A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Halong Bay vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Halong Bay or Rotorua?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Halong Bay and Rotorua can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay is a dramatic, spectacular, and breathtaking bay. Halong Bay is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and museums. See Halong Bay travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a natural, world-renowned, and diverse town. The beauty of Rotorua is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Rotorua travel costs.

Halong Bay and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Halong Bay or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rotorua. Although Halong Bay and Rotorua are both popular with visitors, Rotorua has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Rotorua is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Halong Bay is known for its beaches and impressive beauty. Halong Bay is popular for its stunning limestone mountains, dramatic water caves, peaceful fishing villages, and unique liveaboard boat trips. Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies. It is also home to Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

How is Halong Bay different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Halong Bay or Rotorua?

Rotorua is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Halong Bay is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Halong Bay. While the bay is really about its stunning natural beauty, you can also visit the Quang Ninh Museum, which will give you some insight into the area. The Cai Bau Pagoda is also impressive, as is the Vung Vieng Floating Village.

Is the Food Better in Halong Bay or Rotorua? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rotorua is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Halong Bay is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Rotorua. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Halong Bay is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Because most visitors travel to Halong Bay as part of an overnight boat tour, meals are usually included in the package. The dishes are usually local Vietnamese dishes, and the luxury level varies depending on the tour you book.

Is Halong Bay or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Rotorua is a town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Halong Bay is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

The nightlife scene is quiet in Halong Bay Many tours, particularly those that cater to the backpacker crowd, have a social atmosphere, but there isn't a nightlife scene and this area isn't a trip that's known for its party atmosphere. Most tourists stay up in the evening swapping travel stories with their fellow boatmates.

Is Halong Bay or Rotorua Better for Beaches?

Halong Bay is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Rotorua is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Halong Bay attract visitors from all over. Many boat tours spend a day or half day hanging out on a beach. The setting is stunning with emerald blue water and dramatic limestone karsts climbing out of the water.

Rotorua is not a beach destination.

Is Halong Bay or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Both Halong Bay and Rotorua are destinations which offer great hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Halong Bay. Most tours stop off at Cat Ba Island and lead travelers through spectacular hikes. You'll take a guided walk through jungles and reach spectacular viewpoints.

Many visitors go to Rotorua for the hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Halong Bay or Rotorua?

Rotorua is a town with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Halong Bay is not particularly known for its shopping areas.

Rotorua offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Shopping in Halong Bay can be found for those interested. Most people don't spend their time shopping while they're visiting the area. If you're looking for a local souvenir, there are a few places to pick things up during your trip.

Is Halong Bay or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Halong Bay is an amazing bay to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Halong Bay is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Halong Bay has been voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and it is regularly listed as one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Is Halong Bay or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Halong Bay is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an extremely popular town to visit for families. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Halong Bay. Most people visit the area on board an overnight boat from Hanoi. The boats range in style and luxury level, but whatever you choose, your kids will love the novelty of sleeping aboard a boat and exploring the truly stunning islands.

Is Halong Bay or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Both Halong Bay and Rotorua are world-class destinations for a couple's getaway.

Halong Bay is a great bay for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This truly world-class setting makes a perfect honeymoon or romantic destination. You'll likely want to book a luxury boat with plenty of amenities and delicious dining options. The setting is spectacular, and among the most unique in the world.

Rotorua is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Is Halong Bay or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for backpackers. Also, Halong Bay is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Rotorua. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Halong Bay. This is one of those places that you can't really visit independently, because you'll need to arrange a boat. There are countless travel agencies in Hanoi that you can book your trip through. The prices vary widely, as do the activities and amenities. Most backpackers enjoy exploring the bay aboard a Chinese Sail Boat or 'Junk'.

Is Halong Bay or Rotorua Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotorua is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Halong Bay is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Public transit is quite limited in Halong Bay. An organized tour is essential for exploring the bay. Most visitors arrange an overnight boat tour, often aboard a Chinese Sail Boat or 'Junk'.

Is Halong Bay or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Rotorua is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Halong Bay is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Rotorua is a somewhat walkable place. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

Halong Bay is not a very walkable bay. This is a place that requires an organized tour to visit, as you need a boat to explore.

For even more information, also check out Is Halong Bay Worth Visiting? and Is Rotorua Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Halong Bay?

How long in Halong Bay or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Halong Bay and Rotorua. In our opinion, Rotorua has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rotorua than Halong Bay. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotorua than Halong Bay 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 Rotorua.

One day in Halong Bay or Rotorua?

In Halong Bay, you'll find food and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This bay offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With museums and nightlife around the world-renowned town of Rotorua, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Halong Bay or Rotorua?

In Halong Bay, you'll find museums and food. 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 Halong Bay has to offer.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Rotorua, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Halong Bay or Rotorua?

Halong Bay is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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.

Rotorua, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Halong Bay or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Halong Bay. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Halong Bay. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Rotorua is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

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

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