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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Matsue?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Matsue? 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 Matsue?

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.

Matsue

Matsue, Japan is located on the scenic shores of Lake Shinji in the Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is the capital city of the prefecture and is known as the water city due to being located between Lake Shinji, Lake Nakaumi, and the Sea of Japan. This historically rich city is famous for being a laid back samurai village with stunning sunsets and traditional confectioneries.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Matsue?

Matsue has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Matsue, 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 Matsue?

Matsue 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 Matsue in the Summer?

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

In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Matsue. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 201 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Matsue. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Matsue in the Autumn?

Both Matsue 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 Matsue because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Matsue in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Matsue fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 173 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Matsue. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Matsue in the Winter?

Both Matsue 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. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

It's quite cold in Matsue in the winter. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Matsue averages at about 4°C (39°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the winter, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Matsue. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Matsue receives 84 hours of full sun.

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in January than Matsue. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Matsue in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, many travelers come to Matsue for the natural beauty.

In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Matsue during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Matsue receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

Matsue 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 Matsue. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Vang Vieng