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

Should you visit Helsinki or Hanoi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Hanoi 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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a nature-focused, coastal, and environmentally conscious city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hanoi

Hanoi is a cultural, historical, and fascinating 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.

Helsinki and Hanoi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Hanoi?

You'll generally find more things to do in Hanoi than Helsinki. Hanoi is bigger than Helsinki, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Hanoi is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Helsinki is more popular for its impressive beauty. Hanoi is more touristy than Helsinki and is popular for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy. Also, Hanoi is famous for Hoan Kiem Lake. Helsinki is well known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

How is Helsinki different from Hanoi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hanoi and Helsinki. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Hanoi?

Hanoi is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Helsinki 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

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

Hanoi is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Hanoi has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Hanoi Better for Nightlife?

Hanoi is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki 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.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Is Helsinki or Hanoi Better for its Old Town?

Hanoi is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Hanoi is revered around 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.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Hanoi?

Hanoi is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Helsinki 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 Helsinki. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Is Helsinki or Hanoi Better for Families?

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

Helsinki is a very kid-friendly city. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

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 Helsinki or Hanoi Better for Couples?

Helsinki is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Helsinki frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

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 Helsinki or Hanoi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Helsinki 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Helsinki. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Is Helsinki or Hanoi Better for Students?

Both Helsinki and Hanoi are great destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

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

Helsinki 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 Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hanoi. The best ways to get around town include motorbike taxis, cyclos, regular taxis, and local buses.

Is Helsinki or Hanoi a more walkable city?

Helsinki and Hanoi are notable when it comes to walkability.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable place. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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 Helsinki Worth Visiting? and Is Hanoi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hanoi or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Hanoi?

In either Helsinki or Hanoi, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Hanoi than Helsinki because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 3-5 days is enough time in Hanoi.

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

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

In Helsinki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this waterfront destination offers. 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.

Hanoi is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Hanoi?

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

Hanoi is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Hanoi?

Helsinki is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Helsinki. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Hanoi is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hanoi, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Hanoi?

You'll find food and shopping around the nature-focused destination of Helsinki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hanoi is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Hanoi, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki is in Europe and Hanoi is in Asia, 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive? and Is Hanoi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Hanoi?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Hanoi, 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 Helsinki or Hanoi?

Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Hanoi in the Summer?

Both Hanoi and Helsinki during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round.

Helsinki is much colder than Hanoi in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Hanoi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Helsinki usually gets less rain in July than Hanoi. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi.

Should I visit Helsinki or Hanoi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Hanoi. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Hanoi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Hanoi averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Hanoi. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Hanoi is the dry season.

Should I visit Helsinki or Hanoi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Hanoi. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Hanoi. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Hanoi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Helsinki usually gets more rain in January than Hanoi. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Hanoi in the Spring?

Both Hanoi and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. Helsinki is much colder than Hanoi in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Hanoi fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Hanoi. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Hanoi is November to April. The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September.

Typical Weather for Hanoi and Helsinki