Comparison · Chiang Mai vs Hoi An · Thailand / Vietnam
Chiang Mai vs Hoi An
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nawit science, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Chiang Mai for Doi Suthep, Old city temples, nightlife and free sights; choose Hoi An for Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge and beaches. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 1,044 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,044 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Chiang Mai
- November–February
- Best time for Hoi An
- February–May
Side by side
| Chiang Mai | Hoi An | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Thailand | Vietnam |
| Known for | Doi Suthep, Old city temples and Khao soi | Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge and Tailor-made clothes |
| Best time to visit | November–February | February–May |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $60–$140 | $60–$130 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | April, 36°C (97°F) | June, 34°C (93°F) |
| Coldest month | December, 28°C (82°F) | January, 25°C (77°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | An Bang Beach |
| Airports | CNX | DAD |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Chiang Mai for…
Doi Suthep, Old city temples, nightlife and free sights. Founded in 1296 as the capital of the Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai keeps a square old city ringed by a moat and fragments of brick wall, with dozens of temples inside. Beyond the moat are the café district of Nimmanhaemin, the Ping River and the forested slopes…
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Choose Hoi An for…
Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge and beaches. Hoi An was a busy trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries, when Japanese, Chinese and European merchants traded here on the Thu Bon River. Its compact Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, keeps more than a thousand timber-fronted shophouses…
Top sights compared
| # | Chiang Mai | Hoi An |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wat Phra That Doi Suthep | Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu) |
| 2 | Wat Phra Singh | Ancient Town streets and lanterns |
| 3 | Wat Chedi Luang | Lantern boat ride on the Thu Bon |
| 4 | Wat Chiang Man | Tan Ky Old House |
| 5 | Tha Phae Gate and the old city walls | Fujian Assembly Hall (Phúc Kiến) |
Food compared
| Chiang Mai | Hoi An |
|---|---|
| Khao soi | Cao lầu |
| Sai ua | Hoi An bánh mì |
| Nam prik noom | Hoi An chicken rice |
| Gaeng hang lay | White rose dumplings |
Which is cheaper?
Chiang Mai and Hoi An cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $60–$140 in Chiang Mai and $60–$130 in Hoi An (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Hoi An on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,044 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 10 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Chiang Mai or Hoi An cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $60–$140 in Chiang Mai and $60–$130 in Hoi An (estimates).
+Is Chiang Mai or Hoi An better for a first trip?
Pick Chiang Mai for Doi Suthep, Old city temples, nightlife and free sights, or Hoi An for Lanterns, Japanese Covered Bridge and beaches.
+How far is Chiang Mai from Hoi An?
About 1,044 km in a straight line.