A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hanoi vs. Darwin for Attractions, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Hanoi or Darwin?

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 Darwin 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 nightlife, food, and shopping. See Hanoi travel costs.

Darwin

Darwin is a authentic, local, and tropical town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Darwin travel costs.

Hanoi and Darwin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hanoi or Darwin?

You'll generally find more things to do in Hanoi than Darwin. Hanoi is bigger than Darwin, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Hanoi is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Darwin is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Hanoi is more touristy than Darwin and is known for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy. Also, Hanoi is famous for Hoan Kiem Lake. Darwin is well known for its outdoor markets and tropical weather.

How is Hanoi different from Darwin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hanoi is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Darwin. You can check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, explore the city's Waterfront Precinct, and spend some time at the Darwin Military Museum.

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

Hanoi is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Darwin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are plenty of local restaurants that serve seafood or local twists on international flavors. Many restaurants offer Barramundi that is prepared in unique ways. You can try the Barramundi Bibimbap or the Crispy Baby Barramundi.

Is Hanoi or Darwin Better for Nightlife?

Hanoi is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Hanoi has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Darwin. You'll find the most bars along Mitchell Street or in the Waterfront Precinct area. There are also some popular nightclubs and music venues in town.

Is Hanoi or Darwin Better for Beaches?

Darwin is a town with good options for the beach. However, Hanoi is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Darwin. Most people don't swim at the beaches because of the saltwater crocodiles and jellyfish. You can hang out in the sand though and Mindil Beach is a favorite spot for locals.

Hanoi is not a beach destination.

Is Hanoi or Darwin Better for its Old Town?

Hanoi is terrific for its old town. However, Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Hanoi has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Darwin does not have a historic old town.

Is Hanoi or Darwin Better for Hiking?

Darwin is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Hanoi is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Darwin. In addition to city walks, there are many national parks that make great day trips from town. Litchfield National Park has many hikes as does Mary River National Park. The town is also known as the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Hanoi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hanoi or Darwin?

Hanoi is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Darwin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping malls, art galleries, and trendy boutiques around town.

Is Hanoi or Darwin Better for Families?

Darwin is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Darwin is a very kid-friendly town. Kids will enjoy the many outdoor activities in town and in the surrounding areas. There are wildlife parks and several national parks in the area like Litchfield National Park. For many families, this is a stop off on there way to Kakadu National Park.

Hanoi offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Hanoi or Darwin Better for Couples?

Both Hanoi and Darwin are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Hanoi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Darwin is a good city for couples to visit. The beautiful weather means that you can spend most of your time outdoors. Sunset picnics are popular, but for many visitors, it's all about the day trips to nearby parks.

Is Hanoi or Darwin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi is terrific for backpackers. Also, Darwin is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Darwin is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels in town that make this an easy place to spend a night or two for backpackers.

Is Hanoi or Darwin Better for Students?

Hanoi is notable for students. However, Darwin 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.

Darwin is not popular with students.

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

Darwin is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Hanoi is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Darwin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses around town. There's also a waterfront shuttle.

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 Darwin a more walkable city?

Hanoi and Darwin both are notable when exploring on foot.

Hanoi is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

Darwin is a somewhat walkable city. There are biking and walking paths around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Darwin or Hanoi?

How long in Hanoi or Darwin?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hanoi and Darwin. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hanoi than in Darwin. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Hanoi, and 2-3 days is enough time in Darwin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hanoi than Darwin 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 Darwin?

Hanoi is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Darwin, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town 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 Darwin?

Hanoi is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Darwin. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Darwin?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hanoi. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Darwin is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Darwin. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Hanoi or Darwin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical big city of Hanoi. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the local destination of Darwin. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Darwin?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Darwin, 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 Darwin?

Darwin 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 Darwin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Darwin because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hanoi is around the same temperature as Darwin in the summer. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in January.

Darwin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Darwinin January. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.

Should I visit Hanoi or Darwin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Darwin. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.

In the autumn, Hanoi is cooler than Darwin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hanoi in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.

Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hanoi usually gets more rain in October than Darwinin April. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Hanoi is the dry season.

Should I visit Hanoi or Darwin in the Winter?

Both Darwin and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Darwin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Hanoi is generally cooler than Darwinin July. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 17°C (63°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In January, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Darwinin July. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hanoi or Darwin in the Spring?

Both Darwin and Hanoi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Darwin in the spring for the beaches.

Hanoi is cooler than Darwin in the spring. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets more rain in April than Darwinin October. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Hanoi. May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.

Typical Weather for Darwin and Hanoi