A Travel Price Comparison for Vietnam Nha Trang vs. Can Tho for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Nha Trang or Can Tho?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Nha Trang and Can Tho. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a resort-filled, vibrant, and high energy city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Can Tho

Can Tho is a unique, fascinating, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Nha Trang and Can Tho: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Can Tho?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Can Tho than Nha Trang, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Can Tho is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Nha Trang is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Nha Trang is more touristy than Can Tho and is known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Can Tho is well known for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. Also, Can Tho is famous for Cai Rang Floating Market.

How is Nha Trang different from Can Tho?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Can Tho and Nha Trang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nha Trang or Can Tho?

Can Tho is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Nha Trang. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife in the area, there are also several cultural sights worth visiting. Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and XQ Historical Village are all interesting to visit. If you're looking for a thrill, also nearby is Vinpearl Land.

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

Can Tho is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Can Tho has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Nha Trang area. Seafood is the most common option in many restaurants. You'll find local curries and spring rolls on many menus. Fish sauce is often served with dishes and many recipes have a sweet flavor. If you need a break from Vietnamese food, there are also restaurants that serve pizza, burgers, and other common international dishes.

Is Nha Trang or Can Tho Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Nha Trang is a world class party destination. The nightlife scene is varied and caters to all types of travelers. There are glamorous rooftop bars and lounges, beachside parties, and booze cruises that cater to the backpacker crowd. The city is big enough to have options for everyone.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Nha Trang or Can Tho Better for Resorts?

Nha Trang is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Can Tho is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nha Trang makes a nice vacation spot. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Can Tho is not a resort destination.

Is Nha Trang or Can Tho Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nha Trang is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Can Tho is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Nha Trang. Snorkeling is a bit tricky here, because you need to visit during the right season and you'll need to hop on a tour to get to the best spots. If you're lucky you'll have good visibility and see some interesting marine life.

Can Tho is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nha Trang or Can Tho Better for Beaches?

Nha Trang is very good for the beache. However, Can Tho is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Nha Trang to enjoy the beach. The accessible beaches are very developed and filled with vacationers who are looking for fun activities. The sands are white and soft and the water is comfortable and fun to splash around in.

Can Tho is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Can Tho?

Can Tho is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Can Tho draws large crowds to its stores. 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.

Many visitors go to Nha Trang to go shopping. There are some local street markets that are fun to explore. There are also the typical shops and supermarkets that sell local produce, souvenirs, and any other essentials that you may have forgotten.

Is Nha Trang or Can Tho Better for Families?

Both Nha Trang and Can Tho are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Nha Trang is very family-friendly. While it is known among the backpacker crowds for its party scene, there are also great beaches and many activities for families. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park in the area that has rides and shows. There's also Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda, which are both interesting to visit. The beaches also make a great playground for kids who enjoy building sand castles and playing in the shallow water.

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.

Is Nha Trang or Can Tho Better for Couples?

Nha Trang and Can Tho both high quality destinations for a couple.

Nha Trang is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

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.

Is Nha Trang or Can Tho Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nha Trang and Can Tho are high quality places to visit.

Many backpackers visit Nha Trang. Backpackers looking for a party head to the streets around Biệt Thự Street. There are many cheap hostels and guesthouses in the area, and you won't be far from the area's best nightlife.

Can Tho is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Nha Trang or Can Tho Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

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 Nha Trang or Can Tho a more walkable city?

Nha Trang 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.

Nha Trang is a very walkable city. The city is compact enough that you can explore many parts on foot. Most of the attractions are near the intersection of Tran Phu and Biet Thu.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Can Tho or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Can Tho?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nha Trang or Can Tho to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nha Trang than Can Tho because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nha Trang, and 1-2 days is enough time in Can Tho.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang.

One day in Nha Trang or Can Tho?

In Nha Trang, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Can Tho. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Can Tho has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nha Trang or Can Tho?

In Nha Trang, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nha Trang has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Can Tho. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nha Trang or Can Tho?

Nha Trang is a great place to explore. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the unique city of Can Tho. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nha Trang or Can Tho?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nha Trang. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nha Trang. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Can Tho is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best 10-Day Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Hanoi.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Can Tho?

Nha Trang has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang 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 Nha Trang or Can Tho?

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 Nha Trang or Can Tho in the Summer?

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

The dry season in Nha Trang is January to August. The rainy season in Nha Trang is September to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. In July, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Can Tho. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Can Tho in the summer. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Can Tho fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Can Tho in the Autumn?

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

September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang. December to April is the dry season in Can Tho. May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho. Can Tho gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nha Trang. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in October than Can Tho. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Can Tho. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nha Trang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Can Tho averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Can Tho in the Winter?

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

January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. In January, Nha Trang usually receives more rain than Can Tho. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In January, Nha Trang is generally around the same temperature as Can Tho. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 24°C (75°F), and Can Tho fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Should I visit Nha Trang or Can Tho in the Spring?

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

Also, December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. May to November in Can Tho is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Can Tho. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in April than Can Tho. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Nha Trang is cooler than Can Tho in the spring. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Can Tho fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Can Tho and Nha Trang