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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Nagano?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nagano? 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 Nagano?

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.

Nagano

Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Nagano?

Nagano has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Nagano, 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 Nagano?

Nagano 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 Nagano in the Summer?

Both Nagano and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nagano during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Nagano. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nagano in the Autumn?

Both Nagano and Vang Vieng during the autumn 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 autumn months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Nagano in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Nagano fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Nagano. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nagano in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Nagano. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Nagano. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Nagano averages at about 2°C (36°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nagano this time of the year. In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Nagano. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nagano in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Nagano. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Nagano. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 191 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Nagano. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nagano and Vang Vieng