A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Hue for Couples, Food, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Similan Islands or Hue?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Hue can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a idyllic, remote, and spectacular island chain. You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Hue

Hue is a imperial, cultural, and authentic city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Hue travel costs.

Similan Islands and Hue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Hue?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hue. Although Similan Islands and Hue are both popular with visitors, Hue has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hue is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Similan Islands is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Hue is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its imperial buildings and political history as the country's historic capital. It is also home to Imperial City. Similan Islands is popular for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Hue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hue and Similan Islands. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Hue?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Hue. It's an ancient city that is filled with many sights from its imperial past. The Imperial City in Hue is the city's most important attraction. Other sights include the Thai Hoa Palace, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Royal Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Hue? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Hue has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local dishes were once served to the city's emperors, but today you'll find them in restaurants and food stalls. Dishes are either sweet or spicy with lemongrass, basil, chilies, and mint herbs mixed in. Soups and grilled meats are popular such as bun bo hue and nem lui.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Similan Islands area. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

Is Similan Islands or Hue Better for Nightlife?

Hue is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Hue. For the best nightlife, many visitors head to the Western Area, particularly around the streets of Pham Ngu Lao, Chu Van An and Vo Thi Sau. Nguyen Dinh Chieu Walking Street is another popular area for nightlife in Hue.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Hue Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is terrific for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Hue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Similan Islands is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

Hue is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Hue Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is terrific for the beach. However, Hue is not a beach destination.

Similan Islands is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Hue is not a beach destination.

Is Similan Islands or Hue Better for its Old Town?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Similan Islands does not have a historic old town.

Hue is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. As the former imperial capital, you'll see many temples and historical sites in the city.

Similan Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Similan Islands or Hue Better for Hiking?

Similan Islands is a island chain with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Hue is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Similan Islands. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Hue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Hue?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Hue is well-known for its shopping. The city has many local markets where you can find traditional and authentic handicrafts. Some of the most interesting things to purchase at the markets include silk paintings, antiques, and lacquerware.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Hue More Beautiful?

Similan Islands is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Hue is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. The remote setting makes this one of the few truly pristine places left to explore. In addition to the white sand and blue water, the undersea world here is spectacular.

Hue is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Similan Islands or Hue Better for Families?

Both Similan Islands and Hue are good to visit with kids.

Similan Islands is a family-friendly island chain. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Hue. Kids will enjoy exploring the Imperial City, visiting Ho Quyen Arena and Long Chau Temple, or wandering through the city's local markets. The Demilitarized Zone is also an interesting side trip.

Is Similan Islands or Hue Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is terrific for couples. Also, Hue is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Similan Islands is a great island chain for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

Hue is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy boat rides or sunset cruises along Perfume River. There are also interesting temples and fascinating day trips that you can take from the city.

Is Similan Islands or Hue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Hue. It is a popular stop over in central Vietnam. There are plenty of hostels and budget guesthouses to accommodate the backpacker crowds. There are also cheap restaurants and interesting activities relating to the city's long history.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

Is Similan Islands or Hue Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hue is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Hue has some public transit options. Cyclos, motorbikes, and local bus are the most common ways to get around the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Is Similan Islands or Hue a more walkable city?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Hue is a very walkable city. Many of the sights can be reached on foot and the city is relatively compact.

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable island chain. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Hue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hue or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Hue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Similan Islands and Hue. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Similan Islands than in Hue. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 1-3 days is enough time in Hue.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hue than Similan Islands 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 Hue.

One day in Similan Islands or Hue?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the spectacular destination of Similan Islands, there's plenty to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

The ancient destination of Hue offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Hue?

Many people visit Similan Islands for a weekend. With scuba diving and snorkeling and food around the idyllic island chain of Similan Islands, there's plenty to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

The city of Hue offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Similan Islands or Hue?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Similan Islands, there's plenty to do. Many people spend five days here. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Hue is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Hue?

Similan Islands, a popular island chain, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for one week. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hue. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Cultural Tours in Vietnam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Hue, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands than you might in Hue.

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Hue?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Hue in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Hue. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year.

June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season. Also, March to August in Hue is the dry season. September to December in Hue is the rainy season. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Hue. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Hue receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hue. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the summer, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Hue. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hue receives 242 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Hue. Typically, the summer temperatures in Similan Islands in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Hue averages at about 29°C (85°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Hue in the Autumn?

Both Hue and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May. The rainy season in Hue is September to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hue. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Hue. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Hue receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Hue during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Hue receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Hue. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (81°F), and Hue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Hue in the Winter?

Both Hue and Similan Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round.

March to August is the dry season in Hue. Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Similan Islands usually gets less rain in January than Hue. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Hue receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Hue. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hue receives 136 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands is a little warmer than Hue in the winter. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Hue fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Hue in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Hue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Hue. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Hue receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hue this time of the year. In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Hue during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Hue receives 210 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Hue. Typically, the spring temperatures in Similan Islands in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Hue averages at about 26°C (80°F).

Typical Weather for Hue and Similan Islands