A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mandalay vs. Can Tho for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mandalay or Can Tho?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Can Tho, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Mandalay or Can Tho?

Mandalay

Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.

Can Tho

Can Tho is the largest city of Vietnam's Mekong Delta, and is best known for its canal network of floating markets, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Buddhist pagodas, and the beauty of the delta, which is illuminated in the evenings.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Vietnam, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam.


Which place is cheaper, Can Tho or Mandalay?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $19, while the average daily cost in Can Tho is $66. 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 Mandalay and Can Tho in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandalay $8.65
    Can Tho $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandalay $17
    Can Tho $52
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Can Tho

Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Can Tho? 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.

Hotels in Mandalay


Hotels in Can Tho


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: Can Tho Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Can Tho $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:

  • 2 Days in Mandalay Region, 3 Night in Monywa and 4 Days to transfer Bagan: $260
  • From Mandalay To Kalaw-NyaungShwe-Inle Lake Private Transfer: $230
  • Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $180
  • Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $180
  • Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
  • Bagan Land Transfer form Mandalay: $103
  • Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
  • Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Can Tho

Also for Can Tho, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • PRIVATE CAR: Can Tho AIRPORT CanTho Hotels (one way transfer): $30
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Can Tho (VCA) Airport: $51
  • Private Transfer from Can Tho City to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $121
  • Private Transfer from Vinh Long to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport: $114
  • Private Transfer: Can Tho Airport to/from Can Tho City Center: $44
  • Private Transfer: Can Tho To Ho Chi Minh City/Ho Chi Minh Airport: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Can Tho?

Prices for flights to both Can Tho and Mandalay 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mandalay $10
    Can Tho $28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.

  • Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
  • Bamboo Bike Food Tour: $42
  • Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45

Typical Food Prices in Can Tho

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Can Tho:


  • Restaurant Dinner (for Two)
    $4.94
  • Coconut
    $0.27
  • Mango
    $1.03
  • Hot Pot Dinner (for Two)
    $6.61
  • Two Vietnamese Iced Coffees
    $0.61
  • Casual Lunch (for One)
    $2.66

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Can Tho

For Can Tho, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Boat tour on Mekong river see the sunset, small canal, Vegan dinner, street food: $29
  • Walking Food Tour in Can Tho: $32
  • Explore Can Tho City tour combine Local Food tour - in afternoon: $35
  • Can Tho Cooking Class in the countryside - Vegetarian available: $35
  • Street food tour back of the bike in Can Tho: $39
  • Full-Day Experience in Mekong Cycling and Authentic Home Cooking: $60

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Can Tho $16

Tours and Activities in Mandalay

Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Kayah Villages Full Day Tour (Pan Pet & Hta Nee La): $260
  • 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
  • A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
  • Amarapura,Mingun,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $110
  • Amarapura,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $95
  • Amarapura,Sagging,Innwa/Ava Sightseeing: $75
  • Ancient Cities, Pagodas, and Sunset Tour from Mandalay: $194
  • Day Trip Tour From Mandalay To Pyin Oo Lwin: $130
  • Full Day Adventure: $153
  • Full day Adventure Trip in Mandalay & Amarapura: $61
  • Half day to Mandalay city tour: $88
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $82

Typical Entertainment Prices in Can Tho

For Can Tho, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Sunset Boat Ride
    $1.90
  • Half Day Floating Market Tour
    $7.98

Tours and Activities in Can Tho

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Can Tho.

  • Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursion Private Tour From Phu My Port: $1.87
  • Floating Market & Hidden Canals – Small Group Morning Boat Tour: $28
  • Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market 5-Hours Tour: $30
  • Can Tho Countryside Bike Tour with Fruit Garden Visit: $30
  • Bicycle Tour Through Peaceful Villages: $37
  • Premium Can Tho Small Canal Tour in Mekong Delta: $45
  • Tour for Nature lover- Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve in Can Tho: $45
  • Son Islet Experiences: $45
  • Cycling in Village-Fruit Garden-Experience Local Ferry: $47
  • Rural and Tropical Island Tour at Can Tho: $48
  • Mekong Delta and Cai Rang Floating Market Explorer Tour: $50
  • Can Tho Sunset Tour: $51

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandalay -
    Can Tho $6.27

Typical Alcohol Prices in Can Tho

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Can Tho from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $3.04


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Can Tho, we can see that Can Tho is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mandalay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandalay 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 Mandalay.

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


Which is Bigger, Mandalay or Can Tho?

Mandalay has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Mandalay 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.