A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vang Vieng vs. Hong Kong for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Hong Kong?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hong Kong? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Vang Vieng or Hong Kong?

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.


Which place is cheaper, Hong Kong or Vang Vieng?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $14, while the average daily cost in Hong Kong is $159. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Vang Vieng and Hong Kong in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vang Vieng $4.34
    Hong Kong $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vang Vieng $8.68
    Hong Kong $150
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Hong Kong

Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Hong Kong? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Vang Vieng


Hotels in Hong Kong


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and Hong Kong Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vang Vieng $3.18
    Hong Kong $8.70

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hong Kong

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:


  • MTR (for 2)
    $2.81
  • Local Bus
    $2.81
  • Ferry Ticket
    $0.26
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Ticket
    $14

Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Hong Kong?

Prices for flights to both Hong Kong and Vang Vieng change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Vang Vieng $6.31
    Hong Kong $33

Typical Food Prices in Hong Kong

For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for 2
    $11

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vang Vieng $4.87
    Hong Kong $95

Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.

  • Discover Vang Vieng Private Tour- Trekking, Kayaking and Caving: $102
  • Full Day Private Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave Tour: $156
  • Half-Day Nam Song River Kayak Tour with Zipline or Tham None: $27
  • One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
  • Train ticket Vang vieng to Luang prabang: $50
  • Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $39
  • Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $35
  • Vang Vieng Tour A - Blue lagoon 3 with Caves and Zipline: $110
  • Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
  • Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $50
  • Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour: $120

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hong Kong

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Peak Tram
    $7.66
  • Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
    $24

Tours and Activities in Hong Kong

For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Ma On Shan Climbing Adventure: $115
  • Plover Cove Bicycling and Hiking Adventure: $110

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vang Vieng $1.14
    Hong Kong $21


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Hong Kong Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Hong Kong?

Hong Kong has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Hong Kong, 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.