Whenever you decide to visit South Asia, you must get a chance to read and hear the comparison between Thailand and Vietnam. Ever wondered which country is best for solo or family traveling? Thailand and Vietnam emerged as the most visited tourist destinations in the Southeast Asia in recent time.
Vietnam and Thailand are both mostly the first choices of tourists. Both have delicious food, ancient temples, beaches, and natural charisma, and especially both countries are safe for traveling.
In this guide, I try to give honest reviews on the debate between Thailand and Vietnam based on my personal experience. I break down the differences between these two unique Southeast Asian destinations to help you decide where to go next.
Thailand VS Vietnam: An Overview Comparison
Beautiful beaches, cuisine, magnificent temples, scenery, history, and culture are the main attractions of Thailand. Thailand has emerged as a top tourist country in recent times just because you can travel to Thailand at any time of the year. Thailand’s food is so exceptional you would not mind eating the same dish for a couple of days. Thailand carries its legacy of hospitality and friendly behavior with tourists. If you are a fan of beaches, luxury resorts, swimming pools, and fun activities outside, then Thailand is heaven for you.
Vietnam has enough dishes to offer for tourists, from beaches to mountains. There is a perception about Vietnam that it does not have good beaches. You might be surprised to know that Vietnam has 3,260 km of coastline. Vietnam is called a nation of rivers. Both Thailand and Vietnam have the same kinds of places to offer, except for the waterfalls and mountains. In Vietnam, you get to see nature’s beauty at its peak. No wonder you fall in love with the waterfall in lush Green Mountain in Vietnam.
Vietnam and Thailand have the same kind of places to offer for tourists. The actual comparison of Vietnam vs Thailand lies in its infrastructure, food, transportation, hospitality, quality of beaches and cost of living there. Now let’s have a look at these aspects of Vietnam vs Thailand to decide which one is best:
Thailand Vs Vietnam in Beaches:
It is not denied that Thailand has more beautiful beaches than Vietnam. Because of this, most solo or family travelers choose Thailand if their purpose of traveling is to enjoy beach life. And you expect a massive crowd in Thailand.
Thailand Phuket beach clubs offer something for everyone who loves a chill or party environment. If you love to dance to the beat of DJs, don’t miss to wave on Thailand beaches. Koh Phangan is called the home of beach parties in Thailand. There are many other activities to do on the beaches of Thailand, which make the first choice for travelers, such as Swimming, volleyball, sunbathing, and water games.
If you want a peaceful environment rather than a crowded one, then Vietnam Ha Long Bay and Phu Quoc are the best places to enjoy your vacation. The most famous island of Vietnam Sailing Club, Phu Quoc, is the best to chill, eat, have fun, and, at night, have a soul-soothing view of the sunset.
| Thailand Beaches | Vietnam Beaches |
| Phuket | Phu Quoc |
| Krabi | Da Nang |
| Pattaya | Ha Long Bay |
| Koh Phi Phi | Nha Trang |
Best City to Visit in Thailand
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Ayutthaya
- Krabi
- Pai
Besides beaches, there are many other places in Thailand to make a memorable vacation for a lifetime. If you decide to visit Thailand, never miss the chance to explore the gorgeous city of all time, Bangkok. This city has a lot of enjoyment to offer its tourists, like a floating market, rooftops, restaurants, riverside bars, temples, and a lot more. Cities like Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, and Pai in Thailand enjoy hot springs and caves, historic temples, and ancient places, as well as yoga classes, live music, and delicious organic food in the town’s cafes and restaurants.
Best City to Visit in Vietnam
- Hanoi.
- Sapa
- Da Nang
- Da Nang
- Hoi An
If you are interested in learning the history and culture of Vietnam, then the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi has every answer to your queries. Visiting Ethnic Markets in Sapa is also recommended to enjoy the variety of markets. It doesn’t sound interesting to know that the market in Sapa is located on different days with a kind of variety.
Thailand Vs Vietnam: Food
Both country foods are rich in flavor, spicy, and ingredients. Thai food is far more famous than Vietnam food because of the variety of food. Thai cuisine offers a wide range of dishes, like meat-based, seafood, and vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Vietnam food is famous for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including herbs, vegetables, and seafood. Vietnam’s food culture depends on boiling and deep frying.
There is not much difference between Thai and Vietnamese food. Both are just inspired by their cultural tradition.
Thailand VS Vietnam: Visa and Entry Requirements
Vietnam has visa-free entry for the people of 25 countries. It means tourists from these 25 countries can fly to Vietnam at any time of the year. These countries are the UK, Thailand, Russia, Italy, and the rest of the list you can find here. You can get your E Visa for Vietnam from here. To travel from except these 25 countries, you must apply for a visa and wait for approval.
Thailand offers 90 countries visa-free entry. Citizens of these countries do not need to arrange a visa in advance for Thailand as they will receive a 30-day VOA upon arrival in Thailand. You can find the list of visa-free countries here.
In Conclusion, getting an entry permit in Thailand is very easy compared to Vietnam.
Thailand Vs. Vietnam infrastructure and transportation
Thailand may have a more established transportation and modern infrastructure than Vietnam. A city like Bangkok is more modern and has advanced transportation. Thailand has a modern railway station and train that connects major cities. To travel to the cities of Thailand, you must try the famous three-wheeler taxi Tuk Tuk, which you probably see in Southeast Asia countries.
Vietnam has no well-established infrastructure, which is why Vietnam lacks to attract tourists. Vietnam landscape is also a problem for many tourists. Vietnam cities are not well connected with each other. Some time you need to ride on a taxi and often you need to travel on boat.
Conclusion on Thailand Vs Vietnam
Thailand and Vietnam are both the best countries to visit. Both have similar kinds of food, places, and infrastructure. I suggest you choose Thailand because it’s most of the tourist first choice. You can spend all your day on beaches without getting bored. There are many fun activities to do, like Swimming, boating, diving, and playing volleyball on the smooth beaches in Thailand. Thailand has luxurious five-star hotels. So, if you want to spend all your day at the hotel, you can enjoy the indoor swimming pool, spend time with family, or meet unknown travelers. If you love to travel all around the world, then you should visit both these countries.
FAQ about Thailand Vs Vietnam
Thailand Vs Vietnam: Which One is More Expensive?
Both countries are budget-friendly countries for travel. But overall, Vietnam is cheaper than Thailand. Thailand is 25 – 30% more expensive than the Vietnam.
Is Vietnam more beautiful than Thailand?
Both are heaven places on this planet. But most of the tourist first choice is Thailand for their vacation. Recently, Vietnam has emerged as a more tourist country in Southeast Asia.
What is the best time to visit Vietnam?
The best time to visit Vietnam is spring and autumn, between February to April and August to November. These are ideal months to travel to Vietnam. Otherwise, you can travel any time of the month.
What is the best time to visit Thailand?
The best time to visit Thailand at any time of the year. But it is highly recommended to visit Thailand from November to April. In these months, the temperature in Thailand is not very high. But if you love the rainy season, the rainy season in Thailand usually starts in July and ends in October.
What are few interesting facts about Vietnam?
- Second largest coffee exporter
- The literacy rate in Vietnam is over 97%
- The Southern part of Vietnam is famous for floating markets
- Vietnam is one of the safest travel destinations in the world
What are few interesting facts about Thailand?
- The people in Thailand are hospitable
- An annual festival of monkeys
- The other name of Thailand is Siam
- 12% of the population speak Chinese
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