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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Nanchang?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nanchang? 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 Nanchang?

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.

Nanchang

Capital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang is a city of southern China with a significant history. Landmarks like the Tengwang Pavilion represent the city's distant past, while its nickname - "the city of Heroes" - comes from the 1927 Nanchang Uprising when the Communist Party began. Today the city serves as a center for politics, economy, culture, science, education, commerce, and transportation.

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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Nanchang 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 Nanchang is $58. 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 Nanchang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vang Vieng $4.34
    Nanchang $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vang Vieng $8.68
    Nanchang $40
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Nanchang

Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Nanchang? 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 Nanchang


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vang Vieng $3.18
    Nanchang $11

Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Nanchang?

Prices for flights to both Nanchang 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
    Nanchang $32

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vang Vieng $4.87
    Nanchang $4.56

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vang Vieng $1.14
    Nanchang $6.31


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


Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Nanchang?

Nanchang has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Nanchang, 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 Nanchang?

Nanchang 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 Nanchang in the Summer?

Both Nanchang 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.

In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Nanchang. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Nanchang fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

It's quite sunny in Nanchang. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Nanchang during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Nanchang receives 262 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nanchang. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Nanchang. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nanchang receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vang Vieng 22°C (72°F) 
    Nanchang 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nanchang in the Autumn?

Both Nanchang 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.

Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Nanchang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Nanchang fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Nanchang. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nanchang receives 161 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in October than Nanchang. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Nanchang receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F) 
    Nanchang 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nanchang in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Nanchang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.

In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Nanchang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Nanchang averages at about 6°C (43°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Nanchang during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Nanchang receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nanchang. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nanchang receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vang Vieng 24°C (75°F) 
    Nanchang 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Nanchang in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Nanchang. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Nanchang. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Nanchang fluctuates around 18°C (64°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 Nanchang. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nanchang receives 116 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nanchang. Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in April than Nanchang. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Nanchang receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vang Vieng 23°C (73°F) 
    Nanchang 18°C (64°F)

Typical Weather for Nanchang and Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng Nanchang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 158 mm (6.2 in)
Apr 23°C (73°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 229 mm (9 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 232 mm (9.1 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 30°C (86°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 30°C (86°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (47°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)