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

Should you visit Hoi An or Cromwell?

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 Cromwell. 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 quaint, peaceful, and beautiful town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches.

Cromwell

Cromwell is a historical, cultural, and outdoorsy town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Hoi An and Cromwell: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hoi An or Cromwell?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hoi An. Although Hoi An and Cromwell are popular destinations, Hoi An has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hoi An is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cromwell attracts visitors for its skiing, nightlife, hiking, and small town charm. Hoi An is more touristy than Cromwell and is known for its peaceful and traditional old town, its unique culinary traditions, and its affordable custom made clothing. It is also well known for the Fukian Assembly Hall. Cromwell is famous for its fruit farms, orchards, and vineyards.

How is Hoi An different from Cromwell?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Hoi An or Cromwell Better for Skiing?

Cromwell is a good destination for skiing and snowboarding. However, Hoi An is not a skiing destination.

Cromwell is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. The town isn't far from several ski fields, so it attracts winter sports enthusiasts when the weather gets cold.

Hoi An is not a skiing destination.

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

Hoi An is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cromwell. There are some interesting historical activities around town like Goldfields Mining Centre.

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

Hoi An is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Hoi An have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cromwell area. There are charming cafes and bakeries where you can grab a light meal or snack. There are also quaint restaurants and wineries with nice meals available.

Is Hoi An or Cromwell Better for Nightlife?

Cromwell 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 Cromwell. There are a few breweries and a number of wineries around town where you can have a relaxing night out.

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 Cromwell Better for Beaches?

Hoi An is a town with good options for the beache. However, Cromwell 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.

Cromwell is not a beach destination.

Is Hoi An or Cromwell Better for its Old Town?

Hoi An is very popular for its old town. However, Cromwell does not have a historic old town.

Hoi An has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Cromwell does not have a historic old town.

Is Hoi An or Cromwell Better for Hiking?

Cromwell is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Hoi An is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Cromwell. There are many beautiful walks in the area that take you through diverse landscapes and to impressive views.

Hoi An is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hoi An or Cromwell?

Hoi An is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Hoi An draws large crowds to its stores. 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.

Many visitors go to Cromwell to go shopping. There's a farmers market in town as well as several local vendors and cute shops.

Is Hoi An or Cromwell Better for Families?

Both Hoi An and Cromwell are very good 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.

Cromwell is a very kid-friendly town. The lakefront setting means that there are water activities during the warmer months. There are also ski fields nearby for the winter months. Biking and walking are also popular in the area.

Is Hoi An or Cromwell Better for Couples?

Hoi An and Cromwell both very good 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 Cromwell frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Cycling, walking, kayaking, and skiing all make this a romantic a charming town to visit as a couple. There are also wineries in the area with beautiful vineyards.

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

Hoi An is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Hoi An is extremely popular for backpackers. It's solidly on the backpacker trail, and you'll find many visitors who come for the beautiful culture and fascinating setting.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cromwell. There are a handful of great hostels in the area and plenty of things to keep backpackers entertained.

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

Hoi An is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Cromwell is not known for its public transit.

While Hoi An offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Biking, taxis, and motorbikes are the most popular ways to explore the area.

Public transit is generally limited in Cromwell. Public transit around town is limited to a couple of buses.

Is Hoi An or Cromwell a more walkable city?

Hoi An is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Hoi An is a very easy town to get around on foot. 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.

Cromwell is a somewhat walkable town. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Cromwell or Hoi An?

How long in Hoi An or Cromwell?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Hoi An or Cromwell to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Hoi An than Cromwell because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Hoi An, and 1-2 days is enough time in Cromwell.

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

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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Cromwell. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Hoi An or Cromwell?

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.

Cromwell is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Cromwell?

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 Cromwell. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Hoi An or Cromwell?

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 skiing and nightlife when visiting the historical destination of Cromwell. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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, 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 Hoi An and Cromwell, we can see that Cromwell 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 Cromwell 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 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 Cromwell would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cromwell 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 Cromwell Expensive?.