A Travel Price Comparison for Vietnam Hue vs. Can Tho for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Hue or Can Tho?

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 Can Tho 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 authentic, ancient, and imperial city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Can Tho

Can Tho is a cultural, unique, and fascinating city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Hue and Can Tho: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hue or Can Tho?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Can Tho. Although Hue and Can Tho are both popular with visitors, Can Tho has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Can Tho is more popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Hue is known for its historical sights. Hue is popular for its imperial buildings and political history as the country's historic capital. Can Tho is popular for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. It is also home to Cai Rang Floating Market.

How is Hue different from Can Tho?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Hue or Can Tho.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Can Tho. The main attraction nearby is Cai Rang Floating Market, but visitors also enjoy seeing Binh Thuy Ancient House, the Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory, Ong pagoda, and Nam Nha Pagoda.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hue and Can Tho.

Dining out in Hue is an experience not to be missed. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Can Tho. It's the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and there are many restaurants with rooftop views and lively atmospheres. The food is local and fresh. Grilled meats, noodle soup, and local produce are all popular. Many visitors come to Cantho specifically to experience the nearby floating markets. You really must sample the many dishes available at the markets, which are unique to the area and offer a whole new approach to street food.

Is Hue or Can Tho Better for Nightlife?

Both Hue and Can Tho 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 Can Tho. The city is very beautiful at night with many colorful lights. There are a number of bars and places for tourists to hang out and socialize.

Is Hue or Can Tho Better for its Old Town?

Hue is great for its old town. However, Can Tho does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Hue. As the former imperial capital, you'll see many temples and historical sites in the city.

Can Tho does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hue or Can Tho?

Can Tho is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Can Tho is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is large with malls and a central market, but most visitors come specifically for the nearby floating markets. These unique markets are best visited by boat. Goods and food are sold out of vendor boats and popular food dishes include noodle soup and local fruits. Each boat has a tall bamboo stick displaying the items that it sells.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Hue. 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.

Is Hue or Can Tho Better for Families?

Can Tho is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Can Tho is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the floating markets and the beautiful Mekong Delta. Most visitors use this growing city as a base for exploring the area, which has a fascinating culture and interesting sights.

Hue is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Hue or Can Tho Better for Couples?

Can Tho is a well-known place for couples. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Can Tho is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can take a romantic evening boat ride on the Mekong Delta. During the morning hours, the floating markets are one of Vietnam's most interesting destinations. You can sample local dishes and experience a completely different way of life.

Hue is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Hue or Can Tho Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Hue and Can Tho are superb destinations for backpackers.

Hue is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Can Tho is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a large city with a number of hostels and many backpackers who pass through during their trip to the floating markets and through the Mekong Delta.

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

Hue is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Can Tho is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Hue offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Cyclos, motorbikes, and local bus are the most common ways to get around the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Can Tho. There are local buses, but many visitors come to this area as part of an organized tour because transportation can be a bit a tricky.

Is Hue or Can Tho a more walkable city?

Hue is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Can Tho is a somewhat walkable city. The city center is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Can Tho or Hue?

How long in Hue or Can Tho?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Hue or Can Tho to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Hue than Can Tho 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 Can Tho.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hue than Can Tho 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 Can Tho?

In Hue, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With nightlife and food around the unique destination of Can Tho, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. 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 Can Tho?

In Hue, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hue has to offer.

Many people visit Can Tho for a weekend. With food and shopping around the fascinating city of Can Tho, there's plenty to do. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Hue or Can Tho?

Hue is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The destination of Can Tho offers shopping and museums. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. 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 Can Tho?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hue. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hue. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Can Tho, a popular city, 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 Sightseeing Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Cultural Tours in Vietnam.

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

Which is Bigger, Hue or Can Tho?

Hue has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Hue and Can Tho, 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 Can Tho?

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 Hue or Can Tho in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hue as well as Can Tho. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Can Tho throughout the year.

Also, March to August in Hue is the dry season. September to December in Hue is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Can Tho. Hue usually gets less rain in July than Can Tho. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hue this time of the year. In the summer, Hue often gets more sunshine than Can Tho. Hue gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Can Tho receives 168 hours of full sun.

In July, Hue is generally around the same temperature as Can Tho. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 29°C (85°F), and Can Tho fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Hue or Can Tho in the Autumn?

Both Can Tho and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Can Tho because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Hue is September to December. The dry season in Can Tho is December to April. The rainy season in Can Tho is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. It's quite rainy in Hue. In October, Hue usually receives more rain than Can Tho. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Hue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Can Tho during autumn. Hue gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Can Tho receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Hue is around the same temperature as Can Tho in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Can Tho fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Hue or Can Tho in the Winter?

Both Can Tho and Hue during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Can Tho year-round.

March to August is the dry season in Hue. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hue. Hue usually gets more rain in January than Can Tho. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Can Tho, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Hue often gets less sunshine than Can Tho. Hue gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Can Tho receives 240 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Hue is cooler than Can Tho. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hue in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Can Tho averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Should I visit Hue or Can Tho in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Can Tho. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Can Tho attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho. Can Tho receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Hue usually receives less rain than Can Tho. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Can Tho this time of the year. In Hue, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hue usually receives less sunshine than Can Tho during spring. Hue gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Can Tho receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hue is generally around the same temperature as Can Tho. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 26°C (80°F), and Can Tho fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Can Tho and Hue