Thailand vs Vietnam – A Comparison Guide
Carina
TL;DR
Vietnam vs Thailand: Where to travel next?
We have travelled to both Thailand and Vietnam to answer questions like:
- Is it better to go to Thailand or Vietnam?
- Is Thailand cheaper than Vietnam?
- Is Thailand or Vietnam safer?
And many more in our comprehensive FAQ on Thailand vs Vietnam.
Quick Answer: Thailand or Vietnam
The quick answer is: It depends.
In very general terms, we would say go to Thailand if you’re a beach person and to Vietnam if you’re more into hiking, adventure, and scenery.
Similarities Vietnam vs Thailand
Both Vietnam and Thailand
- Are in Southeast Asia.
- Have a tropical climate.
- Have a rich cultural heritage influenced by Buddhism as well as indigenous traditions.
- Have internationally recognised cuisines.
- Are popular with backpackers.
Thailand vs Vietnam FAQ
Thailand vs Vietnam – General Information
Is Thailand Worth the Hype? |
Is Vietnam Worth the Hype? |
| Yes! | Yes! |
What is Thailand Known For |
What is Vietnam Known For |
Thailand is known for:
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Vietnam is known for:
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Visa and Entry Thailand vs Vietnam |
Visa and Entry Vietnam |
|
We are blessed with a strong passport: 30 days of visa-free entry.
Check your country’s rules and regulations! |
We are blessed with a strong passport: 45 days of visa-free entry.
Check your country’s rules and regulations! |
Is Thailand Safe? |
Is Vietnam Safe? |
| Yes. As a reference, the U.S. State Department rates Thailand Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. | Yes. As a reference, the U.S. State Department rates Vietnam Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. |
Best Time to Visit Thailand |
Best Time to Visit Vietnam |
|
Mostly November - March (dry season).
Gulf of Thailand islands: Also July to September. Keep in mind the smoky season! |
November - April dry season.
Keep in mind the smoky season and that northern Vietnam can get very cold (snow!) in winter. |
Thailand Travel Costs |
Vietnam Travel Costs |
|
With roughly the same travel style, Thailand is a bit more expensive than Vietnam.
We paid around 40$ per person and day. |
With roughly the same travel style, Vietnam is a bit cheaper than Thailand.
We paid around 30$ per person and day. |
Winner: Both
Thailand vs Vietnam – Which Is Better For Beginners?
Thailand Language |
Vietnam Language |
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The official language is Thai. The alphabet is completely different from the Latin alphabet so it’s hard to read local signs.
We never had any problems getting by with English as many locals speak English and many signs are bilingual. |
The official language is Vietnamese. The alphabet is the Latin alphabet with special characters so it’s mostly readable if you can read English.
We never had any problems getting by with English as many locals speak English. |
Getting Around in Thailand |
Getting Around in Vietnam |
For long distances, you have the option to take
|
For long distances, you have the option to take
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Thailand Convenience of Travel |
Vietnam Convenience of Travel |
|
The tourist infrastructure is amazing!
You can book tickets online or at local travel agencies. The night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is almost a must for travellers. We found buses convenient for long distances as well. We also enjoyed our ferry rides – from the fast boat to the overnight ferry with beds. |
The tourist infrastructure is amazing!
You can book tickets online or at local travel agencies. We are huge fans of Vietnamese sleeper buses which are super convenient. In our opinion, they are better than the trains. |
Thailand Travel Scene |
Vietnam Travel Scene |
| We found a good travellers scene in Thailand as well as Vietnam. We met everything from backpackers over flashpackers to tourists, from solo travellers over couples to families in both countries. | The major advantage of Vietnam is that EVERYBODY travels north to south or vice versa. That way you meet the same people at different destinations and you can easily link up your itineraries in case you want to socialise. |
Thailand Accommodation |
Vietnam Accommodation |
| In Vietnam, you can find everything from backpacker hostels to luxury accommodations. There is also a huge range of amazing resorts on the beach at great value. |
In Vietnam, you can find everything from backpacker hostels to luxury accommodations. The prices are generally lower than in Thailand.
Personally, we fell in love with homestays.  Travel Planing How to Find your Perfect Vietnam HomestayHomestay Vietnam Guide - including the best places to stay! Carina · 5 min read Open blogpost |
Winner: Both
Thailand vs Vietnam – Best Things to Do – Cities
Top Things to Do in Thailand |
Top Things to Do in Vietnam |
The best places to visit in Thailand are:
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The best places to visit in Vietnam are:
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Thailand First City: Bangkok |
Vietnam First City: Ho Chi Minh City |
| Bangkok is the capital of Thailand as well as the largest city with around 10 Mio inhabitants. There’s everything from street food to rooftop bars, from markets to modern shopping malls, from hostels to luxury hotels.The city is huge and you have to move around a lot to get to different areas like Khao San, Chinatown or Sukhumvit. Public transport is decent with BTS and MRT trains as well as river taxis. | Bangkok is the capital of Vietnam as well as the largest city with around 9 Mio inhabitants. Although similar in size, Ho Chi Minh City feels much more intimate and is more walkable. Most points of interest are in District 1, except Cholon.You can find the same amenities as in Bangkok with a smaller selection.Instead of public transport, you have to rely on taxi apps. |
Thailand Second City: Chiang Mai |
Vietnam Second City: Hanoi |
| Chiang Mai is the second most popular city with tourists. With 130,000 inhabitants it’s significantly smaller than Bangkok. Chiang Mai is located in the north of Thailand. It’s a hub for digital nomads/expats and an ideal base to head to the nearby mountains. It’s full of history and culture as well as an impressive coffee scene. | Hanoi is the second largest city in Vietnam. With 8 Mio inhabitants, it is almost as large as Ho Chi Minh City and it’s even more popular with tourists than the capital.Like Chiang Mai, it is a great base to explore the mountains of northern Vietnam, it is full of history and delicious coffee shops.In general, Hanoi is a bit colder than Chiang Mai and the digital nomad/expat community is not as pronounced. |
Winner: Thailand
Thailand vs Vietnam – Best Things to Do – Activities
Thailand Motorbike Loop |
Vietnam Motorbike Loop |
| The most famous motorbike loop in Thailand is the Mae Hong Son Loop in the north of the country. | The most famous motorbike loop in Vietnam is the Ha Giang Loop in the north of the country.It’s supposed to be more scenic than the Mae Hong Son Loop. Easy riders are easily available! |
Thailand Hiking and Nature |
Vietnam Hiking and Nature |
| You can do some great trekking – including multi-day treks with homestays in local hill tribe communities – in northern Thailand. |
While you can hike both in Northern Thailand and in Northern Vietnam, Vietnam wins this category. It is much less touristy and feels much more remote.
Additionally, the rice paddies, especially in Sapa, are just gorgeous. We recommend an overnight trek: |
Winner: Vietnam
Thailand vs Vietnam – Best Things to Do – Beaches
Thailand Beaches |
Vietnam Beaches |
Thailand is an absolute beach paradise. There are some nice beaches on the mainland like
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While there are some nice beaches in Vietnam, we don’t think it’s the prime reason to go.
The best beaches in Vietnam can be found in
|
Thailand Islands |
Vietnam Islands |
The most popular islands in Thailand can be found in the Gulf of Thailand:
|
By far the most popular island in Vietnam is Phu Quoc.
Virtually all other islands (Con Dau, Cham Islands, Hon Tre, Ly Son, Ba Lua Islands, Man Du, Binh Ba) fly under the radar for most tourists – we have not visited any of them. |
Winner: Thailand
Thailand vs Vietnam – Best Things to Do – Food and Nightlife
Thailand Food |
Vietnam Food |
| Thai food is amazing – from Pad Thai to curries! |
We like Vietnamese food. Pho, Banh Mi, and Vietnamese coffee are a must!
We did meet travellers who were disappointed with Vietnamese food and thought it was not varied enough and too bland. It does not seem to be for everyone… |
Nightlife Thailand |
Nightlife Vietnam |
|
Thailand is a nightlife hub.
The Full Moon Party is world famous. Khao San Road in Bangkok is the quintessential backpacker party experience. There are countless other nightlife hubs in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, … |
While nightlife overall is tamer in Vietnam than in Thailand, we found Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh City wilder and more fun than Khao San Road.
In Hanoi, you can have a lot of fun in “Beer Street”. Other tourist places like Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang or Hue do have a nightlife scene but it’s nowhere as buzzing as in Thailand. |
Winner: Thailand
Thailand vs Vietnam – Which Should You Visit?
Thailand How Long to Stay |
Vietnam How Long to Stay |
| To get a glimpse of Bangkok, Northern and Southern Thailand, you should allow for at least two weeks: |
To get a glimpse of, Northern and Southern Vietnam, you should allow for at least two weeks.
If you concentrate on either the north or the south, one week is the minimum: |
Thailand Conclusion |
Vietnam Conclusion |
You Should Choose Thailand If
|
You Should Choose Vietnam If
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Many online guides say that you should choose Thailand over Vietnam if you’re a beginner traveller. We think that the tourist infrastructure in both countries is amazing and they are both equally beginner-friendly so you can choose based on your preferences: If you’re a beach person like us, you will enjoy Thailand, if you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, you will enjoy Vietnam.
Thailand or Vietnam: Our Personal Conclusion
Personally, we would choose Thailand again and again – and it’s one of the few destinations we have actually returned to and plan to do so again. Why? Because we are beach people! Yes, we like Thai food and enjoy the hustle and bustle of Bangkok as well as the atmosphere in northern Thailand but what brings us back are the amazing beaches. We just love to island hop, we can sit on the beach for days, and we enjoy scuba diving and snorkelling. After having visited 60 countries, Thailand is still the Asian destination which combines these things best for us.
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