A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hue vs. Koyasan for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Hue or Koyasan?

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 Koyasan 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 cultural, authentic, and ancient city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Koyasan

Koyasan is a spiritual, traditional, and peaceful town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and hiking.

Hue and Koyasan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hue or Koyasan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hue. Although Hue and Koyasan are both popular with visitors, Hue has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hue is more popular for its food, nightlife, and shopping, while Koyasan is known for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Hue is popular for its imperial buildings and political history as the country's historic capital. It is also home to Imperial City. Koyasan is popular for its temple complex, spiritual history, and being the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.

How is Hue different from Koyasan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Koyasan. This spiritual destination is filled with temples. Some of the most notable are Okunoin Temple, Torodo Hall, Kongobuji Temple, Danjo Garan, and Daimon (the Great Gate).

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

Hue is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Hue. 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.

Koyasan is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes in town that serve simple udon noodle dishes and other local options. If you do a temple stay, it will likely include a meal, which is usually vegetarian and prepared by Buddhist monks. A typical menu includes miso soup, soba, pickled vegetables, tofu, tempura vegetables, rice, tea, and melon. Breakfast is similar but smaller in size.

Is Hue or Koyasan Better for Nightlife?

Hue is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Koyasan is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Hue has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koyasan This spiritual town is not a place for nightlife, but it is fascinating to take a night tour of the area.

Is Hue or Koyasan Better for its Old Town?

Both Hue and Koyasan have very good historic old towns worth visiting.

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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Koyasan. The town center is filled with spiritual temples and many people prefer to do a temple stay for a night.

Is Hue or Koyasan Better for Hiking?

Koyasan is a town with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Hue is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Koyasan. Most people arrive by cable car, but this area has been a long running pilgrim destination and you'll find many historic pilgrimage trails that are still in the area. The Koyasan Choishi Michi trail is one of the most well known.

Hue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hue or Koyasan?

Hue is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Hue is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Koyasan is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Hue or Koyasan Better for Families?

Both Hue and Koyasan 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.

Koyasan is a family-friendly city. It's filled with history, so its best to recognize your kid's limits when it comes to that sort of thing. If you're planning to do a temple stay, then consider how your child might handle the situation and make sure you reach out to let them know you have a child before reserving.

Is Hue or Koyasan Better for Couples?

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

Koyasan is a very popular place to visit for couples. A temple stay in Koyasan is a truly unique experience that immerses you in the culture and lifestyle of the area. It's a truly one-of-a-kind experience for couples who like to do things outside of the box.

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 Koyasan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hue is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koyasan is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hue is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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 budget travelers visit Koyasan. It's not your typical backpacker destination and most visitors prefer to experience a temple stay while in the area. If that's not your style, there is a hostel nearby.

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

Both Hue and Koyasan 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.

Koyasan has some public transit options. To get to town you'll take a cable car and then a bus (or taxi, but you can't walk). Once you're in town, almost everything is in the town center and doesn't require transit.

Is Hue or Koyasan a more walkable city?

Hue and Koyasan both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Koyasan is very walkable. Once you reach the town its relatively flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Koyasan or Hue?

How long in Hue or Koyasan?

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

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

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

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.

Koyasan is a small town with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Koyasan?

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 Koyasan for a weekend. Koyasan might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Hue or Koyasan?

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.

Because Koyasan is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Koyasan?

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.

Koyasan, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

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

When is the best time to visit Hue or Koyasan?

Koyasan 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 Koyasan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hue is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 29°C (85°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Hue, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hue usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during summer. Hue gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hue usually receives less rain than Koyasan. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. March to August in Hue is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Hue.

Should I visit Hue or Koyasan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Hue as well as Koyasan. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Koyasan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hue is a little warmer than Koyasan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Hue often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koyasan. Hue gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Hue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hue usually gets more rain in October than Koyasan. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year. September to December in Hue is the rainy season.

Should I visit Hue or Koyasan in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Hue is much warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hue in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Koyasan averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Hue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koyasan during winter. Hue gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Hue. In January, Hue usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Hue is March to August.

Should I visit Hue or Koyasan in the Spring?

Both Koyasan and Hue during the spring 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 spring months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Hue is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 26°C (80°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Hue. In the spring, Hue often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Hue gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun.

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hue usually gets less rain in April than Koyasan. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Hue