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

Should you visit Nha Trang or Napier?

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 Napier. 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 high energy, coastal, and resort-filled city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Napier

Napier is a relaxed, character-filled, and coastal town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Nha Trang and Napier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Napier?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Napier than Nha Trang. While Nha Trang is larger than Napier, Napier has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Napier is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, and hiking, while Nha Trang attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling. Nha Trang is more touristy than Napier and is known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Napier is famous for its many art deco buildings, its beautiful vineyards, and the area's long sandy beaches. It is also well known for the art deco architecture.

How is Nha Trang different from Napier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Napier is a great town 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 Napier. Considered an "Art Deco capital", there are many interesting buildings around town and it's worth taking an Art Deco Walk. The National Aquarium of New Zealand is also impressive as is the MTG Hawke's Bay, which is a museum, gallery, and theater in one. For something a little outside the box, you can visit the Napier Prison, which is New Zealand's oldest place of incarceration, dating back to 1862.

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 Napier? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Napier is a great town 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.

Napier has a huge number of terrific restaurants. With its many wineries and big mix of fine dining restaurants, there is plenty for a foodie to enjoy around town. You'll find restaurants that serve up New Zealand favorites as well as those that experiment with modern and trendy recipes.

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 Napier Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Napier is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Napier is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse and fun. Whether you're looking for a wild party or just want to relax with a drink and some friends, there are plenty of places where you can hang out.

Is Nha Trang or Napier Better for Resorts?

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

Nha Trang has a handful of resorts to choose from. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Napier is not a resort destination.

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

Nha Trang is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Napier is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to 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.

Napier is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nha Trang or Napier Better for Beaches?

Napier is very popular for the beache. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

Napier offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. It's a popular beach destination and you'll find plenty of beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and playing with the kids. You'll want to head out of town to find the best and most beautiful beaches. For hidden beaches and some of the area's best surf, head to Mahia Peninsula. To escape the tourists and hang out with the locals, go to Waipatiki Beach. And for a picnic, Westshore Beach is a favorite. Waimarama Beach is another favorite in the area as well.

Nha Trang is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Is Nha Trang or Napier Better for Hiking?

Napier is a great town for hiking. However, Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Napier for the hiking trails. Hawke's Bay is filled with wonderful walks and hikes. There are easy coastal paths as well as mult-day treks around Lake Waikaremoana. It's not hard to find somewhere to stretch your legs and explore the scenery.

Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Napier?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nha Trang and Napier both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nha Trang. 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.

Many visitors go to Napier to go shopping. You'll find all of the standard New Zealand retail chains as well antique and boutique shops. With its many Art Deco buildings, the city has character and personality.

Is Nha Trang or Napier Better for Families?

Both Nha Trang and Napier 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.

Napier is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This coastal city has a waterpark, a waterfall walk, and plenty of beaches where the family can hang out. There's also a waterfront promenade that is filled with water features and playgrounds where the kids can run around. You can also check out Hawke's Bay Farmyard Zoo or on a rainy day head to the Faraday Museum of Technology.

Is Nha Trang or Napier Better for Couples?

Nha Trang and Napier 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.

Napier is a very popular place to visit for couples. Surrounded by vineyards and lined with beaches, this is a great place for a romantic getaway or a honeymoon. Hop on a bike and explore the wineries or enjoy a beautiful hike through nature. There are also adrenaline-filled activities for thrill seekers or fine dining restaurants for the foodies.

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

For backpackers, both Nha Trang and Napier 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.

Napier is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels around town and plenty of fun activities like mountain biking or white water rafting that you can enjoy.

Is Nha Trang or Napier 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, Napier is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Nha Trang has some public transit options. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

Public transit is generally limited in Napier. Public transit to most of the beaches is limited or nonexistent, so you really need a car if you want to get around and see everything.

Is Nha Trang or Napier a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Napier is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Nha Trang is very walkable. 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.

Napier is generally not very walkable. If you stay in town you can walk to cafes and restaurants, but you really need a car if you're planning to visit beaches or explore the area in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Napier or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Napier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nha Trang and Napier. In our opinion, Nha Trang has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nha Trang than Napier. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Nha Trang than Napier. 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.

One day in Nha Trang or Napier?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nha Trang. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Napier. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nha Trang or Napier?

Nha Trang is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Napier. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nha Trang or Napier?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nha Trang. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the character-filled town of Napier. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nha Trang or Napier?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Nha Trang. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Napier is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in New Zealand, and The Best Luxury Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nha Trang and Napier, we can see that Napier is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nha Trang is in Asia and Napier is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Napier would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Napier 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 Napier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Napier?

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