A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Can Tho vs. Nara for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Can Tho or Nara?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Can Tho and Nara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Can Tho

Can Tho is a fascinating, vibrant, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Can Tho travel costs.

Nara

Nara is a tranquil, natural, and historic city. Nara is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Nara travel costs.

Can Tho and Nara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Can Tho or Nara?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Can Tho than Nara. While Nara is larger than Can Tho, Can Tho has more sights and attractions for tourists. Can Tho is better known for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Nara is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Can Tho is more touristy than Nara and is popular for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. Also, Can Tho is famous for Cai Rang Floating Market. Nara is well known for its many temples and shrines, its beautiful natural areas, and its free roaming deer.

How is Can Tho different from Nara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nara and Can Tho. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Can Tho or Nara?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Can Tho and Nara.

Many visitors head to Can Tho specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The main attraction nearby is Cai Rang Floating Market, but visitors also enjoy seeing Binh Thuy Ancient House, the Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory, Ong pagoda, and Nam Nha Pagoda.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nara can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with history. There are many ancient temples such as Tōdai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Tōshōdai-ji Temple. You can also visit the Nara National Museum as well as the many parks and gardens.

Is the Food Better in Can Tho or Nara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Can Tho is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Can Tho. It's the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and there are many restaurants with rooftop views and lively atmospheres. The food is local and fresh. Grilled meats, noodle soup, and local produce are all popular. Many visitors come to Cantho specifically to experience the nearby floating markets. You really must sample the many dishes available at the markets, which are unique to the area and offer a whole new approach to street food.

Nara is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The cuisine is simple and traditional with its roots in the history of the area. Many residents start their morning with a simple rice porridge. The area is also known for its persimmon leaf sushi and miwa somen (a thin, chewy noodle).

Is Can Tho or Nara Better for Nightlife?

Nara is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Nara for the nightlife scene. The town offers a serene and relaxed atmosphere at night. There are plenty of bars around town that are known for their friendly bartenders and you'll find many of the bars in Naramachi, which is the old town area.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Can Tho. The city is very beautiful at night with many colorful lights. There are a number of bars and places for tourists to hang out and socialize.

Is Can Tho or Nara Better for its Old Town?

Nara is very good for its old town. However, Can Tho does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Nara. Naramachi is the old town of Nara. This is the old merchant district and today you'll find several traditional residential buildings and warehouses that are open to the public.

Can Tho does not have a historic old town.

Is Can Tho or Nara Better for Hiking?

Nara is great for hiking. However, Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Nara for the hiking trails. The city is all about its surrounding nature. There are historic pilgrim routes that pass through the hills and mountains, taking you by sacred sights and ancient forests. In the area you'll find some of Japan's most ancient byways.

Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Can Tho or Nara?

Can Tho is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Can Tho make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is large with malls and a central market, but most visitors come specifically for the nearby floating markets. These unique markets are best visited by boat. Goods and food are sold out of vendor boats and popular food dishes include noodle soup and local fruits. Each boat has a tall bamboo stick displaying the items that it sells.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nara. Sanjo-dori is the main street through town. This is where you'll find many souvenir shops that sell local items and traditional food. Mochiido Center Town is the oldest shopping arcade in town and it is filled with history.

Is Can Tho or Nara More Beautiful?

Nara is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Can Tho is not a destination known for its beauty.

Nara is a beautiful place to visit, too. The city is filled with green space, parks, and natural areas. You'll find deer roaming freely and tranquil lawns where you can relax.

Can Tho is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Can Tho or Nara Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Can Tho or Nara.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Can Tho is very family-friendly. Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the floating markets and the beautiful Mekong Delta. Most visitors use this growing city as a base for exploring the area, which has a fascinating culture and interesting sights.

Nara is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Head to Nara Park for a bit of nature in the city. Deer roam freely in the park, which is filled with pine trees and beautiful lawns. Kids will also appreciate a visit to Ikomasanjo Amusement Park or the NARAMACHI-KARAKURI Toy Museum. You can also take a ride on the Ikoma Cable Line or spend some time at the Tennenyamato Hot Spring Nara Kenko Land.

Is Can Tho or Nara Better for Couples?

Both Can Tho and Nara are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Can Tho is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can take a romantic evening boat ride on the Mekong Delta. During the morning hours, the floating markets are one of Vietnam's most interesting destinations. You can sample local dishes and experience a completely different way of life.

Nara is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is smaller than you might expect, and it's filled with green space and parks. You can wander through Nara Park, see the deer, and soak up the romantic atmosphere. You can also visit one of the beautiful temples such as Todaiji Temple. Many couples also enjoy exploring Yoshikien Garden.

Is Can Tho or Nara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Can Tho is notable for backpackers. Also, Nara is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Can Tho is a great city to visit for backpackers. This is a large city with a number of hostels and many backpackers who pass through during their trip to the floating markets and through the Mekong Delta.

Nara is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers and the budget travel crowd.

Is Can Tho or Nara Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nara is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Can Tho is not a good destination for its public transit.

Nara has some very good public transit options. There are city buses that will take you through town and to the many tourist spots.

Public transit is generally limited in Can Tho. There are local buses, but many visitors come to this area as part of an organized tour because transportation can be a bit a tricky.

Is Can Tho or Nara a more walkable city?

Nara is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Nara is a very walkable city. Many of the sights are within walking distance of each other, so many visitors enjoy exploring on foot.

Can Tho is a somewhat walkable city. The city center is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Can Tho Worth Visiting? and Is Nara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nara or Can Tho?

How long in Can Tho or Nara?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Can Tho or Nara to fill your time. In our opinion, Nara has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Nara than Can Tho. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Nara than Can Tho. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nara, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Nara than Can Tho. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nara that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Can Tho than Nara if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Can Tho.

One day in Can Tho or Nara?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Can Tho. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Nara, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Can Tho or Nara?

Can Tho is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Nara, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nara has to offer.

Five days in Can Tho or Nara?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fascinating destination of Can Tho. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nara is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Can Tho or Nara?

The fascinating city of Can Tho offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nara. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nara. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Can Tho and Nara, we can see that Nara is more expensive. And not only is Can Tho much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Can Tho would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Can Tho 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 Nara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nara than you might in Can Tho.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Can Tho Expensive? and Is Nara Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Can Tho or Nara?

Nara has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Can Tho. When comparing the sizes of Can Tho and Nara, 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 Can Tho or Nara?

Nara has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Can Tho experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Can Tho or Nara in the Summer?

Both Nara and Can Tho during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Can Tho because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Can Tho is around the same temperature as Nara in the summer. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In the summer, Can Tho often gets less sunshine than Nara. Can Tho gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 183 hours of full sun.

Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. Can Tho usually gets more rain in July than Nara. Can Tho gets 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Can Tho or Nara in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Can Tho and Nara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Can Tho year-round. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nara this time of year.

In the autumn, Can Tho is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Can Tho in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Nara averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Can Tho usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nara during autumn. Can Tho gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Can Tho gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Can Tho usually receives more rain than Nara. Can Tho gets 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho.

Should I visit Can Tho or Nara in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Can Tho as well as Nara. Can Tho attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nara. In January, Can Tho is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Can Tho average around 26°C (78°F), and Nara fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Can Tho this time of the year. In the winter, Can Tho often gets more sunshine than Nara. Can Tho gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nara receives 140 hours of full sun.

Can Tho usually gets less rain in January than Nara. Can Tho gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Can Tho or Nara in the Spring?

Both Nara and Can Tho are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Can Tho throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Nara in the spring for the natural beauty.

Can Tho is much warmer than Nara in the spring. The daily temperature in Can Tho averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. Can Tho usually receives more sunshine than Nara during spring. Can Tho gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Nara receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Can Tho. In April, Can Tho usually receives less rain than Nara. Can Tho gets 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Can Tho is December to April. The rainy season in Can Tho is May to November.

Typical Weather for Nara and Can Tho