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

Should you visit Hanoi or Munich?

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 Munich 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. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Munich

Munich is a bustling, high energy, and multicultural 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, live music, and food.

Hanoi and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hanoi or Munich?

Both Munich and Hanoi have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Hanoi is more popular for its museums & sights and historical sights, while Munich is known for its nightlife and music. Hanoi is popular for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy. Munich is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles.

How is Hanoi different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hanoi is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Hanoi on the map. 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 Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Hanoi and Munich.

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.

Munich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Hanoi or Munich Better for Nightlife?

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

Munich is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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 Munich Better for Music?

Munich 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 Munich The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Hanoi is not a live music destination.

Is Hanoi or Munich Better for its Old Town?

Hanoi is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Hanoi can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hanoi or Munich?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Munich and Hanoi.

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 people travel to Munich specifically to go shopping. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Is Hanoi or Munich Better for Families?

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

Munich is a very kid-friendly city. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city 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 Munich Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Munich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

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 Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi and Munich 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 Munich, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

Is Hanoi or Munich Better for Students?

Munich is renowned for students. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Munich is a very popular city for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Many students visit Hanoi. 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.

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

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

Munich has a great public transit system. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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 Munich a more walkable city?

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

Munich is a very walkable city. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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 Munich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Munich or Hanoi?

How long in Hanoi or Munich?

In either Hanoi or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Munich has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Munich than Hanoi. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Hanoi, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich 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 Munich.

One day in Hanoi or Munich?

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 Munich, many people enjoy the live music and food that this bustling big city offers. 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 Munich?

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 Munich. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Munich?

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.

Munich is a fun place to experience. In Munich, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Hanoi or Munich?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural 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 museums and nightlife around the multicultural big city of Munich. 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 Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Munich?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Munich. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Munich, 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 Munich?

Munich 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 Munich in the Summer?

Both Munich 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 Munich because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hanoi is a little warmer than Munich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hanoi in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Munich averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In July, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Munich. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September.

Should I visit Hanoi or Munich in the Autumn?

Both Munich 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, and the music scene are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

In October, Hanoi is generally much warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 25°C (77°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Hanoi.

Should I visit Hanoi or Munich in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Munich. Hanoi is much warmer than Munich in the winter. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 17°C (63°F) in January, and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In January, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Munich. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hanoi or Munich in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Hanoi is much warmer than Munich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hanoi in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hanoi usually gets more rain in April than Munich. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 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 Munich and Hanoi