Thailand vs Vietnam Summary Table
| Thailand | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism Infrastructure | Robust infrastructure and easy to travel between destinations Systems are well established to cater to large volume of annual tourists | Well serviced, but more planning required for western visitors due to language barriers together with general lack of clear internal travel information |
| Scenic destinations | Beaches and islands of Southern Thailand Wats and rich cultural heritage Rainforests and mountains | Ha Long Bay world heritage site Spectacular mountain scenery largely unspoilt by development Historical ancient town of Hoi An |
| Best beaches | Southern island of Phuket Pattaya, Krabi and Koh Samui | Central Vietnam areas of Da Nang and Nha Trang Southern Vietnam Island of Pho Quoc |
| Food | Many hot spicy cuisines consisting of fresh local ingredients Famous food: Tom yum goong (spicy soup dish) | Milder cuisine consisting of fresh locally sourced ingredients Famous food: Pho (noodle based soup) |
| Safety | Popular tourist destinations considered safe to visit with low level of crime toward tourists | Low risk for most visitors |
| Accommodation | Large range of options to suit all budgets Boutique hotels to world class hotels and resorts catering to western standards | Budget to high end accommodation in larger tourist destinations Homestays and budget hotels in some locations may not suit western standards |
| Value for money | Good value for money and greater range of accommodation, tours, and transport | Best value for money for accommodation, tours, transport, and food |
Tourism Infrastructure Thailand vs Vietnam
Due to the volume of tourists Thailand receives each year, travel is relatively well organised, and it is easy to travel between destinations. Flights are plentiful within Thailand with multiple daily flights available between cities.
Bangkok the capital is well serviced by buses, rail, and public transport. Although at times Bangkok does become gridlocked given the sheer volume of traffic. Other cities and the seaside tourist hotspots have buses, taxis and rideshare services.
Many hotels and larger restaurants in Thailand now accept credit card however you may still find smaller establishments only accepting cash, so it is a good idea to also have cash on hand.
For self-transport there are many car and bike hire options, and this can be a cost effective form of transport. However, it should be noted that Thailand’s roads are notorious for accidents and unless you are an experienced driver or bike rider it is advisable to be cautious when hiring cars or motorbikes. Check that your insurance covers hiring bikes or cars before proceeding with this option.
Travelling Vietnam is relatively easy as daily flights are available to major tourist destinations. Large cities have a variety of public transport options such as taxis and rideshare which are easy to navigate.
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Vietnam does not yet have a mass transit rail infrastructure in the cities. However, Ho Chi Minh City is currently constructing a metro system with is due to begin operations within the next few years.
Travel from north to south and reverse is possible by rail and buses with varying levels of comfort available. Purchasing tickets at bus and rail stations can be challenging due to language barriers however tourism operators can often assist and online booking sites such as 12Go which we have used many times are easy to use and highly recommended as safe reliable choices for purchasing transport tickets.
As with Thailand the roads are chaotic and in Vietnam although car and motorbike hire options are readily available. Although tempting it is not advisable to hire motorbikes or cars unless you are experienced.
Vietnam is not the place to learn how to ride a motorbike. Again should you feel inclined to do so insurance is a must.
Both Thailand and Vietnam have rideshare available with Grab the major player in this space. You will also find food delivery services as both countries now embrace home delivery services.
For Tourism Infrastructure Thailand is the overall winner. However, Vietnam is also well serviced, but it does take slightly more planning for western visitors mainly due to language barriers together with general lack of clear internal travel information.
Scenic tourism destinations
Thailand and Vietnam although close geographically, offer different types of scenery and it is impossible to choose one over the other as they are both unique countries with different landscapes.
Notable sights in Vietnam
The popular scenic destinations of Vietnam include Ha Long Bay which attracts visitors from around the world to this UNESCO world heritage site that is home to over 1600 mostly uninhabited islands and limestone pillars that form the bay. Ha Long Bay is a must visit natural wonder of Vietnam and without a doubt on the top of many visitors list of places to see in Vietnam.
The starting point for visiting Ha Long Bay is Hanoi the capital of Vietnam. Hanoi is a major city and has one of the busiest international airports.
Hanoi is also a convenient starting destination for visiting the town of Sa Pa in the Northwest region of Vietnam. It is home to various ethnic hilltribes that tend terraced rice paddy fields and due to its altitude of approximately 1,500m above sea level is cooler year round.
The town of Sa Pa and surrounding area makes it a popular destination for those looking for spectacular mountain scenery largely unspoilt by development.
For a glimpse of Vietnams past a visit to the ancient town of Hoi An is a must. This UNESCO world heritage site is protected from development and although very touristy the town has many historical buildings and well worth visiting. The closest city to Hoi An is Da Nang which also has an international airport.
Notable sights of Thailand
The famous beaches and islands of Southern Thailand are on the top of list for scenic locations of Thailand and one of the major drawcards for tourists. For natural beauty they are hard to beat and It’s no wonder the islands off Phuket have been featured in many Hollywood films.
Throughout Thailand you will find many breathtaking sights, from the scenic mountain areas of Mae Hong Song in Northern Thailand to the historical Buddhist wats and temples that can be found throughout the country.
Each location in Thailand has its own unique attraction and what you visit will only be limited by the amount of time you have available to explore.
Unfortunately many visitors only get to visit the main hubs of Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui with even fewer overall going to places such as Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Pai. However there is so much more to Thailand to be discovered and if you can extend your visit to take in some of the less visited destinations you will soon discover many hidden gems.
For Scenic tourism destinations Thailand vs Vietnam no clear winner as each offer unique landscapes and will depend on what you are looking for.
Best beaches Thailand vs Vietnam
If you enjoy lazing on long sandy stretches of beach you will be in for a treat in both Thailand and Vietnam, and both have some of the most spectacular beaches in the world.
Thailand’s best known beach is the southern island of Phuket, known worldwide as a tourist hotspot hosting millions of visitors annually. Staying in this region you can spend your days relaxing on the beaches or take day trips to neighbouring islands.
Popular activities include water sports such as paragliding, jet skiing, snorkelling, or diving the reefs. For those that just want to relax swimming in the crystal-clear waters or lazing under an umbrella it is hard to beat Phuket and it is no wonder many visitors return each year to this island paradise.
As a major Thailand tourist hub Phuket has a well-developed tourism industry with multiple day trips available to spectacular nearby islands. For a taste of what’s available click here for reviews and booking information.
To cater to the many annual visitors Phuket has many world class resorts suitable for all budgets and is well known as an affordable holiday destination especially visitors from Australia. Phuket is also well serviced with an international airport with multiple daily flights from inside Thailand and destinations worldwide.
Click here to check pricing and reviews of resorts and hotels in Phuket
Other popular beach locations of Thailand include Pattaya which is approximately 1 hour drive from Bangkok, Krabi in Southern Thailand, and the island paradise of Koh Samui which is known for health retreats. Each of these locations offer different facilities but one thing in common is the beautiful beaches of Thailand.
The best known beaches of Vietnam include the central Vietnam areas of Da Nang and Nha Trang.
Da Nang beach area stretches from Da Nang city along the coastline to the beaches of Hoi An such as the popular An Bang Beach. The beaches have crystal clear waters and are popular for local Vietnamese vacations as well as international tourists.
We often include Da Nang in our Vietnam itinerary and have noticed over the years increasing development along the foreshore due to the increasing popularity of this region of Vietnam.
World class Resorts and upmarket hotels line the foreshore between Da Nang and Hoi An with most having direct beach access. The resorts mainly cater to foreigners and offer all the amenities you would expect from 4 and 5 star establishments.
If you are planning a visit to Da Nang click here for resort pricing and reviews
Further south the coastal city of Nha Trang is also known for its long sandy beaches. It too has many resort style accommodations and attracts many visitors from European countries looking for warm climate seaside vacations.
Nha Trang beach has something for everyone and is definitely worth visiting. It offers island-hopping boat trips to many of the nearby unspoilt islands, reef diving, snorkelling and power boat activities. It is also the steppingstone to nearby amusement park of Vinpearl Land.
Check here for Nha Trang hotel and resorts pricing
Venturing further south the southern Vietnam Island of Pho Quoc has a myriad of crystal clear beaches including the beautiful Sao Beach at the south of the island to the unique Starfish beach on the north of the island. Which is often home to thousands of tiny starfish.
Pho Quoc does not have as many visitors as other better known beachside locations of Vietnam but for those that do visit it has much to offer and a great place to visit for those wanting to avoid the crowds of larger tourist hubs of Vietnam.
So, who has the best beaches? Vietnam or Thailand? It is difficult to pick a hands down winner as both have spectacular beaches and natural beauty, but Thailand would be slightly ahead of Vietnam due to the volume of locations and tourism infrastructure.
Food of Thailand and Vietnam
Having lived in both countries, we can without a doubt say food lovers will be in for a treat when visiting Thailand and Vietnam and we break down what each has to offer.
Thailand uses rice as a staple for many of its dishes and most are spicy. If you enjoy hot spicy cuisine, then you are in the right place. Authentic Thai food ranges from hot to very hot. Flavours are further enhanced from additional spices and herbs.
First time visitors are often surprised by the flavours and heat of the true authentic Thai food, as it is vastly different from what they are used to in typical Thai restaurants in their home country.
Normally Thai food outside of Thailand is much milder as specific herbs and spices are not always available in other countries, and the dishes tend to be designed to suit western tastes. It’s not until you visit Thailand that you learn what true Thai food is really like.
Different regions of Thailand have specific local variations with pork, chicken, and seafood often being the main ingredients. Outside of the major cities where just about any kind of food is available, local variations are largely dependent on the availability of regional produce.
Wet Markets offer an overwhelming selection of local produce including fruit, vegetables, chicken, pork, seafood, spices, and sweet desserts. The local population eat out for most meals and as a result you will find street venders selling everything imaginable on what seems every street corner.
Many of our most notable meals have been from small street venders costing around 1 to 2 dollars per dish.
It is worth visiting Thailand just for the food. It is that good.
Vietnam also has a large array of traditional dishes, and it wasn’t until we spent an extended period in Vietnam that we came to appreciate just how good it is. Vietnam food also consist of many herbs and spices but one advantage for visitors that may not be used to hot food is that in general Vietnamese dishes are much milder.
The main staple to many dishes in Vietnam is rice and noodles. Soup dishes such as pho is available countrywide with regional variations added depending on available local ingredients.
The past French influence has resulted in a variety of bread based options such as the famous Bahn Mi which can be found throughout Vietnam traditionally for sale in the mornings. Many variations exist of this cheap and delicious meal depending on where in Vietnam you are visiting.
Vietnam is also one of the world’s largest produces of coffee and the second largest exporter of coffee after Brazil. Coffee consumption is a popular pastime and Vietnam has a well-deserved reputation for producing many unique variations of coffee drinks. No visit throughout Vietnam would be complete without sampling the different variations such as coconut, egg, and yogurt coffee, or the extra strong drip coffee popular with locals.
Wet Markets operate daily throughout towns and cities offering a wide variety of fresh produce including poultry, pork, seafood, fruit and vegetables, spices, coffee and much more.
Food in Vietnam is cheap, plentiful, and fresh, and visitors soon discover the delights of the rich flavourful Vietnamese cuisines.
For food of Thailand and Vietnam both have much to offer and we recommend sampling as many different dishes as possible.
Which is safer, Thailand or Vietnam?
As with all unfamiliar destinations it is always wise to be aware of your surroundings. Fortunately both Thailand and Vietnam are considered very safe and do not have the levels of crime that can be found in many countries. Violent crime is very low, and we have never felt uneasy in either country.
Certainly they have some crime, but it is usually in the form of opportunistic crime such as petty theft or someone on a motorbike in Vietnam snatching a phone from a person crossing the road. These unfortunate incidents do happen to unsuspecting tourists but not often and they are quite easy to avoid by being cautious when in crowded situations.
The Vietnamese and Thai people are both very gentle and will often go out of there way to help rather than threaten. Of the major crime that is reported it is often between Thai’s or Vietnamese and not targeted towards tourists.
Street venders in both countries will try to extract as much money as they can, from tourists unfamiliar with local pricing by quoting higher prices, but this is part of the culture of both countries as bargaining is a way of life and it is not what would be considered as crime.
There are also instances in both Thailand and Vietnam where unsuspecting tourists have been lured into bars and significantly overcharged for drinks. This happens more in the tourist hotspots and usually target single foreigners that may be looking for company.
You will always find exceptions but overall you can visit both countries and feel safe.
For Thailand vs Vietnam safety both are considered safe holiday destinations.
Accommodation Thailand vs Vietnam
Overall Thailand and Vietnam accommodation is considered cheap compared to many other destinations. Resorts, hotels, homestays, and Airbnb are all available in both countries and priced depending on location, style, and popularity of the destination.
If you are visiting from a country such as our home of Australia, accommodation is much cheaper than the equivalent that we would have to pay in Australia. Which is one of the main reasons Thailand and Vietnam holidays are so attractive as your dollar stretches much further.
Although Thailand accommodation is cheap you can also find the ultimate in luxury and some of the best hotels we have ever stayed during our world travels have been in Thailand. We had the pleasure of spending a couple of nights at 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai and the spectacular 137 Pillars Suites and residences in Bangkok both of which are world class hotels.
The tourist hubs in Thailand offer many options, from small independent and boutique hotels to 5 star international hotel chains. Staff at the popular hotels can often speak English and services are similar to what visitors expect.
Visitors to Vietnam’s large tourist hubs will easily find western style accommodation including large international hotel chains with modern amenities. However English is not as common at some hotels and although it is mostly not difficult to communicate, westerners sometimes have challengers.
Outside of the large Vietnamese cities you will find many homestays and although these offer excellent value for money, standards are sometimes less than what westerners expect. For instance, wet rooms with shower and toilet in the same room is common. You will also find wet rooms in Thailand accommodation but from our experience we have noticed it much more in Vietnam.
For Thailand vs Vietnam accommodation Thailand has more choices for western style accommodation than Vietnam so is the clear winner. Vietnam by contrast offers better value for money but often not to the standards westerners expect.
Best value for money Thailand or Vietnam
Thailand and Vietnam both offer excellent value for money with the currency of Thailand being the Thai Baht (BHT) and the currency used in Vietnam being the Vietnamese dong (VND). Expect to budget relatively similar amounts for stays in either country depending on your level of comfort.
Costs to visit each country naturally depends on global currency fluctuations with the currency of your home country, together with your expectations regarding style of travel.
Both Vietnam and Thailand offer budget friendly accommodation compared to other destinations, as well as high end 5 star hotels and resorts at major tourist destinations throughout both countries and tourists are often surprised just how budget-friendly accommodation, food and transport are in either country.
However, overall Vietnam is cheaper than Thailand. Having said that, Thailand has more choices and is visited by more tourists. This is partly assisted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand which has a high profile actively promoting Thailand.
Tourism plays a major role of the economy of Thailand and generates considerable annual income, thereby contributing to Thailand’s growth as a major tourism hub for southeast Asia.
By contrast Vietnam is less developed outside of the major tourist hubs and visitors from western English speaking countries sometimes find it challenging navigating travel due partly to English not being as widely understood and the limited tourism infrastructure. Although Vietnam is a popular destination, tourism from western countries is considerably less than neighbouring Thailand.
So, is Thailand or Vietnam cheaper? Overall Vietnam provides slightly better value for money for accommodation, tours, transport, and food, but Thailand offers more value for money due to the range of options available.
Final words on Thailand vs Vietnam
We hope our insight into Thailand vs Vietnam has helped you decide which country is right for you. Both are fascinating destinations with rich cultural heritage and offer so much for anyone planning a visit.
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Wow! My family and I have been to Thailand, we have enjoyed it so much! very good information. The cultural difference from Nerja in Spain where I live to Thailand is enormous and it took us a few days to adapt, in the end everything was great.