A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hanoi vs. Gold Coast for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Hanoi or Gold Coast?

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 Gold Coast 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 fascinating, high energy, and colorful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Hanoi travel costs.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a glamourous, vibrant, and colorful coastline. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Gold Coast travel costs.

Hanoi and Gold Coast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hanoi or Gold Coast?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Gold Coast than Hanoi. While Hanoi is larger than Gold Coast, Gold Coast has more sights and attractions for tourists. Gold Coast is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Hanoi is known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities. Gold Coast is more touristy than Hanoi and is popular for its colorful theme parks, thrilling water sports, and nearby rainforests. It is also home to the long sandy beaches. Hanoi is popular for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy.

How is Hanoi different from Gold Coast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hanoi is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Gold Coast is not as popular, but is still a nice coastline for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Hanoi has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Many visitors head to Gold Coast specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The views from the observation deck at the Q1 Resort and Spa are a not-to-be-missed experience. You'll also find many amusement parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the area.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Hanoi and Gold Coast.

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.

Gold Coast has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The coastline is filled with modern Australian restaurants that serve locally caught seafood and modern twists on traditional dishes. There are wine bars, fine dining restaurants, and more casual options. You'll also find plenty of international eateries as well.

Is Hanoi or Gold Coast Better for Nightlife?

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

Gold Coast is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene is filled with ritz and glam, but you'll also find wild beach parties and lively nightclubs. There are backpackers and students that keep the parties going until the morning hours.

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 Gold Coast Better for Resorts?

Gold Coast is renowned for its resorts. However, Hanoi is not a resort destination.

Gold Coast is a world class resort vacation destination. Resorts range from family-friendly to backpacker-focused with everything in between. There are many high rise resorts that have luxury pools and beachfront views.

Hanoi is not a resort destination.

Is Hanoi or Gold Coast Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gold Coast is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Hanoi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Gold Coast is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many dive shops and snorkeling excursions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there are excursions that will not disappoint. There are also many places that offer certification courses.

Hanoi is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hanoi or Gold Coast Better for Beaches?

Gold Coast is renowned for the beach. However, Hanoi is not a beach destination.

Gold Coast is considered to be a world-class beach destination. This stretch of beachline is perfect for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. There are miles of coastline that are sandy and beautiful and some of the most popular beaches include the Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach.

Hanoi is not a beach destination.

Is Hanoi or Gold Coast Better for its Old Town?

Hanoi is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Gold Coast does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Hanoi is revered around the world. 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.

Gold Coast does not have a historic old town.

Is Hanoi or Gold Coast Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Gold Coast. The Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk connects the area's diverse and lush rainforests through the Numinbah Valley. It's a World Heritage Area with subtropical rainforest as well as warm temperate rainforest, and Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest.

Hanoi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hanoi or Gold Coast?

Hanoi is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Gold Coast is not as popular, but is still a nice coastline for shopping.

Many people travel to Hanoi specifically to go shopping. 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.

Gold Coast is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are large outlet malls, outdoor markets, and designer shopping centers. You'll find trendy fashion designers as well as the typical souvenir shops.

Is Hanoi or Gold Coast Better for Families?

Gold Coast is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Gold Coast is an extremely popular coastline to visit for families. It's filled with popular theme parks and other adrenaline-filled activities. There are surfing lessons, wildlife sanctuaries, ropes courses, and water sports. Kids of all ages will appreciate this fun-filled setting with its many family-friendly resorts and restaurants.

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 Gold Coast Better for Couples?

Gold Coast is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Gold Coast is a great coastline for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples that energy high energy activities, water sports, theme parks, and parties that last into the morning, will love a stay at this vibrant coast. There's no shortage of great restaurants, entertaining shows, and fun activities that you can 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 Gold Coast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi and Gold Coast are terrific 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 Gold Coast, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this vibrant coastline. There are hostels and budget-friendly places to stay, and there's a huge nightlife scene. The many activities and long sandy beaches make this a well established stop on Australia's backpacker circuit.

Is Hanoi or Gold Coast Better for Students?

Hanoi is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Gold Coast is not popular with students.

Hanoi is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Gold Coast is not popular with students.

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

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

The public transit in Gold Coast can get you around easily. There's a bus, train, and tram network that's operated by TransLink and runs along the coast.

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 Gold Coast a more walkable city?

Hanoi and Gold Coast both are good 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.

Gold Coast is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the area that can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Gold Coast or Hanoi?

How long in Hanoi or Gold Coast?

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

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

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

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

One day in Hanoi or Gold Coast?

When visiting Hanoi, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Gold Coast, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this colorful destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This coastline 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 Gold Coast?

When visiting Hanoi, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gold Coast. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Hanoi or Gold Coast?

Hanoi, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Gold Coast is a fun place to experience. In Gold Coast, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Hanoi or Gold Coast?

Hanoi is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

In Gold Coast, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this high energy destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.

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

Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Gold Coast?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Gold Coast. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Gold Coast, 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 Gold Coast?

Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast in the Summer?

Both Gold Coast and Hanoi during the summer 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 Gold Coast in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hanoi is a little warmer than Gold Coast. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hanoi in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

Gold Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets more rain in July than Gold Coastin January. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.

Should I visit Hanoi or Gold Coast in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Gold Coast. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Gold Coast for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Hanoi is generally a little warmer than Gold Coastin April. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 25°C (77°F), and Gold Coast fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Gold Coast receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hanoi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gold Coastin April. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Hanoi is the dry season.

Should I visit Hanoi or Gold Coast in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Gold Coast. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Gold Coast because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hanoi is a little warmer than Gold Coast in the winter. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 17°C (63°F) in January, and Gold Coast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in July.

Hanoi usually gets less rain in January than Gold Coastin July. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hanoi or Gold Coast in the Spring?

Both Gold Coast and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Gold Coast this time of year.

In the spring, Hanoi is a little warmer than Gold Coast. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hanoi in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Gold Coast averages at about 21°C (69°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gold Coast. It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In April, Hanoi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gold Coastin October. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Gold Coast receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Hanoi is November to April. The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September.

Typical Weather for Gold Coast and Hanoi