A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapa vs. Hiroshima for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sapa or Hiroshima?

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 Sapa and Hiroshima can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sapa

Sapa is a fascinating, picturesque, and cultural town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come to Sapa because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food. See Sapa travel costs.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a park-filled, memorable, and meaningful city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Hiroshima travel costs.

Sapa and Hiroshima: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapa or Hiroshima?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Sapa than Hiroshima. While Hiroshima is larger than Sapa, Sapa has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Sapa is more popular for its hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Hiroshima is known for its museums and attractions. Sapa is more touristy than Hiroshima and is known for its stunning village and mountain trekking, beautiful rice paddies, and colorful weekly markets. It is also home to Cat Cat Village. Hiroshima is popular for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation.

How is Sapa different from Hiroshima?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sapa or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima is a world-class destination for its historical sights. However, Sapa is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Hiroshima from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

Sapa offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While the many nearby villages are filled with markets and culture and have the feel of living museums, there are few actual museums in the area.

Is the Food Better in Sapa or Hiroshima? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Sapa and Hiroshima both to be superb destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sapa. The area's food highlights the local agricultural scene with lots of meat, fish, and vegetables. If you want to check out traditional Hmong cuisine, Thang Co is one of the most common dishes. It's a soup that has a strong smell and is prepared with local herbs and meats.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Hiroshima. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Is Sapa or Hiroshima Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Sapa and Hiroshima.

If you're looking for night time activities Sapa has a few options to choose from. While you don't visit the area for its nightlife, there's a big backpacker scene here so you'll likely find a crowd looking for a good time. The town has a night market and there are plenty of bars that cater to the tourists.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hiroshima. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

Is Sapa or Hiroshima Better for Hiking?

Sapa is an unbeatable place for hiking. However, Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Around Sapa visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Trekking is, by far, one of the best ways to experience the area's beauty. You'll pass by scenic rice paddies, walk along mist covered mountains, and stumble into fascinating villages. Many people hire a local guide to guide them. This helps the local economy and offers insider information.

Hiroshima is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapa or Hiroshima?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sapa and Hiroshima both offer plenty of superb spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sapa. Many villages have a weekly market that is very fascinating to explore. In addition to local food items, there are often locally made handicrafts that make great souvenirs from your travels.

Hiroshima is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

Is Sapa or Hiroshima More Beautiful?

Sapa is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Hiroshima is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Sapa because of it's amazing beauty. The region is filled with dramatic mountains and rice paddies that give it a truly Vietnamese beauty.

Hiroshima is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sapa or Hiroshima Better for Families?

Sapa is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Sapa is a very family-friendly destination. Many people arrive via an overnight train, which is an adventure for the whole family. Once you arrive, your kids will experience a local culture that is uniquely its own. You can participate in a homestay and enjoy meals prepared by a local family. There are also many kid-friendly hikes through the surrounding mountains.

Hiroshima is a family-friendly place to visit. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Sapa or Hiroshima Better for Couples?

Sapa is a great town for romance. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Sapa is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy experiencing unique cultures and hiking through stunning mountain settings will love a trip to this mountain town. While the tourists have definitely discovered the area, there are still places that have a local vibe with traditional Vietnamese markets and homesteads.

Hiroshima makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Sapa or Hiroshima Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapa is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Sapa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Like much of Southeast Asia, this town and the surrounding areas are solidly on the backpacker trail. You'll find cheap places to stay and tours that cater specifically to the budget and backpacker crowd.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hiroshima. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

Is Sapa or Hiroshima Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hiroshima is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Sapa is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Visitors to Hiroshima can move around easily with public transportation. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

Sapa has a few public transit options. There are public buses through the region. If you're hoping to visit nearby towns for their market days, an organized tour or private guide is a good option.

Is Sapa or Hiroshima a more walkable city?

Sapa and Hiroshima are superb when it comes to walkability.

Sapa is very walkable. Trekking is, by far, the best way to experience the area and all of the beauty and culture that it has to offer.

Hiroshima is a very walkable town. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Sapa Worth Visiting? and Is Hiroshima Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hiroshima or Sapa?

How long in Sapa or Hiroshima?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sapa and Hiroshima. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sapa than in Hiroshima. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Sapa, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hiroshima.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapa than Hiroshima 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 Sapa.

One day in Sapa or Hiroshima?

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Sapa. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Hiroshima. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Sapa or Hiroshima?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the scenic destination of Sapa. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Hiroshima is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

Five days in Sapa or Hiroshima?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic town of Sapa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Sapa or Hiroshima?

Sapa is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The meaningful city of Hiroshima 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sapa or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Sapa and Hiroshima, 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.