Thailand vs Vietnam Travel: Which Country Wins?
The first overseas holiday we took together as a couple was to Vietnam in 2017. We were living in Australia at the time and stumbled upon some cheap flights, so we jumped at the opportunity. It was a short trip but we managed to squeeze in a handful of destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An and Cat Ba Island. This trip really cemented our relationship, and for this reason Vietnam will always have a special place in our hearts.
Since then, we’ve gone back to Vietnam a few times exploring places like Hanoi, Ha Giang and Ninh Binh. On our latest visit, we had plans to travel around the country for several weeks. However, Cam didn’t research the weather properly for early January and we were faced with a forecast of rain. So we decided to book flights from Hanoi to Koh Samui in search of some sun. What followed was probably the best two month adventure of our lives - discovering the spectacular islands of southern Thailand.
Kat in Chiang Mai
Cam in Ninh Binh
Is it Better to Travel to Thailand or Vietnam?
We do have a slight bias (as Kat is Thai), however we believe that Thailand is still the better travel destination overall. This boils down to reliability and variety. Thailand has been welcoming visitors since the 1960s and just knows how to put on a good show, while Vietnam is still finding its feet - with tourism only picking up in the 1990s. This means that you’ll find better infrastructure, accommodation and services in The Land of Smiles.
The variety in nature also beats Vietnam in our opinion. While you can find some incredible mountain and rice paddy landscapes in northern Vietnam, Thailand has its own version of these plus some of the best islands in the world. Apart from say Phu Quoc, Vietnam isn’t exactly known for its breathtaking beaches. That being said, the one area where Thailand can no longer compete is on price and for many this is a deal breaker.
Sukhothai, Thailand
Similan Islands, Thailand
How the Cities and Nightlife Compare
Ho Chi Minh City, otherwise known as Saigon, is a place we would happily visit again. We remember arriving for the first time and witnessing the “sea of scooters”, which was very cool. The city also has great coffee and street food, beautiful colonial architecture, and some sobering war museums. But it doesn’t quite match Bangkok’s energy. Bui Vien Walking Street (Bar Street) isn’t as good as Khao San Road, and there’s nothing like the range of rooftop bars on offer such as the newly opened Iris & Wild Iris @SO.
Hanoi in the north is a bit grittier, but charming in many ways, and acts as the gateway to the north. Yet, it’s not as enjoyable as Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai for example. Da Nang actually has a decent beach for a city and probably wins out over places like Hua Hin. Although, when compared to the variety of beaches and local food of Phuket, it definitely falls short. From what we’ve seen, the only Vietnamese city that can’t be replicated in Thailand is Hoi An, with its UNESCO-listed ancient town on the river.
Riding around Hanoi
Rooftop bars of Bangkok
Thailand Wins On Beaches and Nature
As soon as you arrive in Thailand, you feel like you’re entering a tropical destination and the further south you go the more this becomes apparent. The country is blessed with two prominent coastlines, while Vietnam has one continuous coastline. Both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea are home to hundreds of beautiful islands - from Koh Kood to Koh Tao to Koh Ngai. And some of the beaches here are world-class, particularly Donald Duck Bay (the Similan Islands) and Paradise Beach (Koh Kradan).
Vietnam, of course, boasts its own natural wonders such as the steep peaks of Ha Giang and the rice terraces of Sapa. Although, they’re nothing that Thailand can’t rival in some way. You can find misty mountains in Mae Hong Son or Phu Chi Fa, and epic limestone cliffs in Khao Sok National Park. Halong Bay also features limestone karsts, but we were put off by the amount of rubbish we saw floating around. Except for remote islands like Con Dao, the coastline of Vietnam is more known for its fishing ports, choppy waters and sand dunes rather than for idyllic beach escapes.
Read more: 15 Best Beaches in Thailand: Famous Spots & Hidden Gems
Main Beach, Koh Ngai
Longtail rides in southern Thailand
Which is Best: Thai Food or Vietnamese Food?
The question of which country has the best food, Thailand or Vietnam, is an easy one for us: Thai food takes the cake any day of the week. Again, it comes down to variety, with Thailand’s cuisine just being extraordinarily diverse. Vietnamese, on the other hand, is more limited. Beef Pho, Banh Mi and Banh Xeo are all delicious but they become extremely repetitive after a few days of travel. And to be honest, we couldn’t find much else to eat apart from fresh spring rolls, and a few different soups and salads.
Moreover, Thai food is the clear winner when it comes to spice and seafood. Som Tum is a favorite of ours and we love the fresh seafood dishes, from grilled fish (Pla Pao) to steamed crab (Pu Nung). Where Vietnam does hold its own is on the drinks front. Egg coffee is surprisingly good and Hanoi Beer isn’t a bad drop either. One memorable meal we did have in Vietnam was at Bun Cha Huong Lien, a local restaurant in Hanoi where Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama famously had dinner. We ordered the same dish, Bun Cha (grilled pork soup with rice noodles), and it was fantastic.
Read more: What to Eat in Thailand: 50 Must-Try Dishes for Your Trip
Beef Pho in Vietnam
Egg coffee in Vietnam
Bun Cha Huong Lien
Choose Vietnam for a Budget Trip
Vietnam is considerably cheaper than Thailand - in fact, it’s one of the best value for money destinations in the world. It’s almost half the price, and this goes for both luxury travel and backpacking on a shoestring. Thailand has seen a steady increase in prices over the past few decades, although we still find it cheap because we’re spending New Zealand dollars at the end of the day. Having said that, prices still reflect quality in many ways.
Thailand is a wealthier country and the average hotel, restaurant, and public transport network is of a much higher standard. Vietnam is rapidly developing and catching up though, so it won’t be long until prices start to rise (in all likelihood). Spending Dong (VND) just makes you feel rich as well - the currency is so inflated that it’s not hard to become a millionaire on paper (all you need is about $40 USD). The same is true to a lesser extent for Thai Baht but it’ll take around $30,000 USD to reach millionaire status.
Backpacking in Vietnam
Rich with Vietnamese Dong
Why Thailand is Easier to Get Around
Thailand certainly beats Vietnam in ease of travel and getting around. The MRT and BTS in Bangkok are far superior to the rail networks in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and the domestic airlines in Thailand just feel safer and more reliable. Due to the long and skinny geography of both countries, it’s best to rely on flights to move from north to south. We’ve gone with VietJet a few times and it was pretty cramped. On the other hand, AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways are very comfortable.
The network of ferries and speedboats also makes it easy to go island hopping in Thailand, with well equipped piers and well established routes provided. Both destinations suit motorcyclists though, with Vietnam in particular making for a true rugged adventure on two wheels. The Ha Giang Loop is one of the country’s highlights and in all honesty out shines the Mae Hong Son Loop. Motorbikes are simply a way of life here: we once saw a mum and her four kids pile onto the same scooter, somehow all managing to squeeze in. It was the ultimate “we’re in Vietnam” moment.
Speedboat tour of the Similan Islands
Exploring Koh Mak by scooter
Does Thailand or Vietnam Have Better Weather?
Thailand stays hot pretty much all year round, wherever you go. The only catch is that it can rain a lot during the monsoon season. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s climate varies heavily depending on the region: it can actually get quite cold in the north (from December to February). As mentioned before, this is a lesson we learned the hard way. We had to book an expensive flight out of Hanoi back to Thailand in January, a month we just assumed would have warm and sunny weather (not to be the case).
The central and southern areas of Vietnam boast the typical dual climate of a distinct dry and wet season, staying hot (and at times humid) throughout both. However, they fall at different times than Thailand, so keep this in mind if you want to explore both countries on the same trip. Central Vietnam’s dry season runs from January to August, while the south aligns more with Thailand’s dry season (November to April). All in all, we’d say Thailand has a better climate but it depends on the month you’re visiting.
Sunny days in Thailand
Cat Ba Island
FAQs for Thailand vs Vietnam Travel
Is it safer to travel to Thailand or Vietnam?
We’ve never felt at risk from crime in either Thailand or Vietnam, so we’d say they are both equally safe. The biggest safety concern is always around scooters or motorbikes - some of the roads can be treacherous and the sheer volume of traffic can make it dangerous. We’ve seen a lot of travelers in Thailand banged up outside hospitals from what looked like nasty crashes. Just remember to always wear a helmet and drive cautiously.
Both Thai and Vietnamese people are very friendly, so you’ll rarely have any problems with the locals. Some of the political realities though can get you into trouble, particularly being vocally critical of the Monarchy in Thailand and the Communist regime in Vietnam. It’s strange to see Communist flags with the hammer and sickle right next to luxury Louis Vuitton stores, but this is something we witnessed in Hanoi. We also saw military tanks being transported down the streets but it didn’t feel threatening.
Read more: 50 Thailand Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go
Exploring Vietnam on scooters
Which country has easier visa and entry rules?
As it stands currently, Thailand has slightly more relaxed visa entry rules especially if you hold a US, Canadian, UK, European or Australian passport. You can visit the Kingdom visa-free for 30 days and only need to fill out a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) beforehand. Vietnam is a bit more restrictive: certain countries qualify for a 45-day visa exemption upon arrival (including the UK and many European nations). But US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders need to apply for an e-visa before traveling to Vietnam.
Read more: Thailand’s New Visa Rules: How to Stay for 60-90 Days
Is Thailand or Vietnam best for a family holiday?
In our opinion, Thailand is one of the best family holiday destinations in the world - perfectly suited to families with young kids. The country is full of beach resorts, fun activities such as waterparks and ethical elephant sanctuaries, and easy to use transport. For Vietnam, we’d recommend coming with your teenage children. They might appreciate the charm of Hoi An and Hue, and enjoy the food more than the spicy options of Thailand.
Kat in Hoi An
Final Thoughts on Thailand vs Vietnam Travel
Comparing two popular destinations such as Thailand and Vietnam is never an easy task, as they both offer so much, but from our point of view there’s a clear winner: Thailand. It just provides a more accessible travel experience and there’s still so many parts left unexplored - like the offbeat Isaan region. If you’ve got the time, visit both, but if you have to choose go with the Land of Smiles. Just watch your budget closely because it’s hard not to keep spending money in a country as captivating as this. To get inspired for your trip, be sure to read our guide on the Best Places to Visit in Thailand.
Muay Thai in Thailand
