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

Should you visit Nha Trang or Sendai?

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 Sendai. 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sendai

Sendai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and lively city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Nha Trang and Sendai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Sendai?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sendai than Nha Trang. Sendai is bigger than Nha Trang, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Sendai is better known for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Nha Trang is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling. Nha Trang is more touristy than Sendai and is known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Sendai is well known for the Tanabata Festival, which is the largest of its kind and held every August. Also, Sendai is famous for the statue of Lord Masamune.

How is Nha Trang different from Sendai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sendai 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 Sendai. The city grew up as a castle town, and today the castle ruins are a popular tourist destination. A park surrounds the area, Aobayama Park, and while only the stonewalls remain, you can visit the Sendai City Museum in the park as well. Zuihoden Temple is another landmark worth visiting, as is the AER observation terrace.

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 Sendai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Nha Trang and Sendai offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Nha Trang has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sendai area. There are a number of local specialties in the area and if you're an adventurous eater, then this is your place. Many of the dishes are influenced by the city's proximity to the ocean. Make sure you try the harako-meshi (rice with fish eggs), sea squirts, and sashimi. Another local favorite is beef tongue.

Is Nha Trang or Sendai Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Nha Trang is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

The people in Sendai know how to have a good time. Head to Kokubuncho for the best nightlife scene in the area. This downtown neighborhood is filled with bars, clubs, and karaoke that come alive in the evening. For live music, check out Rensa, which is one of the city's largest live music venues.

Is Nha Trang or Sendai Better for Resorts?

Nha Trang is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Sendai 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.

Sendai is not a resort destination.

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

Nha Trang is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sendai 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.

Sendai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nha Trang or Sendai Better for Beaches?

Nha Trang and Sendai both offer notable beaches.

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.

Sendai is a good option for a beach vacation. There are a number of beaches in the area, but for the best options you'll want to head a bit out of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Sendai?

Sendai 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.

Sendai is well-known for its shopping. You'll find shopping arcades in the downtown area like Ichibancho, which is one of the most popular shopping districts in the city. If you head out of town towards the suburbs, you'll find malls and other outlet stores.

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 Sendai Better for Families?

Both Nha Trang and Sendai are great 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.

Sendai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of green spaces that kids will enjoy including parks and playgrounds. There are also kid-focused museums like the Anpanman Children's Museum and the 3M Sendai City Science Museum. If the young ones really need a break from the history, you can check out Yagiyama Beny Land.

Is Nha Trang or Sendai Better for Couples?

Nha Trang is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Nha Trang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

Sendai is a good city for couples to visit. The city boasts beautiful temples as well as nice natural areas, parks, and gardens. If you have time to get out of town, Okama is a volcanic lake that is one of the most beautiful spots in the region, and well worth the excursion.

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

Nha Trang is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sendai is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

Sendai is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels around the town and many of the activities are free as they involve strolling through parks or wandering down shopping streets.

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

Sendai is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Sendai can get you to some places easily. There are two subway lines the north-south Namboku Line and the east-west Tozai Line. These lines cross at Sendai Station.

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

Is Nha Trang or Sendai a more walkable city?

Nha Trang and Sendai are great when it comes to walkability.

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.

Sendai is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of the city that are walkable, especially around Sendai Station as well as in the Chuo-dori arcade and the the Kokubuncho neighborhood.

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

Should I spend more time in Sendai or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Sendai?

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

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

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 city of Sendai. 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 Sendai?

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 vibrant destination of Sendai. 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 Sendai?

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 lively city of Sendai. 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 Sendai?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the resort-filled 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.

Sendai 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 Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nha Trang. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Nha Trang is a little warmer than Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Sendai. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nha Trang as well as Sendai. Nha Trang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Sendai because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Nha Trang is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nha Trang in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Nha Trang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nha Trang usually gets more rain in October than Sendai. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year. September to December in Nha Trang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

It's quite cold in Sendai in the winter. In January, Nha Trang is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 24°C (75°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In January, Nha Trang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sendai. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Nha Trang is January to August.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai and Nha Trang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Nha Trang is much warmer than Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Nha Trang usually gets less rain in April than Sendai. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Nha Trang