A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hue vs. Dewa Sanzan for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Couples

Should you visit Hue or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hue and Dewa Sanzan 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.

Hue

Hue is a imperial, cultural, and authentic city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Hue travel costs.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a religious, sacred, and remote religious site. Other popular activities here include hiking and museums. See Dewa Sanzan travel costs.

Hue and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hue or Dewa Sanzan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hue. Although Hue and Dewa Sanzan are both popular with visitors, Hue has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hue is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Dewa Sanzan is known for its hiking. Hue is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is popular for its imperial buildings and political history as the country's historic capital. It is also home to Imperial City. Dewa Sanzan is popular for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Hue different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hue or Dewa Sanzan?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Hue specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. It's an ancient city that is filled with many sights from its imperial past. The Imperial City in Hue is the city's most important attraction. Other sights include the Thai Hoa Palace, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Royal Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dewa Sanzan. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

Is the Food Better in Hue or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Hue has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local dishes were once served to the city's emperors, but today you'll find them in restaurants and food stalls. Dishes are either sweet or spicy with lemongrass, basil, chilies, and mint herbs mixed in. Soups and grilled meats are popular such as bun bo hue and nem lui.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Hue or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Hue is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Hue. For the best nightlife, many visitors head to the Western Area, particularly around the streets of Pham Ngu Lao, Chu Van An and Vo Thi Sau. Nguyen Dinh Chieu Walking Street is another popular area for nightlife in Hue.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Hue or Dewa Sanzan Better for its Old Town?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Dewa Sanzan does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Hue. As the former imperial capital, you'll see many temples and historical sites in the city.

Dewa Sanzan does not have a historic old town.

Is Hue or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Hue is not a hiking destination.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular spot for hiking. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Hue is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hue or Dewa Sanzan?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Hue is well-known for its shopping. The city has many local markets where you can find traditional and authentic handicrafts. Some of the most interesting things to purchase at the markets include silk paintings, antiques, and lacquerware.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Hue or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Hue is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Hue is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy exploring the Imperial City, visiting Ho Quyen Arena and Long Chau Temple, or wandering through the city's local markets. The Demilitarized Zone is also an interesting side trip.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly city. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Hue or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Both Hue and Dewa Sanzan are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Hue is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can enjoy boat rides or sunset cruises along Perfume River. There are also interesting temples and fascinating day trips that you can take from the city.

Dewa Sanzan is a nice destination for couples. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Hue or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Hue. It is a popular stop over in central Vietnam. There are plenty of hostels and budget guesthouses to accommodate the backpacker crowds. There are also cheap restaurants and interesting activities relating to the city's long history.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Is Hue or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hue is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its public transit.

Hue has some public transit options. Cyclos, motorbikes, and local bus are the most common ways to get around the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Hue or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Hue is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Hue is a very walkable city. Many of the sights can be reached on foot and the city is relatively compact.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Hue Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Hue?

How long in Hue or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hue and Dewa Sanzan. In our opinion, Hue has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Hue than Dewa Sanzan. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Hue, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dewa Sanzan.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hue than Dewa Sanzan 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 Hue.

One day in Hue or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the imperial city of Hue. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With museums around the traditional destination of Dewa Sanzan, there's plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Hue or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Hue. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many people visit Dewa Sanzan for a weekend. With museums around the remote religious site of Dewa Sanzan, there's plenty to do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Hue or Dewa Sanzan?

The authentic city of Hue offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

The destination of Dewa Sanzan offers museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Five days 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.

A week in Hue or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hue. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Dewa Sanzan, a popular religious site, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cultural Tours in 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 Hue and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Dewa Sanzan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dewa Sanzan than you might in Hue.

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

When is the best time to visit Hue or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Should I visit Hue or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Hue during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking during these months.

In July, Hue is generally a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 29°C (85°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Hue. In the summer, Hue often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Hue gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hue usually gets less rain in July than Dewa Sanzan. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year. March to August is the dry season in Hue. September to December is the rainy season in Hue.

Should I visit Hue or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking trails.

Hue is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Hue usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dewa Sanzan during autumn. Hue gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hue gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hue usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Hue.

Should I visit Hue or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hue as well as Dewa Sanzan. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dewa Sanzan in the winter. In the winter, Hue is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hue in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about -1°C (30°F).

In the winter, Hue often gets less sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Hue gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Hue receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hue usually gets less rain in January than Dewa Sanzan. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, March to August in Hue is the dry season.

Should I visit Hue or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year.

In April, Hue is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 26°C (80°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hue. Hue usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during spring. Hue gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hue usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Hue