Which place is cheaper, Vang Vieng or Hoi An?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hoi An or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng. 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.
Where Should I go: Hoi An or Vang Vieng?
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHoi An $47Vang Vieng $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $47, while the average daily cost in Vang Vieng is $14. 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 Vang Vieng in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHoi An $21Vang Vieng $4.16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHoi An $42Vang Vieng $8.32
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Vang Vieng
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An or Vang Vieng? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hoi An Hotel Prices and Vang Vieng Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hoi An $19Vang Vieng $3.05
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.94
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Transfer to Hue with Photo Stops: $90
- Hoi An:Private transfer To/From Hue with Sightseeing: $72
- Hai Van Pass & Ba Na Hills: Car Transfer Hue to/from Hoi An: $69
- My Son Sanctuary & Hai Van Pass: Transfer Hoi An to/from Hue: $68
- Private Transfer To Hue via My Son Sanctuary & More: $64
- Lady Buddha in Monkey Mountain: Transfer Hue to/from Hoi An: $59
- Da Nang: Private Car Rental with Driver for Tours & Transfer: $53
- Hue Transfer with Scenic Route over The Hai Van Pass: $53
- Hue: Transfer to/from Hoi An by Private Car via Hai Van Pass: $49
- Private Transfer To My Son Sanctuary From Hoi An or Da Nang: $47
- Private Transfer From Hue To Hoi An With A Sightseeing Tour: $44
- Da Nang/Market & Old Town Private Tour with Transfer: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Hoi An or Vang Vieng?
Prices for flights to both Vang Vieng 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHoi An $10Vang Vieng $6.05
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$14
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.06
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$8.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hoi An Private Cooking Class & Coracle Tour Fishing Crabbing: $4.66
- Hoi An:Traditional Cooking Class with Cam Thanh Local Family: $21
- Hoi An/Da Nang: Vietnamese Cooking Class with Transportation: $22
- Traditional Cooking Class & meal w Cam Thanh Family: $22
- Traditional Vietnamese Cooking Class in Leina Cookery: $24
- Experience Tra Que Cooking Class with Locals in Herb Village: $25
- Traditional Cooking Class with Local Family in Hoi An: $25
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hoi An: $25
- Cooking Class + basket boat (free transfer in Hoian): $25
- Authentic Cooking Class with Locals in Tra Que Herbs Village: $25
- From Cooking Class at Organic Farm: $25
- Hoi An food tour: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hoi An $13Vang Vieng $4.67
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$151
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Short Boat Ride$1.63
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3-Hour Sunrise or Sunset Photography Tour in Hoi An: $59
- Afternoon Tour with My Son Holyland & Rice Paper Making: $39
- Amazing My Son Holyland Sunset Tour: $30
- Amazing My Son Sunset & River Cruise Tour From Hoi An/DaNang: $28
- Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Private Tour: $121
- Basket Boat Experience: $13
- Big Experiences Water Wheel Tour - Tra Que Island: $58
- Bike and Bite Tour: $42
- CHAM ISLAND SIGHTSEEING AND SNORKELING TOUR: $39
- Cam Thanh Bike Tour from Hoi An: $90
- Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle Eco Tour From Hoi An: $30
- Cam Thanh: Coconut Basket Boat and Enjoy Free Coconut Ticket: $4.10
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Discover Vang Vieng Private Tour- Trekking, Kayaking and Caving: $102
- Full Day Private Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave Tour: $161
- Half-Day Nam Song River Kayak Tour with Zipline or Tham None: $27
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang: $50
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $39
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $35
- Vang Vieng Tour A - Blue lagoon 3 with Caves and Zipline: $110
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $50
- Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour: $120
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHoi An $9.21Vang Vieng $1.09
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.75
Sample the Local Flavors in Hoi An
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Hoi An:
- Pub Crawl by Bus with Shots at Each Bar: $8.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Vang Vieng, we can see that Hoi An is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Hoi An would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hoi An than you might in Vang Vieng.
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 Vang Vieng Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Vang Vieng?
Hoi An has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An and Vang Vieng, 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 Vang Vieng?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Hoi An or Vang Vieng in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Vang Vieng. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. Also, September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. In July, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Vang Vieng. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives more sunshine than Vang Vieng during summer. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Hoi An is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 29°C (85°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHoi An 29°C (85°F)Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Vang Vieng. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.
Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hoi An usually gets more rain in October than Vang Vieng. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Vang Vieng. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 222 hours of full sun.
Hoi An is around the same temperature as Vang Vieng in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHoi An 25°C (78°F)Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Vang Vieng in the Winter?
Both Vang Vieng and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hoi An is February to July. The rainy season in Hoi An is September to January. It's quite rainy in Hoi An. In January, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Vang Vieng. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Vang Vieng during winter. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Hoi An is cooler than Vang Vieng. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hoi An in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHoi An 22°C (71°F)Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Vang Vieng in the Spring?
Both Vang Vieng and Hoi An during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hoi An usually gets less rain in April than Vang Vieng. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hoi An. In the spring, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Vang Vieng. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 230 hours of full sun.
In April, Hoi An is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 26°C (80°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHoi An 26°C (80°F)Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Hoi An
| Hoi An | Vang Vieng | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.