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

Should you visit Hoi An or Matsue?

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 Matsue. 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Matsue

Matsue is a peaceful, pretty, and serene town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Hoi An and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hoi An or Matsue?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hoi An. Although Hoi An and Matsue are popular destinations, Hoi An has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hoi An is more touristy than Matsue and is popular 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. Matsue is famous for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Hoi An different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Hoi An or Matsue.

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.

Matsue offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

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

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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).

Matsue has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Is Hoi An or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Both Hoi An and Matsue have reasonable vibes after the sun sets.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Hoi An. 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.

Matsue is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Hoi An or Matsue Better for Beaches?

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

Matsue is not a beach destination.

Is Hoi An or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Matsue has an old town worth visiting. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hoi An or Matsue?

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

The abundance of shops in Hoi An make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Hoi An or Matsue Better for Families?

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

Hoi An is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Hoi An or Matsue Better for Couples?

Hoi An is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Matsue is a good town for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Hoi An. 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 Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

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

Matsue 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 Matsue is fairly effecient and thorough. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

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 Matsue a more walkable city?

Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Matsue is a very walkable destination. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

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

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Hoi An?

How long in Hoi An or Matsue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hoi An and Matsue. In our opinion, Hoi An has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hoi An than Matsue. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Hoi An. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Matsue. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hoi An or Matsue?

Hoi An 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.

Matsue 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 Matsue?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hoi An. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Hoi An. This town 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quiet destination of Matsue. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Matsue, we can see that Matsue 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 Matsue would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Matsue 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 Matsue Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Matsue?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

Matsue 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 Matsue in the Summer?

Both Matsue 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 Matsue because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hoi An is a little warmer than Matsue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hoi An in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Matsue averages at about 25°C (78°F).

In Matsue, 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 Matsue. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Matsue. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 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 Matsue in the Autumn?

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

In October, Hoi An is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 25°C (78°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Matsue during autumn. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hoi An gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Matsue. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hoi An or Matsue in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Matsue. Hoi An is much warmer than Matsue in the winter. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hoi An usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 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 Matsue in the Spring?

Both Matsue 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 Matsue in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Hoi An is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hoi An in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Matsue averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during spring. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In April, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Matsue. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Hoi An