Which place is cheaper, Vientiane or Hue?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hue or Vientiane?
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 Vientiane 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.
Where Should I go: Hue or Vientiane?
Hue
Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.
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 Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.
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Hue Prices
Vietnam PricesVientiane Prices
Laos Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHue $57Vientiane $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Hue is $57, while the average daily cost in Vientiane is $23. 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 Hue and Vientiane in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHue $22Vientiane $8.12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHue $44Vientiane $16
Compare Hotels in Hue and Vientiane
Looking for a hotel in Hue 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: Hue Hotel Prices and Vientiane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hue $12Vientiane $1.93
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
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Cyclo$0.46
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Short Taxi Ride$0.84
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Taxi Ride to Tombs$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Hue Airport: Private Transfer to/or from Hue City Center: $4.72
- Phu Bai Airport to Hue City: Private Transfer: $5.90
- Transfer from Hue airport to Hue city center or vice versa: $6.81
- Airport Transfer to/from City Center: $7.68
- Shared Car Transfer from Phu Bai Airport to City Center: $9.84
- Hue Car Rental with Driver for Transfer Trip and Sightseeing: $11
- Private Transfer: Hue City Center - Hue Train Station: $11
- HUI: Transfer Phu Bai airport to Hue city center: $11
- From One-Way Shared Bus Transfer to Da Nang: $12
- Phu Bai airport to/from Hue City Center - Private Transfer: $13
- From Hoi An Bus Transfer with 4 Sightseeing Stops: $13
- Privated Hue Airport Transfer-Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$3.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Hue or Vientiane?
Prices for flights to both Vientiane and Hue 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 dayHue $25Vientiane $12
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
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River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.61
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Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.76
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Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.09
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$4.19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.
- VIP Dragon Boat Dinner Cruise on the Perfume River: $18
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $21
- Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Hue City: Cyclo, Market Tour & Cooking Class at Madam Thu: $27
- Home Cooking Class and Dinner with Local Chef in Hue City: $31
- HUE : NIGHT WALKING AND STREET FOOD TOUR: $31
- Hue : Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Guided Local Food Tour with Tastings: $33
- Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Hue : Night Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Home Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Girl: $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $70
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Small-Group Street Food Tour with Tastings: $91
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hue $11Vientiane $3.65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
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Boat Ride$7.42
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.07
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Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.05
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Massage at Institute for the Blind$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hue
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:
- Hue Imperial Ancient City Walking Tour: $2.00
- Eat like a local with a local - Walking Tour: $2.00
- Traditional Singing on Huong River Ticket: $4.03
- Private City Tour By Car - English Speaking Driver: $4.72
- Imperial City Walk, Motorbike Tour & Private Car Options: $7.00
- Palaces, Pagodas, and Train Tracks: A Hidden Huế Audio Tour: $7.99
- City Tour with Driver - Customized Your Own Itinerary: $8.66
- Private City Tour by Car with English-Speaking Driver: $10
- Hue Royal Tombs Tour Visit 3 Best Tombs & Pagoda: $13
- Royal Tombs Private Tour with 3 Best Tombs & Pagoda: $13
- HUE - HOI AN BUS TOUR 4 STOPS VIA HAI VAN PASS: $14
- From Hoi An Guided Bus Tour with 4 Sightseeing Stops: $14
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- The Avenue of a Million Elephants: A Vientiane Self-Guided Tour: $6.99
- Laos’ Leaders and Legends: A Self-Guided tour of Vientiane: $7.99
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $8.50
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $12
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Explore Vientiane with Lao Art Museum Tour: $61
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHue $5.52Vientiane $2.03
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
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Beer$0.95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hue and Vientiane, we can see that Hue 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 Hue would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hue 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 Hue Expensive? and Is Vientiane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hue or Vientiane?
Hue has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Hue 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 Hue or Vientiane?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Hue or Vientiane in the Summer?
Both Vientiane and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hue is March to August. The rainy season in Hue is September to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. In July, Hue usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hue. Hue usually receives more sunshine than Vientiane during summer. Hue gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Hue is around the same temperature as Vientiane. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hue in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Vientiane averages at about 30°C (85°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHue 29°C (85°F)Vientiane 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Hue or Vientiane in the Autumn?
Both Vientiane and Hue during the autumn 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 Vientiane year-round.
September to December is the rainy season in Hue. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hue. Hue usually gets more rain in October than Vientiane. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Hue often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Hue gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun.
In October, Hue is generally cooler than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 25°C (78°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHue 25°C (78°F)Vientiane 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Hue or Vientiane in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Vientiane. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
March to August in Hue is the dry season. Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Hue usually receives more rain than Vientiane. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. Hue usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during winter. Hue gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
Hue is around the same temperature as Vientiane in the winter. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Vientiane fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHue 22°C (71°F)Vientiane 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Hue or Vientiane in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hue as well as Vientiane. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.
Hue usually gets less rain in April than Vientiane. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vientiane. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hue this time of the year. In the spring, Hue often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Hue gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Hue is cooler than Vientiane. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hue in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Vientiane averages at about 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHue 26°C (80°F)Vientiane 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Vientiane and Hue
| Hue | 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.