A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hue vs. Atami for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Hue or Atami?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hue and Atami can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Hue

Hue is a imperial, cultural, and authentic city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Atami

Atami is a authentic, overlooked, and nostalgic town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Hue and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hue or Atami?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hue. Although Hue and Atami are both popular with visitors, Hue has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hue is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping, while Atami is known for its beaches. Hue is more touristy than Atami and is popular for its imperial buildings and political history as the country's historic capital. It is also home to Imperial City. Atami is popular for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Hue different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hue or Atami?

Hue is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Hue. It's an ancient city that is filled with many sights from its imperial past. The Imperial City in Hue is the city's most important attraction. Other sights include the Thai Hoa Palace, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Royal Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Hue or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hue is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Hue has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local dishes were once served to the city's emperors, but today you'll find them in restaurants and food stalls. Dishes are either sweet or spicy with lemongrass, basil, chilies, and mint herbs mixed in. Soups and grilled meats are popular such as bun bo hue and nem lui.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Hue or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Both Hue and Atami are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hue. For the best nightlife, many visitors head to the Western Area, particularly around the streets of Pham Ngu Lao, Chu Van An and Vo Thi Sau. Nguyen Dinh Chieu Walking Street is another popular area for nightlife in Hue.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Hue or Atami Better for Beaches?

Atami is a town with good options for the beach. However, Hue is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Atami. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Hue is not a beach destination.

Is Hue or Atami Better for its Old Town?

Hue is a very popular place for its old town. However, Atami does not have a historic old town.

Hue is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. As the former imperial capital, you'll see many temples and historical sites in the city.

Atami does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hue or Atami?

Hue is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Hue is well-known for its shopping. The city has many local markets where you can find traditional and authentic handicrafts. Some of the most interesting things to purchase at the markets include silk paintings, antiques, and lacquerware.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Hue or Atami Better for Families?

Both Hue and Atami are good to visit with kids.

Hue is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the Imperial City, visiting Ho Quyen Arena and Long Chau Temple, or wandering through the city's local markets. The Demilitarized Zone is also an interesting side trip.

Atami is a family-friendly city. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Hue or Atami Better for Couples?

Both Hue and Atami are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Hue is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can enjoy boat rides or sunset cruises along Perfume River. There are also interesting temples and fascinating day trips that you can take from the city.

Atami is a nice destination for couples. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Hue or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hue is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Hue. It is a popular stop over in central Vietnam. There are plenty of hostels and budget guesthouses to accommodate the backpacker crowds. There are also cheap restaurants and interesting activities relating to the city's long history.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Hue or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Hue and Atami offer good public transit options.

Hue has a few public transit options. Cyclos, motorbikes, and local bus are the most common ways to get around the city.

Atami has some public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Hue or Atami a more walkable city?

Hue is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Hue is a very walkable city. Many of the sights can be reached on foot and the city is relatively compact.

Atami is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Hue Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Hue?

How long in Hue or Atami?

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

Families should spend more time in Hue than Atami. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hue, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hue than Atami. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hue that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hue than Atami 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 Hue.

One day in Hue or Atami?

In Hue, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With nightlife and food around the nostalgic destination of Atami, there's plenty to do. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Hue or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hue. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people visit Atami for a weekend. With food and shopping around the authentic town of Atami, there's plenty to do. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Hue or Atami?

Hue is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Hue. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The destination of Atami offers shopping and museums. It offers something for everyone. 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.

A week in Hue or Atami?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Hue. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Atami, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hue and Atami, we can see that Atami is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Atami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atami than you might in Hue.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hue Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hue or Atami?

Hue has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Hue and Atami, 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 Hue or Atami?

Atami has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Hue experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Hue or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Hue during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In July, Hue is generally a little warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 29°C (85°F), and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Hue. In the summer, Hue often gets more sunshine than Atami. Hue gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hue usually gets less rain in July than Atami. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the dry season in Hue. September to December is the rainy season in Hue.

Should I visit Hue or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the shopping scene.

Hue is a little warmer than Atami in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Hue usually receives more sunshine than Atami during autumn. Hue gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hue usually receives more rain than Atami. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Hue.

Should I visit Hue or Atami in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Hue is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hue in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Atami averages at about 5°C (42°F).

In the winter, Hue often gets less sunshine than Atami. Hue gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun.

Hue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hue usually gets more rain in January than Atami. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, March to August in Hue is the dry season.

Should I visit Hue or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches during these months.

In April, Hue is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 26°C (80°F), and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hue. Hue usually receives more sunshine than Atami during spring. Hue gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. In April, Hue usually receives less rain than Atami. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atami and Hue