A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hoi An vs. Beijing for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Hoi An or Beijing?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Beijing. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a traditional, quaint, and peaceful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Beijing

Beijing is a massive, jam-packed, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Hoi An and Beijing: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hoi An or Beijing?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Beijing than Hoi An, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Beijing is better known for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities, while Hoi An is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Hoi An is well known for its peaceful and traditional old town, its unique culinary traditions, and its affordable custom made clothing. Beijing is well known for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. Also, Beijing is famous for The Forbidden City.

How is Hoi An different from Beijing?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hoi An or Beijing?

Beijing is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Hoi An is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Beijing from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

Hoi An offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town is like a living museum. It's pedestrian-friendly and filled with beautiful yellow buildings. Highlights of the town include the Phung Hung House, Fukian Assembly Hall, and the Hoi An Museum.

Is the Food Better in Hoi An or Beijing? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hoi An and Beijing.

Eat your way through Hoi An, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The local cuisine is truly unique from the rest of Vietnam. It's considered to be a culinary city with interesting recipes that depend on local ingredients that can't be found outside of the region. Specialty dishes of the city include Cao Lầu (pork and rice noodles), Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings), and Cơm Gà Hoi An (Hoi An chicken rice).

For foodies, Beijing is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

Is Hoi An or Beijing Better for Nightlife?

Beijing is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. However, Hoi An is lacking in options for nightlife and partying.

Beijing has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

Hoi An is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's definitely not your typical backpacker party town, and the city is quietly beautiful in the evening. Many of the bars in the old town close before midnight, but there are some places outside of the area if you're looking for something more lively.

Is Hoi An or Beijing Better for Beaches?

Hoi An is a town with good options for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Hoi An. There is a long stretch of sandy beach in the area, that can be broken into five different sections. Some areas are privately owned, but there is still plenty of public beach to choose from. An Bang Beach is the most developed and popular beach in the area. Coconut Beach is the most luxurious, and Ha My Beach is similar to An Bang, but smaller.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Hoi An or Beijing Better for its Old Town?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Hoi An offers plenty to see. The charming old town is recognizable for its striking yellow color and its many tailor shops. It feels like a living museum, and the evening hours are particularly special with the town's lanterns lighting the way.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hoi An or Beijing?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Hoi An is a world class destination for shoppers. It is considered to be one of the best and most affordable cities in the world for tailor made clothing. Pop in a shop and have your measurements made. You can pick out a design and in a day or two return for your custom made outfit. It's a truly unique shopping experience.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Is Hoi An or Beijing Better for Families?

Hoi An is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Hoi An is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will appreciate the thrill of a visit to Ba Na Hills, which is a theme park with roller coasters, zip lines, and more. Near the city you'll also find ancient ruins, outdoor activities, hands-on classes, and, of course, the impressive old town.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Hoi An or Beijing Better for Couples?

Hoi An is a great destination for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Hoi An frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This charming city has a lot of character and some of Vietnam's best restaurants. The city is also known for its tailor made clothes, so make sure you do some shopping while you're in town.

Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Is Hoi An or Beijing Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hoi An is a very popular town to visit for backpackers. It's solidly on the backpacker trail, and you'll find many visitors who come for the beautiful culture and fascinating setting.

Beijing is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

Is Hoi An or Beijing Better for Students?

Beijing is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Hoi An is not popular with students.

Many students visit Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

Hoi An is not popular with students.

Is Hoi An or Beijing Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Beijing is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Hoi An is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Beijing is fairly effecient and thorough. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

You'll find some public transit in Hoi An, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Biking, taxis, and motorbikes are the most popular ways to explore the area.

Is Hoi An or Beijing a more walkable city?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Getting around Hoi An on foot is easy. There are "walking hours" when motorized vehicles aren't allowed in the old town, and this is a particularly good time to explore on foot.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable town. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Hoi An Worth Visiting? and Is Beijing Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beijing or Hoi An?

How long in Hoi An or Beijing?

Both Hoi An and Beijing have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than in Hoi An. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hoi An, and 3-7 days is enough time in Beijing.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hoi An than Beijing 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 Hoi An.

One day in Hoi An or Beijing?

In Hoi An, you'll find museums and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Beijing is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hoi An or Beijing?

In Hoi An, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hoi An has to offer.

Beijing is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Hoi An or Beijing?

Hoi An is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Hoi An or Beijing?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hoi An. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Hoi An. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Beijing is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hoi An Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Beijing?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An and Beijing, 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 Hoi An or Beijing?

Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hoi An experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hoi An or Beijing in the Summer?

Both Beijing and Hoi An during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hoi An is generally around the same temperature as Beijing. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 29°C (85°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hoi An. In the summer, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Beijing. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 224 hours of full sun.

Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Beijing. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year. February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An.

Should I visit Hoi An or Beijing in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Beijing. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.

Hoi An is much warmer than Beijing in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during autumn. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Hoi An gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Beijing. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hoi An or Beijing in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Beijing. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Beijing. In the winter, Hoi An is much warmer than Beijing. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hoi An in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Beijing averages at about -4°C (26°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. In the winter, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Beijing. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beijing receives 201 hours of full sun.

Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hoi An usually gets more rain in January than Beijing. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season.

Should I visit Hoi An or Beijing in the Spring?

Both Beijing and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Beijing in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Hoi An is generally much warmer than Beijing. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 26°C (80°F), and Beijing fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Beijing. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Beijing during spring. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Beijing receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Beijing. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Beijing receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Beijing and Hoi An