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

Should you visit Ao Nang or Vang Vieng?

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

Should I visit Ao Nang or Vang Vieng? 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: Ao Nang or Vang Vieng?

Ao Nang

If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.

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

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Vang Vieng?

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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Vang Vieng in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Vang Vieng. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Vang Vieng. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Vang Vieng during summer. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 141 hours of full sun in the summer.

Ao Nang is a little warmer than Vang Vieng in the summer. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

Should I visit Ao Nang or Vang Vieng in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Vang Vieng. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.

Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in October than Vang Vieng. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Ao Nang often gets less sunshine than Vang Vieng. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 222 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Ao Nang is a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ao Nang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Vang Vieng averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Should I visit Ao Nang or Vang Vieng in the Winter?

Both Vang Vieng and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March. In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Vang Vieng. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Vang Vieng during winter. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Vang Vieng receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ao Nang is generally a little warmer than Vang Vieng. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Should I visit Ao Nang or Vang Vieng in the Spring?

Both Vang Vieng and Ao Nang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.

Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in April than Vang Vieng. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Vang Vieng receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the spring, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Vang Vieng. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vang Vieng receives 230 hours of full sun.

Ao Nang is a little warmer than Vang Vieng in the spring. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Vang Vieng fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Typical Weather for Vang Vieng and Ao Nang