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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Sendai?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Sendai? 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 Sendai?

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.

Sendai

Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours in Laos, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sendai in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Vang Vieng is generally around the same temperature as Sendai. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Sendai. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Sendai. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Vang Vieng is much warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Sendai. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai 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, the winter months attract visitors to Sendai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Sendai can be very cold. In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Sendai. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai 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, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Sendai. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Sendai and Vang Vieng