A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Kobe for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Nha Trang or Kobe?

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 Kobe. 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. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping. See Nha Trang travel costs.

Kobe

Kobe is a under-rated, multicultural, and quaint 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. See Kobe travel costs.

Nha Trang and Kobe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Kobe?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kobe than Nha Trang, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kobe is more popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Nha Trang is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Nha Trang is more touristy than Kobe and is known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts. It is also home to Kobe Harborland.

How is Nha Trang different from Kobe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nha Trang and Kobe.

Nha Trang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kobe. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

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

Kobe 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.

Kobe has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

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 Kobe Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Nha Trang has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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 Kobe. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

Is Nha Trang or Kobe Better for Resorts?

Nha Trang is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Kobe is not a resort destination.

Nha Trang has a few great resort options. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Kobe is not a resort destination.

Is Nha Trang or Kobe Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nha Trang is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Kobe 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.

Kobe is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nha Trang or Kobe Better for Beaches?

Nha Trang is a good destination for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Nha Trang offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Kobe?

Kobe is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Kobe is well-known for its shopping. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

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 Kobe Better for Families?

Nha Trang is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nha Trang. 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.

Kobe is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Is Nha Trang or Kobe Better for Couples?

Nha Trang is great for couples. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Kobe is a nice destination for couples. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Is Nha Trang or Kobe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nha Trang is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

Is Nha Trang or Kobe Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nha Trang and Kobe both offer good public transit to get you around.

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.

Kobe has a few public transit options. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Is Nha Trang or Kobe a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Kobe is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Nha Trang is a very walkable destination. 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.

Kobe is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

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

Should I spend more time in Kobe or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Kobe?

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

Families should spend more time in Nha Trang than Kobe. 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 Kobe. 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 Kobe 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 Kobe?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nha Trang. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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

A weekend in Nha Trang or Kobe?

Nha Trang is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Kobe. 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 Kobe?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Nha Trang. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint city of Kobe. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nha Trang or Kobe?

The high energy city of Nha Trang offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Kobe 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 Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Kobe?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nha Trang. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang and Kobe, 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 Kobe?

Kobe has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nha Trang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Kobe in the Summer?

Both Kobe 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. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kobe this time of year.

In the summer, Nha Trang is around the same temperature as Kobe. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nha Trang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Kobe averages at about 27°C (80°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. In July, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Kobe. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Nha Trang is January to August. The rainy season in Nha Trang is September to December.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Kobe in the Autumn?

Both Kobe 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kobe for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Nha Trang is generally a little warmer than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 26°C (79°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Kobe 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 more rain in October than Kobe. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Kobe in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Kobe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kobe in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nha Trang is much warmer than Kobe in the winter. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Kobe fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In January, Nha Trang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kobe. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Kobe in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nha Trang as well as Kobe. Nha Trang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Kobe for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Nha Trang is much warmer than Kobe. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nha Trang in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Kobe averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Kobe. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in April than Kobe. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kobe and Nha Trang