Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Hoi An?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hoi An or Vientiane?
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 Vientiane. 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 Vientiane?
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).
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best G Adventures Tours to Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHoi An $47Vientiane $14
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $47, while the average daily cost in Vientiane 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 Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHoi An $21Vientiane $5.77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHoi An $42Vientiane $12
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An or Vientiane? 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 Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hoi An $19Vientiane $2.00
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:
- Hoi An and Da Nang Airport/City Shuttle Transfer Service: $6.00
- Hue Private Car with Driver for Customizable Tour & Transfer: $7.61
- From Hoi An/Da Nang: Shuttle Bus Transfer to My Son: $9.00
- From One-Way Shared Bus Transfer to Da Nang: $9.08
- Coconut River Basket Boat Tour with Transfer: $12
- Water Coconut Jungle Eco Tour with Hotel Transfer: $13
- Hoi An : Coconut Basket Boat Rides with Two-way Transfers: $13
- Hoi An : Cam Thanh Basket Boat Riding W Two-way Transfers: $14
- Bamboo Basket Boat Tour with Traditional meal and transfer: $14
- Da Nang/Shuttle Bus Transfer to My Son Sanctuary: $16
- Da Nang City: Private Transfer to/from Hoi An City: $19
- Da Nang Airport: Private Transfer to/from Hoi An City: $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $29
- Vientiane Private Airport and Hotel Transfers: $9.00
- Vientiane Airport Transfer: Wattay airport to hotel - Private transfer: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Private Transfer in Laos: $5.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Hoi An or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane 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 $10Vientiane $6.06
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 Walking food tour: $2.54
- Hoi An Private Cooking Class & Coracle Tour Fishing Crabbing: $4.65
- Hoi An:Traditional Cooking Class with Cam Thanh Local Family: $21
- Hoi An/Da Nang: Vietnamese Cooking Class with Transportation: $22
- Hoi An Street Food Tour With Bao: $23
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hoi An: $25
- Cooking Class with Traditional Vietnamese Meals: $25
- Vegetarian Cooking Class w Local Family and transfer: $25
- Tra Que Herb Village Cooking Class: $25
- Authentic Cooking Class with Locals in Tra Que Herbs Village: $25
- Hoi An food tour: $25
- Evening traditional cooking class with local Chef: $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Private Tour to Buddha Park include Evening Food Tour: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hoi An $13Vientiane $3.39
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:
- Hoi An Countryside Bike Tour- Tra Que Village & Basket Boat: $1.27
- Hoi An Ancient Town- Free Walking Tour with Local Guide: $2.11
- Ancient Town Guided Walking Tour: $2.11
- HoiAn Lantern Cruise Private/Sunset/Sunrise/Lighting Lantern: $3.38
- Hoi An Lantern Boat/Folk Song Games/Local Foods-Walking Tour: $4.23
- Basket Boat Tour with Coco Flower Ecotourism: $4.94
- Hoai River Boat Ride & Lantern Release Experience: $6.14
- Basket boat tour at the coconut village: $6.34
- Sights & Highlights Walking tour: $6.64
- Experience Bamboo Basket Boat on Coconut village w Locals: $7.10
- Hoian Old Town - Immersive Free Walking Tour: $8.45
- Hoi An :BamBoo Basket Boat Adventure: $8.45
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Explore Vientiane and Local Villages Biking Tour: $184
- From Hue: Hue to Vientiane Bus tickets: $63
- Full Day Private Tour in Vientiane with Pickup: $147
- Guided Vientiane City and Buddha Park Full-Day Tour: $81
- Half Day Private Tour in City Highlights: $120
- Half-Day Vientiane City Bike Tour: $70
- Private Tour: Full-day Cycling The City Streets Vientiane with Buddha Park: $174
- Private Tour: Full-day Vientiane's Must-See Sights and River Sunset with Lunch: $101
- Private Tour: Half-day City Guided Tour of Vientiane: $113
- Private Tour: Vientiane City Tour Full Day with Buddha Park: $145
- Private Vientiane Tour - Buddha Park included: $100
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHoi An $9.21Vientiane $2.25
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: $8.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Vientiane, we can see that Hoi An is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.
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 Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Vientiane?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An and Vientiane, 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 Vientiane?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Hoi An or Vientiane in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Vientiane. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Also, February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. September to January in Hoi An is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Vientiane. Hoi An usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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 Vientiane. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun.
Hoi An is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the summer. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHoi An 29°C (85°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Vientiane in the Autumn?
Both Vientiane 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. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Hoi An. In October, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Vientiane. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during autumn. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Hoi An is cooler than Vientiane. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hoi An in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Vientiane averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHoi An 25°C (78°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Vientiane in the Winter?
Both Vientiane 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.
February to July is the dry season in Hoi An. September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hoi An. Hoi An usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.
In January, Hoi An is generally around the same temperature as Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 22°C (71°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHoi An 22°C (71°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Vientiane in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Hoi An usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during spring. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. Hoi An is cooler than Vientiane in the spring. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHoi An 26°C (80°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Hoi An
| Hoi An | Vientiane | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.