Which place is cheaper, Sado or Hoi An?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Hoi An and Sado. 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 is a peaceful, beautiful, and traditional town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.
Sado is a traditional, cultural, and off-the-beaten-path island. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and museums.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Hoi An. Although Hoi An and Sado are both popular with visitors, Hoi An has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hoi An is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Sado is known for its hiking. Hoi An is more touristy than Sado and is popular for its peaceful and traditional old town, its unique culinary traditions, and its affordable custom made clothing. It is also home to the Fukian Assembly Hall. Sado is popular for its beautiful scenery, traditional culture, and population of endangered crested ibis.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sado and Hoi An. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Hoi An or Sado.
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.
Sado offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The former gold mines are open to the public and fascinating to explore. For a traditional town, head to Shukunegi, which has narrow alleys and historic homes. Also worth a visit is the Sado History Museum.
Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its restaurants.
For foodies, Hoi An is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).
Sado has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find great seafood including crab, tuna, and prawns. There are also fresh vegetables, rice, and other typical Japanese ingredients in the area.
Hoi An is a moderate town for nightlife. However, Sado is a mediocre island for nightlife and partying.
Most people don't head to Hoi An specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. 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.
Sado doesn't offer many options. This is a quiet island and doesn't have much in the form of nightlife.
Hoi An is a popular place for its beaches. However, Sado is not a beach destination.
Hoi An is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.
Sado is not a beach destination.
Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Sado 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.
Sado does not have a historic old town.
Sado 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 Sado. There is wonderful hiking on the island. Head to the Osado Mountain Range for wildflowers and spectacular views and scenery.
Hoi An is not a hiking destination.
Hoi An is an unbeatable place for shopping. However, Sado is a mediocre island for its shopping opportunities.
Hoi An is a famous shopping destination with plenty of 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.
If you're looking to go shopping, Sado has some nice offerings. You'll find shops where you can pick up any necessities that you may have forgotten. There are also souvenir shops where you can find local items to remember your trip.
Hoi An is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Hoi An is 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.
Sado is a family-friendly town. The former gold mines are fascinating and open to the public. There are also parks and interesting wildlife such as the Japanese ibis that you can see.
Hoi An is notable for romance. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its romantic activities.
Hoi An is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.
Sado makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area's history and nature make it a unique place for a couple's trip. There are museums, and outdoor spaces that you visit as well as the interesting mines.
Hoi An is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Sado is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit 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.
Sado is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels as well as guesthouses that backpackers can stay at while they're in town.
Hoi An is a popular place for its public transit. However, Sado is a mediocre island for times when you don't have a car.
Hoi An has a few public transit options. Biking, taxis, and motorbikes are the most popular ways to explore the area.
Public transit is quite limited in Sado. There are no trains on the island and the bus routes are infrequent and slow. You really must have a car to explore the area.
Hoi An is an unbeatable place for its walkability. However, Sado is a mediocre island for its high level of walkability.
It is easy to get around Hoi An 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.
Sado is not a very walkable town. The island isn't particularly walkable, so you'll want to have a vehicle to explore.
For even more information, also check out Is Hoi An Worth Visiting? and Is Sado Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hoi An and Sado. In our opinion, Hoi An has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hoi An than Sado. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Hoi An than Sado. 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 Sado. 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 Sado 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.
Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Hoi An. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Sado. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Hoi An is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Sado 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.
You'll find shopping and museums around the traditional destination of Hoi An. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sado. 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.
The beautiful town of Hoi An offers museums and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.
Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the traditional destination of Sado. This island 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, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $46, while the average daily cost in Sado is $62. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hoi An and Sado in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An or Sado? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Sado and Hoi An change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Hoi An, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Hoi An:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Sado, we can see that Sado 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 Sado would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sado 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 Sado Expensive?.
Sado has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hoi An experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
The summer brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Sado. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Sado for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Hoi An is a little warmer than Sado in the summer. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hoi An this time of the year. In the summer, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Sado. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sado. Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Sado. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 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.
Both Sado and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Sado in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Hoi An is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hoi An in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Sado averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Hoi An usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sado during autumn. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. It's quite rainy in Hoi An. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Sado. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Sado and Hoi An during the winter 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, most visitors come to Sado for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Sado can be very cold during winter. In January, Hoi An is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 22°C (71°F), and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Hoi An often gets more sunshine than Sado. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun.
Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets less rain in January than Sado. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 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.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Sado. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round.
Hoi An is much warmer than Sado in the spring. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives more sunshine than Sado during spring. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.
Sado receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Sado. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Hoi An | Sado | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |