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

Should you visit Hanoi or Wellington?

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 Wellington 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 fascinating, high energy, and colorful 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. See Hanoi travel costs.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Wellington travel costs.

Hanoi and Wellington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hanoi or Wellington?

You'll generally find more things to do in Hanoi than Wellington. Hanoi is bigger than Wellington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Hanoi is better known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Wellington is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Hanoi is well known for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy. Also, Hanoi is famous for Hoan Kiem Lake. Wellington is well known for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches.

How is Hanoi different from Wellington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hanoi is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Wellington 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Hanoi and Wellington.

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.

Wellington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Is Hanoi or Wellington Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Hanoi and Wellington.

Hanoi is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Many people head to Wellington for the nightlife scene. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Is Hanoi or Wellington Better for Beaches?

Wellington is well known for the beach. However, Hanoi is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Wellington attract visitors from all over. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Hanoi is not a beach destination.

Is Hanoi or Wellington Better for its Old Town?

Hanoi is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Hanoi or Wellington Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Hanoi is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Wellington. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Hanoi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hanoi or Wellington?

Hanoi is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Hanoi draws large crowds to its 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

Is Hanoi or Wellington Better for Families?

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

Wellington is a very kid-friendly city. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

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 Wellington Better for Couples?

Both Hanoi and Wellington are notable 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.

Wellington is a good city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Hanoi or Wellington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Wellington 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.

Wellington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Is Hanoi or Wellington Better for Students?

Hanoi is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Hanoi is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

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

The public transit in Wellington can get you around easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington a more walkable city?

Wellington 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.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wellington or Hanoi?

How long in Hanoi or Wellington?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hanoi and Wellington. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hanoi than in Wellington. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Hanoi, and 2-3 days is enough time in Wellington.

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

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

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

When visiting Hanoi, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Wellington, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this compact destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Wellington?

When visiting Hanoi, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Wellington?

Hanoi, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wellington is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Wellington. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Hanoi or Wellington?

Hanoi is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the compact destination of Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Wellington?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Wellington, 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 Wellington?

Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Wellington. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Hanoi is much warmer than Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hanoi usually gets more rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September in Hanoi is the rainy season.

Should I visit Hanoi or Wellington in the Autumn?

Both Wellington 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, most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Hanoi is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hanoi in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In October, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin April. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Hanoi is November to April.

Should I visit Hanoi or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington 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, the winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Hanoi is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 17°C (63°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Wellington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hanoi usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hanoi or Wellington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

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

Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hanoi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Wellingtonin October. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 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 Wellington and Hanoi