A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ho Chi Minh City vs. Rotorua for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Rotorua can help you decide which place is right for you.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is a cultural, chaotic, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Ho Chi Minh City travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Rotorua travel costs.

Ho Chi Minh City and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ho Chi Minh City than Rotorua. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Ho Chi Minh City is very popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Rotorua attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Ho Chi Minh City is famous for its motorbike-filled streets, bustling markets, world-class cuisine, and diverse shopping opportunities. It is also well known for the War Remnants Museum. Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Ho Chi Minh City different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rotorua and Ho Chi Minh City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua?

Ho Chi Minh City is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Ho Chi Minh City has many famous sights for visitors. It's a day trip outside of town, but the Cu Chi Tunnels are a must-see stop for any visitor. The War Remnants Museum is also a not-to-be-missed spot. Other highlights of the city include Thiên Hau Temple, the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, the Saigon Opera House, and the Reunification Palace.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua Better for Theater?

Ho Chi Minh City is a city with good options for its shows and theatre. However, Rotorua is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Ho Chi Minh City. Water puppetry is a traditional art form that originated in the rural areas and was brought to the city. It is a fun cultural experience that kids and adults both enjoy. You can see it at The Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre.

Rotorua is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ho Chi Minh City is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City have been singled out for their culinary prowess. This city, arguably, has some of the best food in Vietnam. You'll find everything from food stalls selling mouthwatering street food to luxury restaurants preparing traditional dishes with a modern twist. Banh Mi (a Vietnamese sandwich) and Pho (Vietnamese soup) are the most well known dishes around town, but also try the Bún mắm (a noodle dish) and Bún bò Huế (a beef based soup).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Rotorua makes for a great culinary experience. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Ho Chi Minh City is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Ho Chi Minh City has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city never settles down and you'll find all night parties and dance clubs open into the early hours. Backpackers keep the energy high, but there are also luxury clubs and more relaxed places where you can have a good night out if the backpacker thing isn't your scene.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is great for hiking. However, Ho Chi Minh City is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Rotorua for the hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Ho Chi Minh City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua?

Ho Chi Minh City is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Ho Chi Minh City specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with a mix of modern shopping centers and local shops selling traditional items. You'll find international brands as well as uniquely Vietnamese products. The city also has some of the best boutique shopping opportunities in Southeast Asia.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Rotorua is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Ho Chi Minh City is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Rotorua attracts visitors from all around. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Ho Chi Minh City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua Better for Families?

You'll find amazing kid-friendly activities in either Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua.

Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most popular family destinations. Kids may feel overwhelmed at first, but they're sure to fall in love with the energy and kid-friendly activities in this city. There are traditional water puppet shows, kid-friendly restaurants, and fun parks. There's also the Suoi Tien Theme Park, smaller water parks, zoos, and art museums to explore.

Rotorua is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Ho Chi Minh City is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Rotorua has plenty to offer. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Ho Chi Minh City is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you're looking for a vibrant cultural scene with excellent restaurants, great parks, and countless day trips, this is the ultimate couple's getaway.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Ho Chi Minh City and Rotorua are amazing places to visit.

A large number of backpackers visit Ho Chi Minh City, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. It's well established on the Southeast Asian backpacker's circuit and you'll find no shortage of hostels in town. You'll find a good number of backpackers in District 1 of the city, near Ben Thanh Market. Many backpackers also arrange trips to the Mekong Delta or elsewhere in Thailand while they're here.

Rotorua is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua Better for Students?

Ho Chi Minh City is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Rotorua is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Ho Chi Minh City. Study abroad students appreciate the city's energy and plethora of activities. It also makes a good base for trips to other parts of Southeast Asia.

Rotorua is not popular with students.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotorua is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Ho Chi Minh City is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Rotorua offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Public transit is generally limited in Ho Chi Minh City. There are public buses around town but motorbike taxis and regular taxis are likely your best bet for getting around.

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Ho Chi Minh City and Rotorua are nice when it comes to walkability.

Ho Chi Minh City is a somewhat walkable city. In certain neighborhoods it's fairly walkable, but you may have to dodge a motorbike here or there.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

For even more information, also check out Is Ho Chi Minh City Worth Visiting? and Is Rotorua Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Ho Chi Minh City?

How long in Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ho Chi Minh City and Rotorua. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ho Chi Minh City than in Rotorua. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Ho Chi Minh City, and 2-3 days is enough time in Rotorua.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ho Chi Minh City than Rotorua 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 Ho Chi Minh City.

One day in Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua?

Because Ho Chi Minh City is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the world-renowned destination of Rotorua. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua?

Because Ho Chi Minh City is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping and museums around the diverse town of Rotorua. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua?

Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Rotorua is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ho Chi Minh City. Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ho Chi Minh City and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua is more expensive. And not only is Ho Chi Minh City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia and Rotorua 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 Ho Chi Minh City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ho Chi Minh City 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 Rotorua would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotorua than you might in Ho Chi Minh City.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Rotorua?

Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City and Rotorua, 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.