Hanoi or Amsterdam?

Hanoi is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Hanoi make it a world-class shopping destination. Explore the Old Quarter where you'll find narrow shophouses and traditional markets. It's best to explore on foot and pop in to the places that look interesting. Silk Street and Silver Street are particularly fascinating.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Amsterdam. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Is Hanoi or Amsterdam Better for Families?

Hanoi is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Hanoi. Some kids love the energy of the city, but others can get a bit intimidated by it. The traffic and chaotic congestion is part of the experience, but for kids it can feel overwhelming. Take a tour to help ease some of the pressure. Kids will also enjoy going to a water puppet show or visiting a museum such as the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Hanoi or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Hanoi is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy adventure and exploring new cultures will love a trip to this fascinating city. If you want to get out of town, also book a trip through the stunning Halong Bay.

Is Hanoi or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi and Amsterdam are first-rate places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Hanoi. It's a highlight for many backpackers doing the Southeast Asian circuit. It is filled with hostels and cheap places to eat, and there is no shortage of backpackers around town. Most stay in the Old Quarter, where you'll find the highest concentration of hostels and budget accommodation.

A large number of backpackers visit Amsterdam, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

Is Hanoi or Amsterdam Better for Students?

Hanoi is well known for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Hanoi is a great city to visit as a student. It's affordability, fascinating culture, and accessibility make it a great study abroad destination. The food and plethora of cultural opportunities are a highlight for many international students.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Hanoi or Amsterdam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Amsterdam is renowned for its public transit. However, Hanoi is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Amsterdam has a great public transit system. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hanoi. The best ways to get around town include motorbike taxis, cyclos, regular taxis, and local buses.

Is Hanoi or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Amsterdam on foot is easy. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Hanoi is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are best explored on foot, but you'll also find crowded areas with motorbikes, food stalls, and cars, so come prepared for a bit of a thrill. Most visitors spend the majority of their time in the Old Quarter, which is compact and dense.

For even more information, also check out Is Hanoi Worth Visiting? and Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Hanoi?

How long in Hanoi or Amsterdam?

Both Hanoi and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Hanoi. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Hanoi, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

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

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Hanoi. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Amsterdam that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hanoi than Amsterdam 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 Hanoi.

One day in Hanoi or Amsterdam?

People visit Hanoi because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Amsterdam, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this laid-back big city offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Hanoi or Amsterdam?

People visit Hanoi because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Hanoi or Amsterdam?

People visit Hanoi because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Amsterdam is a fun place to experience. In Amsterdam, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this big city destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Hanoi or Amsterdam?

Hanoi is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Amsterdam, many people enjoy the live music and shopping that this historic big city offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hanoi and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hanoi is in Asia and Amsterdam is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Hanoi.

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

Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Amsterdam?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Amsterdam, 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 Hanoi or Amsterdam?

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

Should I visit Hanoi or Amsterdam in the Summer?

Both Amsterdam and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hanoi is much warmer than Amsterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In July, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Amsterdam. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September.

Should I visit Hanoi or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

Both Amsterdam and Hanoi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.

In the autumn, Hanoi is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hanoi in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 11°C (51°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets more rain in October than Amsterdam. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Hanoi.

Should I visit Hanoi or Amsterdam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Amsterdam. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Also, many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. In January, Hanoi is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 17°C (63°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In January, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hanoi or Amsterdam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Amsterdam. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Hanoi is much warmer than Amsterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hanoi usually gets more rain in April than Amsterdam. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. May to September in Hanoi is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Hanoi