Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Hanoi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hanoi or Vientiane?
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 Vientiane 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 Vientiane?
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.
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHanoi $49Vientiane $15
The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $49, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is $15. 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 Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHanoi $25Vientiane $6.01
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHanoi $50Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Hanoi or Vientiane? 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.
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 and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hanoi $6.89Vientiane $2.08
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.20
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.20
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.40
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Short Taxi Ride$1.36
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Hanoi Private Car Airport Transfer To Hotel: $7.18
- Noi Bai Airport transfer to Hanoi Center and more: $8.00
- Noi Bai International Airport Private Transfer: $8.21
- Hanoi City Center to Noi Bai Airport - Private Transfer: $8.43
- Noi Bai Airport Transfer Service: $8.54
- Hanoi Airport Departure Shared Transfer: $10
- Private Noi Bai International Airport Transfer: $11
- One Way Transfer From hotel to airport or vice versal: $13
- Hanoi Airport Transfer: $13
- HaNoi City to Noi Bai Airport transfer by private car: $13
- Hanoi Airport: Private Transfer: $14
- Private Noi Bai International Airport Transfer: $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Hanoi or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane 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
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Food Meals for one dayHanoi $13Vientiane $6.32
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$12
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.39
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Bowl of Pho$0.80
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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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Private Evening Food Tour of Laos: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hanoi $8.51Vientiane $3.54
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.60
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.60
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National History Museum$1.60
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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:
- Bus Ticket Cat Ba - Hanoi ( Bus+ Ferry ) - Best Selling: $0.02
- Hanoi Old Quarter Half-day Private Walking Tour : $5.00
- Private Walking City Tour in Hanoi : $5.00
- Private Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour: $5.00
- Hanoi Street Food Experience: $5.00
- Half-day Private Walking Tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter: $5.00
- Sightseeing Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Street Food Walking Tour in Hanoi: $5.00
- Private Walking Tour of Hanoi City: $5.00
- Craft Village Tour (Quang Phu Cau, Bat Trang,...): $5.13
- Early Morning Tour | Free Private Tour Guide: $5.13
- Culture Exchange with Free Private Tour Guide: $5.13
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Vientiane ATV and Canopy Walking Experience: $48
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $62
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $67
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $69
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Vientiane: $82
- Vientiane City Day Tour and Buddha Park Visit with Lunch: $88
- 2 Days Private Tour in Vientiane and Vang Vieng: $90
- Private Vientiane Tour - include Buddha Park: $100
- Private Tour: Full-day Vientiane's Must-See Sights and River Sunset with Lunch: $101
- Private Tour: Half-day City Guided Tour of Vientiane: $113
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHanoi $7.70Vientiane $2.35
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hanoi and Vientiane, we can see that Hanoi is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Hanoi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hanoi than you might in Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hanoi Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Vientiane?
Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Vientiane, 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 Vientiane?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Hanoi or Vientiane in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi. Vientiane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Hanoi is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 29°C (84°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHanoi 29°C (84°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Vientiane in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Vientiane. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Also, November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hanoi usually gets more rain in October than Vientiane. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Hanoi is cooler than Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHanoi 25°C (77°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Vientiane in the Winter?
Both Vientiane and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Hanoi is cooler than Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hanoi in January average around 17°C (63°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHanoi 17°C (63°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Vientiane in the Spring?
Both Vientiane 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
November to April is the dry season in Hanoi. May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets more rain in April than Vientiane. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. In April, Hanoi is generally cooler than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 24°C (75°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHanoi 24°C (75°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Hanoi
| Hanoi | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (72°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.