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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Ise?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Ise? 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 Ise?

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.

Ise

A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Ise?

Ise has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Ise, 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 Vang Vieng or Ise?

Ise 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 Ise in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Ise. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Ise for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Ise. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Ise fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Ise. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ise receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ise. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Ise. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ise receives 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Ise in the Autumn?

Both Ise and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ise because of the shopping scene.

Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Ise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Ise fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Ise during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Ise receives 160 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Ise. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ise receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Ise in the Winter?

Both Ise and Vang Vieng during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ise this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ise in the winter. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Ise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Ise averages at about 5°C (40°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the winter, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Ise. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ise receives 165 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Ise. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ise receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Ise in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Ise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ise for the beaches.

In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Ise. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Ise fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Ise during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Ise receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

Ise receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Ise. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Ise receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ise and Vang Vieng