A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hoi An vs. Brussels for Food, Old Town, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Hoi An or Brussels?

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 Brussels. 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. Hoi An is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food. See Hoi An travel costs.

Brussels

Brussels is a historic, cosmopolitan, and authentic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Brussels travel costs.

Hoi An and Brussels: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hoi An or Brussels?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Brussels. Although Hoi An and Brussels are both popular with visitors, Brussels has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Brussels is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Hoi An is known for its food, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Hoi An is more touristy than Brussels and is popular for its peaceful and traditional old town, its unique culinary traditions, and its affordable custom made clothing. Brussels is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also home to La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Hoi An different from Brussels?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Hoi An or Brussels.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Hoi An. 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.

Brussels offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

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

Hoi An is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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).

Brussels has a huge number of terrific restaurants. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

Is Hoi An or Brussels Better for Nightlife?

Brussels is a good destination for nightlife. However, Hoi An is lacking in options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Brussels. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.

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 Brussels Better for Beaches?

Hoi An is a good destination for its beaches. However, Brussels is not a beach destination.

Hoi An offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Brussels is not a beach destination.

Is Hoi An or Brussels Better for its Old Town?

Hoi An is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

The old town of Hoi An is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Hoi An or Brussels?

Shoppers can find a variety of terrific stores in both Hoi An and Brussels.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Hoi An. 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.

The abundance of shops in Brussels make it a world-class shopping destination. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.

Is Hoi An or Brussels More Beautiful?

Hoi An is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Brussels is not a destination known for its beauty.

Hoi An is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The city is beautiful during the day with its traditional architecture, as well as at night when it is lit with lanterns.

Brussels is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hoi An or Brussels Better for Families?

Both Hoi An and Brussels are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Hoi An is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Brussels is a very kid-friendly town. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.

Is Hoi An or Brussels Better for Couples?

Hoi An and Brussels both excellent destinations for a couple.

Hoi An makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Brussels frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

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

Hoi An is renowned for backpackers. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hoi An is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. It's solidly on the backpacker trail, and you'll find many visitors who come for the beautiful culture and fascinating setting.

Many backpackers visit Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.

Is Hoi An or Brussels Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Brussels. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

Hoi An is not popular with students.

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

Brussels is terrific 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.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Brussels can take you anywhere. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

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 Brussels a more walkable city?

Hoi An is renowned for its walkability. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of 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.

Brussels is a very walkable town. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Brussels or Hoi An?

How long in Hoi An or Brussels?

In either Hoi An or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Brussels than Hoi An because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hoi An, and 1-5 days is enough time in Brussels.

Families should spend more time in Hoi An than Brussels. 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 Brussels. 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 Brussels 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 Brussels?

The beautiful town of Hoi An offers food and shopping. 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.

Brussels is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Hoi An or Brussels?

Hoi An is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Hoi An, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Brussels is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Hoi An or Brussels?

Hoi An is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Brussels. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Brussels?

Hoi An 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 town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic big city of Brussels. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium.

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

Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Brussels?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An and Brussels, 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 Brussels?

Brussels 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 Brussels in the Summer?

Both Brussels 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. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

Hoi An is much warmer than Brussels in the summer. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Brussels fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Hoi An. In the summer, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 186 hours of full sun.

Hoi An usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Brussels. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 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 Brussels in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Brussels. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Hoi An is much warmer than Brussels. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hoi An in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Brussels averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Hoi An usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during autumn. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 114 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 Brussels. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hoi An or Brussels in the Winter?

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

Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hoi An is generally much warmer than Brussels. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 22°C (71°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 49 hours of full sun.

Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hoi An usually gets more rain in January than Brussels. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 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 Brussels in the Spring?

Both Brussels 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, most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months.

Hoi An is much warmer than Brussels in the spring. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Brussels fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually receives more sunshine than Brussels during spring. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Brussels. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Brussels and Hoi An