Thailand Vs Vietnam? An Honest Comparison From 6 Months Of Travel
Thailand Vs Vietnam? This Post Will Help Choose
Thailand vs Vietnam might look similar on a map, but these neighbouring countries couldn’t be more different when it comes to the travel experience.
If you’re stuck between these two Southeast Asian favourites, you’re not alone. I spent three and a half months exploring Vietnam and nearly three months in Thailand, and even after all that time, I struggled to pick a clear winner. Both countries pulled at me in completely different ways.
The questions everyone asks are usually the same. Which one costs less? Where’s the food actually better? Which place gives you more to see and do? These are fair concerns when you’re planning a trip, especially if you’re travelling solo or with a partner and want to make sure you’re picking the right destination.
Here’s what I learned from spending half a year between these two countries. Vietnam hits you with raw energy and incredibly fresh flavours, whilst Thailand wraps you in convenience and variety. Vietnam can save you serious money on accommodation and street food, but Thailand’s infrastructure makes everything ridiculously easy. The food debate? That’s almost impossible to settle because they’re brilliant in totally different ways.
Whether you’re a solo traveller wanting to meet other backpackers or a couple looking for your next adventure together, understanding these differences will help you figure out which country matches what you’re actually looking for. Not which one is “better,” because that’s the wrong question entirely.
Before you book anything, though, make sure you’ve sorted your travel insurance and checked your Southeast Asia Packing List.
Trust me, getting these basics right makes the whole trip smoother, whichever country you choose.
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Costs
Vietnam wins on costs, and it’s not even close.
I’m talking significantly cheaper across almost everything: food, accommodation, and transport between destinations.
On my birthday in Vietnam, I ordered a massive seafood hotpot from Lẩu Nướng Các Món Nhậu that could have easily fed four people. The bill came to $10.00. In Thailand, that same meal would have cost me triple, maybe more.
Even the small things add up. ATM fees in Vietnam hovered around $2.00 per withdrawal, whilst Thailand charged me closer to $6.00 every time I needed cash. Over a three-month trip, those extra dollars matter.
Thailand didn’t beat Vietnam on a single cost front that I can remember.
If your budget is tight, Vietnam stretches your money further without making you feel like you’re missing out on anything.
Read My 4 Day Itinerary For Bangkok With In-Depth Detail
The Landscape
This one’s trickier because both countries deliver completely different landscapes.
Sapa in Vietnam is still one of the most visually stunning places I’ve ever been.
Standing there with Fansipan (Read my guide to Fansipan Cable Car) to my right and Cat Cat village sprawling below to my left, surrounded by rice terraces that seemed to go on forever, that’s the image that stuck with me long after I left.
Vietnam takes the mountains and viewpoints. Thailand has Doi Inthanon (watch my vlog about that here), but it doesn’t quite match up to the dramatic peaks you’ll find across northern Vietnam.
Where Thailand absolutely demolishes Vietnam is the beaches. Da Nang Beach was superb, don’t get me wrong, but it felt overly regulated with so much development happening around it.
The beaches of Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta, and Phi Phi were next level. When we first saw Koh Lanta’s coastline, we extended our stay by several more weeks.
That’s how good they were.
Thailand also surprised me with unique accommodation experiences like the floating bungalows in Khao Sok, which added another dimension to the landscape you just don’t get in Vietnam.
Explore The Best Things To Do In Koh Lipe, Thailand
The Food
If I had to pick one dish from each country, it would be massaman curry from Thailand and phở bò from Vietnam, with honourable mentions to egg coffee from Vietnam and pad thai with prawns from Thailand.
The street food scene in Vietnam felt rawer and more authentic.
You’re eating where locals eat, squatting on plastic stools, watching your food get made right in front of you. I’ve rounded up some of my favourite spots in my guide to the best restaurants in Hanoi. Thailand’s street food is brilliant too, but it often felt more polished and tourist-friendly.
I only had one truly awful food experience in Thailand, a small restaurant on Koh Chang where the lady had to go next door to heat up our curry from a plastic bag.
Honestly, it was the worst meal I’d had in months.
But that was the exception in three months of eating my way through the country.
Most meals, especially around places like Koh Lanta (check out my restaurant recommendations there), were absolutely spot on.
Papaya salad took me a while to appreciate. I didn’t get it at first, but now I eat it almost every day when I’m in Thailand, with amazing peanuts mixed through.
Sometimes your palate needs time to adjust.
Let’s Compare Indonesia Vs Thailand For Another Option
Visa Requirements
Thailand keeps things straightforward for most travellers.
You get 30 days on arrival, then you can extend for another 30 days without much hassle.
I went from Koh Lanta to the Krabi immigration office, got the paperwork printed at my hotel (literally one form that they signed), and walked out with another month approved.
Vietnam requires more planning upfront. I sorted a 90-day single-entry visa before arriving, which gave me the full time I needed without any border runs. You can pay more for a multiple-entry visa if you’re planning to pop in and out of neighbouring countries.
For digital nomads or anyone planning longer stays, Vietnam’s 90-day visa option makes more sense than constantly extending in Thailand.
Just sort it before you fly, and you’re set for three months straight.
Read My Post About The Best Things To Do In Hanoi, Vietnam
Getting Around
Both countries made transport surprisingly easy, though I used different methods in each.
In Vietnam, I took the sleeper train to Sapa (check out my Sapa guide here).
It wasn’t luxury by any stretch, but it did the job and got me there overnight without burning a day of travel. The sleeper bus from Ho Chi Minh to Can Tho with Futa Bus was actually very comfortable, far better than I expected.
For flights between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh, I used VietJet Air. Good company, cheap flights, no hassles. I always booked through Skyscanner for flights and Booking.com for accommodation, never had a single issue with either.
I didn’t rent a motorbike anywhere, but I used Grab constantly.
In Vietnamese cities, especially, rides were always under $1.00. Grab was a lifesaver for getting around cheaply and safely, and minivans filled the gaps when I needed to cover longer distances between towns.
Both countries offer hotel pickups and door-to-door options that make everything straightforward. You don’t need to be a seasoned backpacker to figure out transport in either place.
Read My One-Day Itinerary For Bangkok
Weather and Best Time to Visit
I visited Thailand in April, August, September, October, and November. Vietnam got my time in April, June, July, August, and September.
Thailand was brutally hot in April. We’re talking sweat-through-your-shirt-in-minutes hot. September brought rain, proper wet season stuff. The weather improved dramatically from October onwards, with mid-October giving me some of the best conditions I experienced.
November brought cooler temps but also bigger crowds. If you want the sweet spot, aim for November to February, though be prepared for masses of tourists.
Vietnam’s weather is more diverse and, honestly, more unpredictable. I had to completely change my plans and skip Hue because of a typhoon, heading to Hoi An instead. The weather genuinely affects what you can do and when.
I had some absolutely gorgeous days of hot weather with barely any rain, then suddenly a day or two of complete downpours at the end of summer.
Khao Sok National Park and Da Nang both threw monsoon conditions at me that I wasn’t expecting. At the end of the day, Thailand’s weather is more consistent and easier to plan around.
Vietnam’s weather requires flexibility and a backup plan or two.
Discover The Amazing Cat Cat Village In North West Vietnam
Thailand Vs Vietnam – Which One Are You Choosing?
After spending 3.5 months exploring Vietnam and nearly 3 months in Thailand, I can honestly say both countries captured my heart in completely different ways.
Thailand’s beaches, particularly around Krabi, made me fall in love with the country (those sunsets on Railay Beach still haunt my dreams). Vietnam’s Sapa rice terraces and the incredible homestays in the mountains made me seriously consider packing it all in and living amongst those peaks permanently.
If you’re planning your trip, here’s what actually mattered during my travels. For staying connected, I used SIM Local eSIM after it worked brilliantly for me in Portugal. No connectivity issues whatsoever in either Vietnam or Thailand, which saved me countless times when navigating unfamiliar cities or booking last-minute accommodation. I’ve also tested Level8 luggage extensively on other trips, and they’re well known in the travel community for reliability.
One thing nobody tells you is how differently these countries pull at you. Thailand feels easier, more comfortable for first-timers. Vietnam challenges you more but rewards you with experiences that stick with you long after you’ve left.
If you’re still planning or have questions, join my Vietnam Travel Facebook group. I’m active there every day, helping other travellers plan their trips, and the community is brilliant for getting real-time advice from people actually on the ground.
Personally? I’d return to Vietnam first. I had to leave for an emergency and never got to see all of Hue properly, and that still bothers me.
But honestly, you may not want to leave either country once you arrive. That’s the real problem with Southeast Asia.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
My Video on YT
FAQs
Which Is Better, Vietnam Or Thailand?
Thailand has superior beaches, especially on Koh Lanta (Long Beach and Bamboo Beach are brilliant) and Koh Lipe, where North Point Beach is stunning. Vietnamese food costs less (pho for $1.50 versus Thai meals at $3.00), but Thailand’s food variety impressed me more overall. Vietnam wins for landscapes, with Sapa’s rice terraces and mountains being absolutely magical, and the Son Doong Peninsula offering incredible natural beauty. Hue Citadel showcases Vietnam’s rich history impressively. Both countries excel in different ways, making either an excellent choice depending on your priorities.
Where Is Cheaper, Thailand Or Vietnam?
Vietnam proved cheaper during my travels through Hanoi and Bangkok comparisons. Pho costs as little as $1.50 in Vietnam, whilst Thai meals average $3.00. Mid-range hotels in Vietnam cost around $13.00 per night, compared to $16.00 in Thailand, though prices vary by season (I visited Vietnam in summer and spring, Thailand in spring and autumn). Four-star hotels occasionally matched mid-range pricing in both countries. Food, accommodation, and general expenses consistently favour Vietnam’s budget-friendly advantage.
Is Thailand Or Vietnam Safer For Tourists?
Both countries felt completely safe travelling as a couple and solo through spring, summer, and autumn. Crime against tourists remains low, with no dangerous encounters or public altercations during my extensive travels. However, avoid travelling during typhoon season, which poses real weather risks. Use 50% DEET mosquito repellent and cover exposed skin as much as possible, since malaria and dengue present genuine health concerns in certain areas. Standard precautions make both destinations perfectly safe for tourists.
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