Chiang Mai vs Hanoi

Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
Hanoi ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ
Population 1,166,978 8,053,663
Official language(s) Thai Vietnamese
Level of English Low Moderate
Main airport Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Nแป™i Bร i International Airport (HAN)
Most common months to visit November - April January, February, October - December
Currency THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) VND - Vietnamese Dong (โ‚ซ)
Credit cards Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred.
Remote worker visa No No
Average monthly costs $974 $1167
Rent $274 $503
Groceries $169 $151
Dining out $108 $134
Cafe $45 $39
Coworking space $95 $72
Mobile internet $11 $4
Public transportation $60 $20
Taxis $20 $13
Shared bicycles and scooters $10 $0
Sport and cultural events $8 $3
Museums and sights $8 $4
Nightlife $62 $89
Gym $41 $57
Yoga $55 $57
Massage $10 $21
SIM card options AIS, DTAC Viettel, Mobifone
Tipping 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%.
Taxi apps Grab Grab, GoViet
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles.
Local food specialities Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads
Eat like a local Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food
Vegetarian / vegan options 90 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow