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

Should you visit Hue or Sendai?

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 Sendai 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.

Sendai

Sendai is a cosmopolitan, lively, and high energy 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 beaches.

Hue and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hue or Sendai?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sendai than Hue, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sendai is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Hue is known for its food and historical sights. Hue is popular for its imperial buildings and political history as the country's historic capital. Sendai is popular for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. It is also home to the statue of Lord Masamune.

How is Hue different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Sendai. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Sendai 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 Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Hue or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Sendai is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Sendai offers plenty to do in the evening. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Is Hue or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Sendai is a city with good options for the beach. However, Hue is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sendai. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Hue is not a beach destination.

Is Hue or Sendai Better for its Old Town?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Sendai does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Hue to see the historical old town. As the former imperial capital, you'll see many temples and historical sites in the city.

Sendai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hue or Sendai?

Both Hue and Sendai are high quality shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sendai. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

Is Hue or Sendai Better for Families?

Sendai 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.

Sendai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

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 Sendai Better for Couples?

Both Hue and Sendai 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.

Sendai is a nice destination for couples. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

Is Hue or Sendai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai 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.

Sendai is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

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

Sendai is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Sendai offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

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

Is Hue or Sendai a more walkable city?

Hue and Sendai both are high quality 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.

Sendai is very walkable. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Hue?

How long in Hue or Sendai?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hue and Sendai. In our opinion, Sendai has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Sendai than Hue. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hue, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sendai.

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Hue. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With nightlife and food around the lively destination of Sendai, there's plenty to do. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Hue or Sendai?

Hue is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Hue or Sendai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hue. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The destination of Sendai 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 Sendai?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the imperial destination of Hue. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Sendai, 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 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 Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hue or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hue. When comparing the sizes of Hue and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?

Both Sendai 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Sendai because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hue is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 29°C (85°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Hue. In the summer, Hue often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Hue gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun.

Sendai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hue usually gets less rain in July than Sendai. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 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 Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

Hue is much warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Hue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai during autumn. Hue gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sendai 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 Sendai. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Hue.

Should I visit Hue or Sendai in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sendai. In the winter, Hue is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hue in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Hue often gets less sunshine than Sendai. Hue gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

Hue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hue usually gets more rain in January than Sendai. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, March to August in Hue is the dry season.

Should I visit Hue or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai 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, many visitors come to Sendai in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Hue is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 26°C (80°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hue. Hue usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during spring. Hue gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hue usually receives less rain than Sendai. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Hue