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Thailand VS Vietnam: Which Country is Better for Tourists?

Thailand vs Vietnam? Choosing one can be hard. Known for not only their natural beauty but also their historic sites, both countries are popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.

And though they enjoy some similarities, they also differ greatly in terms of lifestyle, culture, travel experience, and more. So, what is the best place to visit?

Well, to help you make the right choice and plan a memorable trip to Thailand and Vietnam - below we have listed together the main differences between Thailand and Vietnam. Let's have a look at it!

Basic Information about Vietnam VS Thailand

Vietnam and Thailand are neighboring nations in Southeast Asia. Vietnam has a larger population than Thailand, with approximately 98 million individuals compared to Vietnam's 70 million.

However, Thailand boasts a greater national territorial expanse compared to Vietnam, covering about 513,120 square kilometers versus 331,212 square kilometers for Vietnam. Both countries have diverse landscapes, including mountains, plains, coasts, and islands.

In terms of economy, both countries have developing economies that are growing rapidly and have similar GDP per capita (around $2,700 for Vietnam and $3,000 for Thailand). Although, Thailand has a slightly higher GDP than Vietnam, with about $495 billion compared to $409 billion. Both nations heavily depend on exports, tourism, and agriculture as their primary sources of revenue.

Thailand VS Vietnam in Tourism: Both Have Highly Developed Tourism Industries

Both Thailand and Vietnam have highly developed tourism industries that offer a variety of services and options for different types of tourists. Here's a comparison of the hotel services, tour packages, and local transportation between the two countries.

Accommodation: Thailand has more options for luxury resorts and hotels, especially on the islands and beaches. Vietnam has more budget-friendly hostels and homestays, especially in the countryside and mountains. Both countries have a range of mid-range hotels and guesthouses in the cities and towns.

Tour services: Both countries have excellent tour services that include guides, vehicles, and activities. Thailand is more organized and professional, with standardized packages and itineraries. Vietnam is more flexible and adventurous, with customized options and experiences.

Domestic transportation: Both countries have sound domestic transportation systems that include public buses, trains, taxis, motorbikes, bicycles, etc. Thailand has more options for air travel. On the other hand, Vietnam has more options for water travel, such as Halong Bay Cruise and Mekong River Cruise.

Thailand Bangkoko Grand Palace
Thailand Bangkoko Grand Palace

Thailand VS Vietnam in Tour Length: Both are Worth a Long Vacation

If you are planning to visit Thailand and Vietnam, you might wonder how long you should stay in each country. The answer is: as long as you can.

However, here are the recommended tour lengths in each country:

Thailand Tour - around 7 days. This can include:
Bangkok: Spend a couple of days exploring the bustling capital city, visiting its iconic temples, markets, and trying the local street food.
Chiang Mai: Fly to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, where you can enjoy the cultural and natural attractions. You might want to explore the Old City, visit temples, and experience the local traditions.
Phuket: Head to Phuket for some relaxation on the beautiful beaches, water activities, and exploring nearby islands.

Vietnam Tour - around 8 days. This tour could cover:
Hanoi: Start your journey in the capital city, Hanoi, where you can explore its rich history and culture.
Halong Bay: Continue to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a cruise and marvel at its stunning limestone karsts.
Hoi An: Travel to Hoi An, a charming ancient town known for its well-preserved architecture and vibrant cultural scene.
Ho Chi Minh City: Conclude your tour in the bustling southern city, Ho Chi Minh City, where you can experience the dynamic urban life and explore nearby attractions.

Thailand VS Vietnam in Tour Experience: Thailand is More Tropical

Travelers can enjoy different kinds of experiences in Thailand and Vietnam, depending on their tastes.

Basically, Thailand offers a tropical charm that comes from its peaceful Buddhist and Hindu culture, which can be seen in calm temples, beautiful beaches, and relaxing spas. Thailand also has a more modern and Western society, providing comfort and options in infrastructure, services, and entertainment.

Vietnam, on the other hand, shows energy influenced by Confucianism and Taoism, which can be seen in busy cities, stunning landscapes, and genuine villages. It’s famous for its delicious cuisine, history, and customs. However, traveling in Vietnam, while rich in cultural experiences, can sometimes pose difficulties for tourists due to potential language barriers, varying customs and traditions, and navigating bustling city streets, which can be more chaotic compared to some other destinations. Still, these challenges often add to the unique and enriching experience of exploring Vietnam's diverse and vibrant culture.

Thailand VS Vietnam in Tourist Cost: Both are Affordable

Thailand and Vietnam are both affordable destinations for travelers who want to enjoy Southeast Asia without breaking the bank.

Both countries have low costs of living and offer cheap accommodation, transportation, food, tours, activities, etc. However, there are some differences in the prices of various items and services in each country.

The table below summarizes the average costs of some everyday items and services in Thailand and Vietnam:

Item/Service

Thailand

Vietnam

Accommodation (per night)

$10-$100

$5-$80

Food (per day)

$10-$30

$5-$20

Transportation (per day)

$5-$15

$3-$10

Tours/Activities (per day)

$10-$50

$5-$40

Thailand VS Vietnam in Best Season to Visit: Different Climates Features

Thailand and Vietnam are both year-round destinations, but some seasons are more favorable than others, depending on your preferences and plans.

In general, the best season to visit Thailand and Vietnam is the dry season, which lasts from November to April in most areas.

The dry season offers the most pleasant weather, with sunny days, clear skies, and cool to warm temperatures. You can enjoy outdoor activities, such as sightseeing, hiking, biking, kayaking, etc., without worrying about rain or heat. You can also visit the beaches and islands, which are at their best during this season.

However, the dry season also has some drawbacks, such as higher prices, more crowds, and lower water levels in some rivers and waterfalls. If you want to avoid these issues, you can also consider visiting during the wet season, which lasts from May to October in most areas.

The wet season offers lower prices, fewer tourists, and greener landscapes. You can also experience some of the local festivals and events that take place during this season. However, you should also be prepared for heavy rain, high humidity, and possible floods and typhoons.

Halong Bay tour
November to April is the best time to visit Vietman and Thailand.

Thailand VS Vietnam in Local Transportation: Vietnam is Famous for Traffic Jams

Thailand and Vietnam have different modes of local transportation that you can use to get around the cities and towns. However, you should also be aware of the traffic conditions and driving styles in each country.

Thailand has a more convenient and comfortable local transportation system. Besides, it is famous for its tuk-tuks and songthaews, which are colorful and fun vehicles that can take you short distances. There are also more options for air travel, with several domestic flights connecting major cities.

Vietnam has a more chaotic and crowded local transportation system. It is famous for its traffic jams and hectic driving style, which can be stressful and dangerous for travelers. Along the coast and rivers, you'll also find more options for water travel, such as cruises and ferries.

Thailand VS Vietnam in Local Food: Both are Well-Known

Thailand and Vietnam are both well-known for their delicious and diverse local food that you can enjoy during your trip.

Thailand has a more spicy and sweet local food, with dishes that use ingredients such as chili, coconut milk, lemongrass, lime, etc. You can also find more influences from Indian and Chinese cuisines in Thai food. Some of the popular dishes in Thailand are pad thai (stir-fried noodles), tom yum (hot and sour soup), green curry (coconut-based curry), etc.

Vietnam has a more sour and salty local food, with Vietnamese dishes that use ingredients such as fish sauce, vinegar, herbs, rice noodles, etc. You can also find more influences from French and Southeast Asian cuisines in Vietnamese food. Some of the popular dishes in Vietnam are pho (noodle soup), banh mi (sandwich), spring rolls (fried or fresh rolls), etc.

Thailand cuisine
Thailand cuisine

Thailand VS Vietnam in Safety: Both are Safe to Visit

Thailand and Vietnam are both safe to visit overall, but there are some risks and dangers that travelers might face in each country. You should take some precautions to avoid problems and enjoy your trip.

Thailand has a more stable political situation than Vietnam, with fewer protests and conflicts. However, Thailand has more issues with crime and violence, especially in the southern provinces with an ongoing insurgency. You should also be careful of scams, thefts, accidents, illnesses, etc. in Thailand.

Vietnam has a tenser political situation than Thailand, with more protests and conflicts. However, Vietnam has fewer issues with crime and violence, especially in the rural areas where there is less poverty. You should also be careful of scams, traffic jams, thefts, accidents, illnesses, etc. in Vietnam.

Thailand VS Vietnam in Accessibility: Both are Very Easy to Reach

Thailand and Vietnam are both very easy to reach by air or land from other parts of the world.

Both countries have many international airports with frequent flights from various destinations. Thailand has more international airports than Vietnam, with 28 airports compared to 21.

● The main airport in Thailand is Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, one of Asia's busiest airports.

● The main airport in Vietnam is Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, which is also one of the busiest airports in Asia.

Thailand and Vietnam also have similar border crossings and ports with neighboring countries. Thailand shares land borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, while Vietnam shares land borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia.

Both countries have access to the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea, with many ports and islands.

Thailand VS Vietnam in Visa Application: Both are Easy to Obtain

In Thailand and Vietnam, visa exemptions and online options make getting a visa easy for most nationalities. However, how to apply visas for Thailand and Vietnam tour? There are some differences in each country's visa requirements and procedures.

Thailand offers visa-free entry for up to 30 days for citizens of 64 countries and visa on arrival for up to 15 days for citizens of 18 countries. Vietnam offers visa-free entry for up to 15 days for citizens of 24 countries and visa on arrival for up to 30 days for citizens of 80 countries.

Both Thailand and Vietnam offer an electronic visa (e-visa) system that allows travelers to apply for a visa online and receive it by email.

thailand-visa
Thailand visa

The Best Way to Explore Thailand and Vietnam Together

The best way to explore Thailand and Vietnam together is to combine the highlights of both countries in a single trip. A 1-2 week Thailand and Vietnam tour can lead you to the most remarkable attractions in both countries.

You can start from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and enjoy its rich culture, nightlife, and shopping. Then, you can take a flight or a bus to Laos, a landlocked country that shares borders with both Thailand and Vietnam. You can visit the ancient city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire its temples, palaces, and waterfalls.

From there, you can cross the border to Vietnam and discover the country's diverse landscapes. You can visit Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and see its colonial architecture, museums, and lakes. You can also take a cruise to Halong Bay, a natural wonder with thousands of limestone islands and caves.

Alternatively, you can head south to Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam, and experience its modernity, chaos, and charm. You can also visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passages used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. From Ho Chi Minh City, you can fly back to Bangkok or continue your journey to other destinations in Southeast Asia.

Wrapping Up

To plan your trip and take advantage of the unique features in Thailand and Vietnam, at Indochina Tour, we offer custom itineraries that are designed according to your specific needs. Our highly experienced professionals provide invaluable guidance, so no matter if you visit Thailand, Vietnam, or both — we'll make it a memorable experience for you!

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