Bangkok vs Hanoi

Bangkok and Hanoi compared across the three travel tiers — budget, mid-range and luxury — for daily costs, hotels, food, things to do and the practical stuff that actually decides which one you should visit.

Bangkok

Thailand · Asia

Bangkok is one of the world's great food cities — from ¥50 pad thai on a plastic stool to Asia's number-one restaurant. Layer in ornate temples, a chaotic expressway system that somehow works, rivers and canals, and a nightlife that runs until dawn. The city rewards those who get lost in it.

Hanoi

Vietnam · Asia

Hanoi is a sensory overload in the best possible way — motorbikes swarm ancient French-colonial streets, phở simmers on every corner, incense drifts from Buddhist temples, and the Old Quarter's 36 streets each still specialise in a single trade.

Daily cost per tier (USD)

Tier	Bangkok	Hanoi
budget	$25–$45	$15–$30
midrange	$100–$180	$50–$90
luxury	$400–$800	$200–$400

At a glance

	Bangkok	Hanoi
Country	Thailand	Vietnam
Currency	THB (฿) — Thai baht. ATMs widely available; airport exchange rates are poor.	VND (D)
Language	Thai (English in tourist areas, tourist staff, and malls)	Vietnamese (northern dialect - tonal, with 6 tones; English widely spoken in tourist areas)
Best months	November – February (cool and dry season)	October - April
Climate	Tropical monsoon climate with three seasons: cool and dry (Nov–Feb, 25–30°C — the best time to visit), hot and dry (Mar–May, up to 40°C — genuinely brutal), and wet season (Jun–Oct — heavy afternoon rains but not constant). Songkran (Thai New Year, April 13–15) is an enormous water festival and one of the world's great street parties — but also the worst time to try to get anything done.	Hanoi has a distinct four-season climate rare in Southeast Asia. October-April is the dry and cooler season: October-November (25-28 degrees C, dry, perfect) and December-February (15-20 degrees C, occasionally chilly - bring a layer; the winter drizzle creates an atmospheric mist over the Old Quarter). March-April warms up again before the summer heat. May-September is hot and humid (33-38 degrees C) with heavy rain and occasional typhoons. The Tet festival (Vietnamese Lunar New Year, usually January-February) is the most culturally significant time to visit - the city empties as families reunite, then erupts in fireworks and flower markets. Many restaurants close for 1-2 weeks around Tet.
Visa	30 days visa-free on arrival for most Western passports. Extendable once at an immigration office. Check current rules — Thailand's visa policies change frequently.	E-visa required for most nationalities ($25 USD, 90 days, apply online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn - takes 3 working days). Visa-free for some ASEAN countries and a few others (check current list). Always verify before travel as rules change.
Safety	Generally safe for tourists — petty theft and tuk-tuk scams exist but serious crime is rare	Generally safe for tourists. Watch for motorbike bag snatchers (wear bags on the side away from traffic), taxi scams (use Grab app exclusively), and aggressive souvenir sellers. The Old Quarter at night is lively and safe.
Tipping	Not obligatory but appreciated. ฿20–50 for hotel staff, 10% at nice restaurants, round up taxi fares. Never tip with your foot on the bill — deeply offensive.	Not traditionally expected but increasingly appreciated. 10% at tourist restaurants is generous. Round up for taxi (through Grab, no cash tip needed). Tip tour guides and hotel staff 50,000-100,000 VND for good service.
Metro	Yes	No