A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hanoi vs. Datong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hanoi or Datong?

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 Datong 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.

Where Should I go: Hanoi or Datong?

Hanoi

Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.

Datong

If you're looking for an old world city, with a renovated feel, you might want to spend some time in Datong, China. This city was once walled-in and the newest initiative is to rebuild their great wall to maintain their old world charm. Datong is definitely done a lot to make itself a contender in the world of vacation destinations.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Datong or Hanoi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $49, while the average daily cost in Datong is $56. 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 Hanoi and Datong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hanoi $25
    Datong $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hanoi $50
    Datong $46
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Datong

Looking for a hotel in Hanoi or Datong? 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.

Hotels in Hanoi


Hotels in Datong


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hanoi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hanoi $6.89
    Datong $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:


  • Taxi to Bus Station
    $1.20
  • Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)
    $3.20
  • Local Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.40
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.36
  • Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)
    $0.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:

  • Halong Bay: 3-Day 2-Night 4-Star Cruise with Transfer: $450
  • Private Transfer to/from Sapa: $352
  • Transfer to Sapa Private car: $300
  • Luxury Halong Bay Cruise 2 Days-1 Night with 5 Star included transfer & pick up: $290
  • 3-Day Halong Bay Cruise with Round-trip Transfer From Hanoi: $285
  • 3-Day Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay 5-Star Cruise & Transfer: $280
  • Hanoi Private Transfer from Hanoi (HAN) Airport to Vinh City: $258
  • Overnight Halong Bay Cruise Including Transfer Service and Kayaking or Bamboo Boat Activities: $250
  • Peony Cruise 5* Lan Hạ Bay 2 days 1 night with 2 ways transfer: $229
  • Hanoi - Sapa One Way Private Transfer: $210
  • 2-Day Ninh Binh & Halong Bay With Transfer: $210
  • Halong Bay Seaplane Tour with Transfer from Hanoi by expressway: $205

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Datong

Also for Datong, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Chengdu: Private Round-Trip Transfer to Leshan Budda: $128
  • Datong Hanging Temple Private Transfer from Hotel or Station: $69
  • Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $12
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer to Hanging Temple: $98
  • Dunhuang Private Round Trip Transfer to Jiayuguan and Xuanbi Great Wall : $100
  • Private One Way Transfer from Datong to Beijing : $211
  • Private Transfer Service from Yungang Airport to Datong Hotel: $29
  • Transfer from Datong Railway Stations to Hotels in City Center: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Hanoi or Datong?

Prices for flights to both Datong and Hanoi 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hanoi $13
    Datong $20
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:


  • High End Dinner (for Two)
    $12
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.39
  • Bowl of Pho
    $0.80
  • Italian Dinner (for Food)
    $6.19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.

  • Street Food Tour (Group/Individual): $5.13
  • (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR : $5.13
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour Visit Train Street Add Old Quarter: $19
  • Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour: $20
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour: $22
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
  • Ngon ngon & Authentic Hanoi Food Tour: $23
  • Mad Monkey Hoi An Cooking Class & Bamboo Boats: $23
  • Vietnamese Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $24
  • Vietnamese Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $24
  • Walking Street Food Tour Small Group with Local Guide: $24
  • Guided Half-Day Hanoi Street Food Tour: $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hanoi $8.51
    Datong $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi

Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Puppet Theater
    $1.60
  • The Hanoi Hilton Entrance
    $1.60
  • National History Museum
    $1.60
  • Puppet Theater Ticket
    $2.80

Tours and Activities in Hanoi

Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Day Luxury Arcady Cruise Tour from Hanoi by Express Limousine: $75
  • 2 Day Golden Bay Cruise Explore Halong Bay from Hanoi: $220
  • 2 Day Private Guided Tour in Pu Luong Nature Hanoi: $169
  • 4 Days 3 Nights Ha Giang Loop Tour from Hanoi by Sleeper Bus: $235
  • 4 Hours and 30 Minutes Historical Hanoi Army Jeep Tour: $58
  • 5 Days Motorbike Tour in Ha Giang Loop From Hanoi: $265
  • Beautiful Female Riders Vespa Red River Countryside Tour 5 Hours: $65
  • From Halong Bay by Scenic Seaplane and Luxury Day Cruise: $230
  • Full Day Tour in Hanoi City: $35
  • Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour-Cave, Kayaking,Ti top island & Lunch: $41
  • Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour: $59
  • Ha Noi private city tour full day and cyclo: $69

Tours and Activities in Datong

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Datong.

  • Yungang Grottoes Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $22
  • Datong Private Self-guided Tour with Chartered Car: $26
  • YungangGrottoe HangingTemple Private Self-guided Tour by Car: $79
  • Datong Hanging Temple Wooden Pagoda Self-guided Tour by Car: $95
  • 4-8 hours Private Datong Great Wall Tour: $99
  • Private Datong Day Tour Arranged by Local Tour Guide Nancy: $129
  • Datong Classic Day Tour: $135
  • Temples and Grottoes Private Full–Day Tour: $149
  • Private city tour Datong Yungang grottoes and Huayan Monastery: $160
  • Private Tour: Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Monastery From Datong: $164
  • Private Custom Tour: Datong City in One Day: $180
  • All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Hanging Temple at Hengshan from Datong : $188

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hanoi $7.70
    Datong $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Hanoi

Also in Hanoi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Hanoi Beer and Brewery Tour: $48
  • Half-Day Guided Tour Australian Beef with Wine Tasting & Rickshaw in Hanoi: $106


When comparing the travel costs between Hanoi and Datong, we can see that Datong is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Datong?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Datong. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Datong, 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.