A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hanoi vs. Vienna for Attractions, Old Town, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Hanoi or Vienna?

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 Vienna 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. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Vienna

Vienna is a ritzy, classical, and traditional city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

Hanoi and Vienna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hanoi or Vienna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hanoi than Vienna, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hanoi is better known for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities, while Vienna is more popular for its music and impressive beauty. Vienna is more touristy than Hanoi and is popular for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. Hanoi is well known for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy. Also, Hanoi is famous for Hoan Kiem Lake.

How is Hanoi different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hanoi is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Hanoi are world-renowned. 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 Vienna. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

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

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

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.

Vienna has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.

Is Hanoi or Vienna Better for Nightlife?

Hanoi is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Hanoi has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Vienna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

Is Hanoi or Vienna Better for Music?

Vienna 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 Vienna On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.

Hanoi is not a live music destination.

Is Hanoi or Vienna Better for its Old Town?

Both Hanoi and Vienna have first-rate historic old towns worth visiting.

The old town of Hanoi is one of the most recognized in 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.

Vienna offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Hanoi or Vienna?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Vienna 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 Vienna specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Is Hanoi or Vienna Better for Families?

Both Hanoi and Vienna are notable to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Hanoi. 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.

Vienna offers lots of family activities. Families enjoy taking carriage rides or dressing up in costumes at Schönbrunn Palace. The city also has children's museums, parks, and playgrounds where you can let little legs run around.

Is Hanoi or Vienna Better for Couples?

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

Vienna is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With it's Baroque architecture and classical concerts, this city is filled with romance. Explore the palaces, take a carriage ride, or enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant.

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 Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Hanoi is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Vienna is a good city to visit for backpackers. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

Is Hanoi or Vienna Better for Students?

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

Vienna is a very popular city for students. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

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 Vienna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Vienna has a great public transit system. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

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 Vienna a more walkable city?

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

Getting around Vienna on foot is easy. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

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 Vienna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Hanoi?

How long in Hanoi or Vienna?

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

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

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

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 Vienna, many people enjoy the live music and food that this traditional destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Vienna?

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 Vienna. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Vienna?

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.

Vienna is a fun place to experience. In Vienna, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Hanoi or Vienna?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful 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 ritzy destination of Vienna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Vienna?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Hanoi. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Vienna, 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 Vienna?

Vienna 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 Vienna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Vienna. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Vienna because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Hanoi is a little warmer than Vienna in the summer. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Vienna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hanoi usually gets more rain in July than Vienna. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September in Hanoi is the rainy season.

Should I visit Hanoi or Vienna in the Autumn?

Both Vienna and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.

In the autumn, Hanoi is much warmer than Vienna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hanoi in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Vienna averages at about 12°C (54°F).

It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In October, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Vienna. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Hanoi is November to April.

Should I visit Hanoi or Vienna in the Winter?

Both Vienna and Hanoi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Vienna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vienna. In January, Hanoi is generally much warmer than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 17°C (63°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Hanoi usually gets less rain in January than Vienna. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hanoi or Vienna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Vienna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Also, many visitors come to Vienna in the spring for the natural beauty.

Hanoi is much warmer than Vienna in the spring. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Vienna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Vienna. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. Also, May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Hanoi