Which place is cheaper, Hongcun or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Vang Vieng or Hongcun?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hongcun? 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 Hongcun?
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.
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesHongcun Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Hongcun $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $67. 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 Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Hongcun? 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.
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Hongcun $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun 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
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Food Meals for one dayVang Vieng $11Hongcun $33
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.91
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.10
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Hongcun $17
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Hongcun $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Hongcun, we can see that Hongcun 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 Hongcun would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hongcun 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 Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng or Hongcun?
Hongcun has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hongcun in the Summer?
Both Hongcun and Vang Vieng during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Hongcun in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Hongcun. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hongcun in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Hongcun averages at about 19°C (65°F).
In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Hongcun. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hongcun in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Hongcun. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Hongcun in the winter. In January, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Hongcun. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Hongcun in the Spring?
Both Hongcun and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.
Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Hongcun in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.