A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hanoi vs. Matsue for Attractions, Old Town, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Hanoi or Matsue?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Matsue 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.

Hanoi

Hanoi is a cultural, historical, and fascinating city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Hanoi travel costs.

Matsue

Matsue is a quiet, peaceful, and pretty town. The beauty of Matsue is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Matsue travel costs.

Hanoi and Matsue: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hanoi or Matsue?

You'll generally find more things to do in Hanoi than Matsue. Hanoi is bigger than Matsue, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Hanoi is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Matsue is more popular for its impressive beauty. Hanoi is well known for its impressive street food, historical museums, and bustling energy. Also, Hanoi is famous for Hoan Kiem Lake. Matsue is well known for its 17th century castle and its quaint atmosphere.

How is Hanoi different from Matsue?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hanoi or Matsue?

Hanoi is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Hanoi are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is rich in history and culture, which you can experience through its many museums and temples. Notable sights include the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Hoa Lo Prison Museum, and the Imperial Citadel.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Matsue. Most people visit town specifically to see the Matsue Castle, which is one of the last original castles left in Japan. The city also has parks and gardens, as well as the Shimane Art Museum, Yaegaki Shrine, and Miho Shrine.

Is the Food Better in Hanoi or Matsue? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Hanoi and Matsue.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Hanoi. Northern Vietnamese cuisine is fresh and delicious. There are some Chinese influences, but it still has a distinct flavor that's all its own. Most notably, Hanoi is the birthplace of the famous soup, Pho. There are also many dishes that use freshwater fish and seafood. Street food and food stalls are a part of the culture, and you'll find some of the best dishes prepared right on the street.

Matsue has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are peaceful restaurants and cafes around town where you can sample the local dishes. Many restaurants have beautiful gardens and set lunch menus, which is a great way to sample fine dining cuisine at a reasonable price.

Is Hanoi or Matsue Better for Nightlife?

Hanoi is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Matsue is a town with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Hanoi know how to have a good time. There are night markets, nightclubs, and bars that are popular with backpackers and other young travelers. Some of the best streets for nightlife include Ta Hien Street, Hang Buom Street, Trang Tien Street, and Hoan Kiem Lake Walking Street.

Matsue doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a quiet town and there's not much of a nightlife scene, but if you spend the night you can probably find a quaint local bar where you can hang out.

Is Hanoi or Matsue Better for its Old Town?

Hanoi is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Hanoi offers plenty to see. This compact and energetic area is filled with history, Vietnamese architecture, traditional food stalls, and some of the city's most interesting streets. It's also at the heart of the city's backpacker scene, and you'll find many hostels in the area.

Matsue has an old town worth visiting. The town has one of the last of the twelve original castles that are still in Japan. There are also many canals that cross the town.

Is the Shopping Better in Hanoi or Matsue?

Hanoi is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Matsue is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Hanoi make it a world-class shopping destination. Explore the Old Quarter where you'll find narrow shophouses and traditional markets. It's best to explore on foot and pop in to the places that look interesting. Silk Street and Silver Street are particularly fascinating.

Matsue has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Kyomise Shopping District is a charming street near Ohashi Bridge. It is lined with shops and restaurants and tourists will enjoy visiting the souvenir and specialty stores in the area.

Is Hanoi or Matsue More Beautiful?

Matsue is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Hanoi is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Matsue is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is a pretty town with a peaceful atmosphere, beautiful gardens, and a lakefront setting.

Hanoi is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Hanoi or Matsue Better for Families?

Both Hanoi and Matsue are notable to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Hanoi. Some kids love the energy of the city, but others can get a bit intimidated by it. The traffic and chaotic congestion is part of the experience, but for kids it can feel overwhelming. Take a tour to help ease some of the pressure. Kids will also enjoy going to a water puppet show or visiting a museum such as the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology.

Matsue offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the city's history as much as adults. There are several temples and shrines to explore as well as Lake Shinji. The best views of the lake are from the Shimane Art Museum.

Is Hanoi or Matsue Better for Couples?

Both Hanoi and Matsue are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Hanoi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy adventure and exploring new cultures will love a trip to this fascinating city. If you want to get out of town, also book a trip through the stunning Halong Bay.

Matsue is a good city for couples to visit. Castles, gardens, and museums all make this a beautiful and romantic destination. Couples will enjoy immersing themselves in the city's history. There's also a beautiful lake and the impressive Matsue Vogel Park.

Is Hanoi or Matsue Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hanoi is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Matsue 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 Hanoi. It's a highlight for many backpackers doing the Southeast Asian circuit. It is filled with hostels and cheap places to eat, and there is no shortage of backpackers around town. Most stay in the Old Quarter, where you'll find the highest concentration of hostels and budget accommodation.

Plenty of backpackers visit Matsue. There are a couple of hostels and guesthouses as well as budget hotels around town for backpackers.

Is Hanoi or Matsue Better for Students?

Hanoi is a great destination for students. However, Matsue is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Hanoi. It's affordability, fascinating culture, and accessibility make it a great study abroad destination. The food and plethora of cultural opportunities are a highlight for many international students.

Matsue is not popular with students.

Is Hanoi or Matsue Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Matsue is well known for its public transit. However, Hanoi is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Matsue can get you around easily. There are city buses as well as Ichibata Bus. Tourists will mostly use the Lakeline loop, which connects the two railway stations with all of the city's major attractions. Buses run every 20 minutes.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hanoi. The best ways to get around town include motorbike taxis, cyclos, regular taxis, and local buses.

Is Hanoi or Matsue a more walkable city?

Matsue is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Hanoi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Matsue is a very walkable town. Most of the town's sights can be reached on foot. You can walk from the JR Matsue Station to the castle in half an hour and it's only 15 minutes from the Shinjiko Onsen Station.

Hanoi is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of the city that are best explored on foot, but you'll also find crowded areas with motorbikes, food stalls, and cars, so come prepared for a bit of a thrill. Most visitors spend the majority of their time in the Old Quarter, which is compact and dense.

For even more information, also check out Is Hanoi Worth Visiting? and Is Matsue Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Matsue or Hanoi?

How long in Hanoi or Matsue?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hanoi and Matsue. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hanoi than in Matsue. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Hanoi, and 2-3 days is enough time in Matsue.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hanoi than Matsue 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 Hanoi.

One day in Hanoi or Matsue?

Hanoi is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Matsue, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this peaceful destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Hanoi or Matsue?

Hanoi is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Matsue. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Hanoi or Matsue?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hanoi. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Matsue is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Matsue. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Hanoi or Matsue?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural big city of Hanoi. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the quiet destination of Matsue. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best G Adventures Tours to Vietnam, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Matsue?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Matsue. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Matsue, 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 Hanoi or Matsue?

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

Should I visit Hanoi or Matsue in the Summer?

Both Matsue and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Matsue this time of year.

Hanoi is a little warmer than Matsue in the summer. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Matsue fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Matsue. It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In July, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Matsue. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 268 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September.

Should I visit Hanoi or Matsue in the Autumn?

Both Matsue and Hanoi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Matsue for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Hanoi is much warmer than Matsue. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hanoi in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Matsue averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Matsue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets less rain in October than Matsue. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Hanoi.

Should I visit Hanoi or Matsue in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Matsue. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Matsue in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Matsue can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hanoi is generally much warmer than Matsue. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 17°C (63°F), and Matsue fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Matsue receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Matsue. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hanoi or Matsue in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Matsue. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Matsue for the natural beauty during these months.

Hanoi is much warmer than Matsue in the spring. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Matsue fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite rainy in Matsue. Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hanoi usually gets less rain in April than Matsue. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Matsue receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. May to September in Hanoi is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Matsue and Hanoi