Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Hanoi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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 Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.
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Hanoi Prices
Vietnam PricesVientiane Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHanoi $57Vientiane $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $57, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is $23. 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 $8.34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHanoi $50Vientiane $17
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 $6.56Vientiane $1.98
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$1.14
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.04
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.38
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Short Taxi Ride$1.29
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Private Transfer from Noi Bai Airport to your Hotel: $7.40
- Noi Bai Airport transfer to Hanoi Center and more: $8.00
- Hanoi Airport One Way Private Transfer HAN to Hanoi City Center: $8.00
- Hanoi Private Departure Transfer: City Center Hotel to Airport: $8.00
- Noi Bai Airport Transfer Service: $8.54
- Hanoi Private Transfer: $9.90
- Hanoi Airport Departure Shared Transfer: $10
- Ha Noi City Transfer to Noi Bai Airport & Vice Versa_Private Car: $10
- Bus Transfer Hanoi to Halong Bay and Vice Versa: $11
- Private Transfer Between Hanoi Airport and Hanoi Center: $12
- Private car transfer from Hanoi Airport to Hotels: $12
- Private Transfer from Hanoi Port to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport (HAN): $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
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 $23Vientiane $12
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)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.18
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Bowl of Pho$0.76
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$5.89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Private Hanoi Cycling Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By Bike: $1.87
- Private Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Tour with Student Guide: $1.87
- Private Sapa Cooking Class With Ethnic Minorities Chef From Sapa: $1.87
- Best Hanoi Food Tour 7 Different Food Tasting Visit Train Street: $5.00
- (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR: $5.13
- Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
- Hanoi Farm-to-Table Cooking Class with Village Cycling: $19
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $20
- Hanoi local street food tour: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour with egg coffee making: $20
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: Hidden Local Eats & Full Meal Experience: $21
- Walking food tour & Train Street visit small group: $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $70
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hanoi $8.10Vientiane $3.76
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$1.52
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.52
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National History Museum$1.52
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.66
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hanoi Old Quarter City Sightseeing Cycling Private Tour By Cyclo: $1.79
- Sapa Cat Cat Village, Y Linh Ho Tour By Motorbike Or Walking: $1.87
- Ha Long Bay Cruise Tour with Canoe, Kayaking, Titov Island: $1.87
- Cat Ba National Park & Lan Ha Bay Cruise 2-Day Adventure Tour: $1.87
- Sapa Motorbike Tour: O Quy HO Pass, Waterfall, Cat Cat Village: $1.87
- 2-Day Mai Chau & Pu Luong Adventure: Cycling, Trekking, Rafting: $1.87
- Sapa Motorbike Tour: Cat Cat Village, O Quy Ho Pass, Waterfall: $1.87
- Full-Day Mai Chau Valley Tour from Hanoi with Cycling, Culture: $1.87
- Cat Ba Island & Lan Ha Bay Cruise 2 Day Tour: National Park, Cave: $1.87
- Hanoi City Sightseeing Tour: Train Street, Incense Village: $1.87
- Hanoi Old Quarter Shore Excursion from Halong Port Full-Day Tour: $1.87
- Ninh Binh Private Tour: Tam Coc, Bich Dong, Thung Nham Bird Park: $1.87
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Laos’ Leaders and Legends: A Self-Guided tour of Vientiane: $7.99
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $8.50
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $12
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Explore Vientiane with Lao Art Museum Tour: $61
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $75
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour (Daily Guaranteed): $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHanoi $7.32Vientiane $2.09
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.