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

Should you visit Hanoi or Oslo?

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 Oslo 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. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Hanoi and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hanoi or Oslo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hanoi than Oslo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Hanoi is famous for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy. It is also well known for Hoan Kiem Lake. Oslo is famous for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Hanoi different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hanoi is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Hanoi that are not to be missed. 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 Oslo. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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

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

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Hanoi makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Hanoi or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Hanoi is notable for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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 Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Hanoi or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Hanoi is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Hanoi offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hanoi or Oslo?

Hanoi is an amazing city to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Hanoi is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Hanoi or Oslo Better for Families?

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

Oslo is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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 Oslo Better for Couples?

Both Hanoi and Oslo are nice 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.

Oslo is a good city for couples to visit. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Hanoi or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hanoi is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Oslo is a good city to visit for backpackers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Hanoi or Oslo Better for Students?

Hanoi and Oslo are high quality places to visit for students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Many students visit Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

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

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

Oslo has a great public transit system. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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 Oslo a more walkable city?

Oslo 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.

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore 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 Oslo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Hanoi?

How long in Hanoi or Oslo?

In either Hanoi or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Hanoi has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hanoi than Oslo. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Hanoi, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Hanoi than Oslo. 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 Oslo 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 Oslo?

Hanoi is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Oslo, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this park-filled big city offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Hanoi or Oslo?

Hanoi is a fun place to experience. 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 a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. 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 Oslo?

Hanoi is a fascinating big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Oslo is a fun place to experience. In Oslo, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife 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 Oslo?

The high energy city of Hanoi offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the green big city of Oslo. 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 Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Oslo?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

Oslo 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 Oslo in the Summer?

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

In July, Hanoi is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 29°C (84°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Oslo. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.

Should I visit Hanoi or Oslo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Oslo. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

Hanoi is much warmer than Oslo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hanoi usually gets more rain in October than Oslo. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 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 Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo 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 Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oslo. In the winter, Hanoi is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hanoi in January average around 17°C (63°F), and Oslo averages at about -4°C (25°F).

In January, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Oslo. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hanoi or Oslo in the Spring?

Both Oslo 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 Oslo in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Hanoi is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 24°C (75°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets more rain in April than Oslo. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 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 Oslo and Hanoi