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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Rockhampton?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rockhampton? 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 Rockhampton?

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.

Rockhampton

Rockhampton is a city in Queensland, Australia with a population of around 75,000. It dates back to 1855 and historically the economy was driven by gold, mining, and agriculture. Today it feels more bustling than you would expect in an "outback town." There's traffic, suburban sprawl, and continuing growth and development. The city sits on the Fitzroy River about 45 kilometers from the river's mouth.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Rockhampton, we can see that Rockhampton is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia and Rockhampton is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Rockhampton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Rockhampton?

Rockhampton has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Rockhampton, 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 Rockhampton?

Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Rockhampton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rockhampton this time of year.

Vang Vieng is cooler than Rockhampton in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Rockhampton fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.

Rockhampton receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Rockhamptonin January. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rockhampton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Rockhampton. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Rockhampton for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Rockhampton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Rockhampton averages at about 23°C (74°F)in April.

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in October than Rockhamptonin April. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rockhampton in the Winter?

Both Rockhampton and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Rockhampton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Vang Vieng is generally a little warmer than Rockhamptonin July. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Rockhampton fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Rockhamptonin July. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Rockhampton in the Spring?

Both Rockhampton and Vang Vieng during the spring 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, most visitors come to Rockhampton for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Rockhampton in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Rockhampton fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Rockhamptonin October. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rockhampton and Vang Vieng