Bangkok or Hanoi? Which has more to offer?
Bankgok skyline
Hanoi train street
All images are the property of the FJR Journal.
Asia has become an increasingly popular travel destination, especially in recent years. Among them, the cities of Bangkok and Hanoi are frequently mentioned as a topic for travel destinations of backpackers and young adults. Here you can find out where the pros and cons lie and which city suits whom.
Few facts and figures for an overview:
Bangkok: Approximately 1,569 square kilometers (606 square miles)
with a population of approximately 11 million
Hanoi: approximately 3,328 square kilometers (1,285 square miles)
with a population of approximately 8.9 million
According to Nation Thailand, about 36 million tourists visited Thailand last year, many of them coming to Bangkok. By contrast, about 12 million tourists visited Vietnam, according to Vietnam Tourism.
Bankgok and Hanoi a day as a tourist
Tourism in Thailand is about three times higher than in Vietnam, which means that the country generates a lot of income from tourism, which is reflected in the modern infrastructure in cities like Bangkok. In Bangkok, there are many neighborhoods where you can party, sightsee, and shop, including modern neighborhoods like Sukhumvit and Riverside. Nevertheless, Bangkok has a beautiful old town with the Royal Palace and many small alleys lined with historic monuments and buildings. In Hanoi, the focus is particularly on the old town and the surrounding neighborhoods, as this is the only place where it is easy to get around without a scooter or taxi, as everything is within walking distance and the public transportation system is not as well developed. There are a few things to do here and there, but these are more likely to be 10-15 minutes away from each other by taxi, and outside the old town it is less possible to get from attraction A to attraction B on foot, simply because of the distance and the lack of footpaths. Hanoi has a less modern infrastructure and is less geared towards tourists, which can often be a minor obstacle if not prepared for when visiting/traveling in Hanoi for culture.
Those planning a longer stay, looking for cultural experiences, and who are confident navigating new environments and abandoning previous standards in favor of new ones should choose Hanoi. Bangkok is for those who don't want to engage with the local culture as deeply, but maybe just want to experience a new culture and still have a certain level of everyday comfort like trains that run downtown in the afternoon with modern cafes, shops, restaurants and activities. Bangkok has many office buildings, large residential areas, luxury hotels that is reminiscent of cities like New York or Tokyo. The public transport network and pedestrian areas in Bangkok extend to the outskirts, where you can explore just as easily as in the center. In other words, if you are looking for a truly modern asian metropolis that also offers cultural aspects such as an old town with a lot of history, then Bangkok is the place for you.
View from Waldorf Astoria Pathum Wan District
Estimate of daily costs
A day in Hanoi for all meals, plus activities and entertainment:
Average cost of food for 2 people per day: All units are in thousands (these are only estimates based on our experience and are not real benchmarks)
Street food: 140-240 VND
EUR: 5.40–9.20
USD: 6.00–10.20
Casual dining: 250-500 VND
EUR: 9.60–19.20
USD: 10.60–21.30
Local tourist spot: 550–800 VND
EUR: 21.20–30.80
USD: 23.40–34.00
Luxury: 1000VND-2500+VND
EUR: 38.50–96.20+ €
USD: 42.60–106.40+ $
Estimate of daily costs
A day in Bangkok for all meals
Average cost of food for 2 people per day:
Street food: 200-600 BHT
EUR: 7,80–15,60 €
USD: 8,60–17,20 $
Casual dining: 750–1.200 THB
EUR: 19,50–31,20 €
USD: 21,50–34,40 $
Local tourist spot: 1400-3000THB
EUR: 36.84–78.95 €
USD: 40.00–85.71 $
Luxury: 2500-8000THB
EUR: 65.79–210.53 €
USD: 71.43–228.57+ $
tea shop in the old quarters of Hanoi
Bankgok and Hanoi final conclusion
Hanoi:You can't really say that one of these cities is better; it's more a matter of what suits you better. Hanoi is the right place if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture and get to know the everyday life of the local community. If you are willing to learn completely new things and are open to any new experiences that may differ from what you know from the Western world, then Hanoi is the right opportunity for you. Many hotels and accommodations in Hanoi have no windows, small rooms and different hygiene standards. The air quality is also heavily influenced by the numerous motorbikes and cars in the very narrow streets and lanes. Also, food standards are not always guaranteed, so you have to adjust your stomach to the local cuisine first, as there are fewer options for familiar cuisine here.
Prices are relatively cheap throughout the city, so be prepared to bring cash aswell as a strong stomach. On the other hand, you have the opportunity to get on a level with the locals in Bangkok in most parts of the city, whether in a small shop on a street corner or in a bar run by the friendly man next door. Since many businesses in Hanoi are still family- or privately-run and do not belong to large chains or companies, you will likely often have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture.
Bankgkok: is more adapted for tourists, with large shopping malls, an extensive public transportation network and restaurants with cuisine from all over the world. You can find every restaurant from German to Indian. That said, Bangkok also has a fantastic street food culture, although this is not very pronounced in the modern districts, so you are more likely to find it in the old town and outlying districts. Whether you're looking to party on Bangkok's Kaho San Road or in Sukhumvit Soi 11, or to enjoy one of the many five-star rooftop bars, you'll probably find it easier to have fun in Bangkok than in any other Asian city. On the other hand, you can visit local small shops and restaurants and try the local cuisine, which is available in many places and offers a fantastic opportunity. However, there is also a much larger market here of large chains and companies in restaurants, shops, hotels and activities. If you want to immerse yourself in old Bangkok and its old habits for a day, the very well-preserved Royal Palaces or one of the numerous temples are just as good as Ancient Siam and the floating market. There are more than enough possibilities, but most people take day trips and stay in areas like Sukhumvit, Riverside or downtown in modern and affordable accommodation where there are many activities and shps around.