Which is Better to Travel To?

Vietnam and Thailand are two of probably the most visited locations in Southeast Asia, and for good purpose. Both have scrumptious meals, historic temples, tropical islands and exquisite surroundings. However they every have their very own historic influences that make them distinctive in their very own approach. 

So which one is healthier to go to? In this information I’ll examine Vietnam vs Thailand by way of meals, landscapes, transportation and lots of different components that may help you to decide the place to go. 

Vietnam vs Thailand: A General Comparison

• Vietnam is located on the east aspect of the Indochina peninsula, whereas Thailand occupies the central west half. 
• Both nations have lengthy stretches of shoreline. Thailand has 2,000 miles (3219km) of shoreline, whereas Vietnam has 2,030 miles (3260km). 
• Vietnam boasts round 2,800 islands, whereas Thailand has round 1380.
• Vietnam has French colonial influences and a fancy, turbulent historical past with the Vietnam War. Thailand’s tradition is closely influenced by Buddhism, and also you’ll see plenty of Buddha statues everywhere in the nation. . 
• Thailand’s capital metropolis of Bangkok feels extra westernized and cosmopolitan with extra luxurious motels than Ho Chi Minh City. 
• Both locations are inexpensive, though Vietnam is cheaper to go to than Thailand. 

Vietnamese Cuisine vs Thai Cuisine

Both Thai meals and Vietnamese meals are very fashionable all through the world. Both style nice, though my private favourite is Vietnamese. Thai delicacies tends to function curries and coconut milk, whereas Vietnamese delicacies has an emphasis on noodle soups.

Vietnamese Cuisine

Vietnamese delicacies is fairly wholesome, with tons of contemporary greens, low sugar, minimal cooking and little or no oil or fats. Dishes are full of nutritional vitamins and minerals, and are usually very aromatic, with a variety of contemporary herbs and spices. 

Recipes have a tendency to incorporate issues like cilantro, lemongrass, ginger, mint, chili, lime and Thai basil. Plenty of dishes function rice paper or rice noodles, which is ideal for people who find themselves gluten illiberal. 

Vietnam is among the few locations in Asia the place bread is fairly standard – the French launched baguettes to Vietnam within the nineteenth century, and right this moment the banh mi sandwich is certainly one of Vietnam’s most iconic meals. 

Popular Vietnamese dishes embody: 

• Pho – Noodle soup out there in all types of eating institutions throughout Vietnam. Pho accommodates broth, rice noodles, and meat reminiscent of beef or rooster. It’s typically served with garnishes reminiscent of beansprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, chili and chili sauce.
• Gỏi cuốn summer time rolls – Raw greens and typically shrimp, wrapped in a contemporary rice paper roll. Unlike spring rolls, summer time rolls are uncooked. 
• Banh Mi – Short baguette full of meats, greens, cilantro, cucumber, pickled carrots, and pickled daikon. This tasty sandwich is normally served with condiments reminiscent of pâté, pink chili and mayonnaise. 

Thai Cuisine

Thai delicacies is well-known all through the world, and was primarily influenced by Indian delicacies, though it incorporates the culinary traditions of many neighboring nations.  Rice and chili pepper are the 2 most vital components in Thai delicacies, which is spicy and aromatic. 

Other frequent components embody pineapple, papaya, cashews, peanuts, and coconut milk. Thai menus function plenty of delicate curries and stir-fries, with loads of contemporary greens. 

Here are some frequent Thai dishes:

• Pad Thai – stir fried noodles made with rice noodles, shrimp, peanuts, crunchy bean sprouts, greens and scrambled egg. 
• Tom Kha Gai – very flavorful coconut soup with rooster. 
• Pad Kra Pao Moo – minced pork stir-fried with chili and basil. 
• Som Tam – spicy inexperienced papaya salad with tomatoes and peanuts. 
• Gaeng Daeng – curry made with pink curry paste and coconut milk. 

Verdict: Thai meals and Vietnamese meals each comprise staples like rice and noodles, however they’ve a variety of variations. 

• Vietnamese delicacies makes use of a variety of uncooked greens, whereas Thai meals options extra stir-fried veggies.
• Vietnamese cooking strategies embody extra boiling and steaming, whereas Thai cooking strategies primarily contain deep frying and stir frying. 
• Thai meals tends to be a bit spicier than Vietnamese meals, and the spices are normally included within the cooking course of. In Vietnamese delicacies, the spices are sometimes served individually and added by the particular person consuming it. 
• Vietnamese delicacies is influenced by neighbors reminiscent of China, Cambodia and Laos. The delicacies additionally has some French influences, therefore the love of baguettes and banh mi sandwiches. Thailand’s delicacies is principally influenced by its neighbors India, Malaysia and Indonesia. 

Personally I simply love Vietnamese meals. Pho is so flavorful and heartwarming, and summer time rolls are very contemporary and wholesome. I really like how Vietnamese meals at all times tastes easy and clear, with plenty of uncooked greens and aromatic herbs. Don’t get me fallacious, Thai meals is wonderful too, however Vietnamese delicacies has the sting for me. 

Vietnam vs Thailand: Beaches

Beaches in Vietnam

With 2,030 miles of shoreline, Vietnam has a large selection of seashores to put on. The nation sits on the South China Sea and has quite a few resorts and islands to find. 

One of the most well-liked seaside resorts is Nha Trang, which is positioned within the south of Vietnam about 400km north of Ho Chi Minh City. The essential seaside stretches for 6km, and is backed by a promenade lined with motels and eating places. Many guests take a ship or journey by cable automotive to Hon Tre island, which boasts an amusement park and a ravishing sandy seaside referred to as Bai Tru Beach.

About half approach up the coast lies Da Nang, which is residence to certainly one of Vietnam’s most well-known picture spots – Golden Hand Bridge. If you need to absorb the solar right here, head over to My Khe Beach, which boasts a 20-mile stretch of sand in addition to a plethora of high-end resorts and seafood eating places. 

The largest and most visited island in Vietnam is Phu Quoc island, which might be reached by home flight. The island is thought for its seafood eating places, which serve among the freshest seafood in all of Vietnam. Sao Beach is the most well-liked seaside on the island, that includes powder white sand and aqua blue waters. 

Beaches in Thailand

Thailand is residence to plenty of well-known seaside resorts and islands, together with Krabi, Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta, Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan. 

The 2000 film “The Beach”, starring Leonardo DeCaprio was shot at Maya Bay, which lies on the island of Phi Phi Leh. This island is accessible by boat from close by islands reminiscent of Phuket or Phi Phi. 

Thailand additionally boasts tons of white, sandy seashores, together with Klong Dao in Koh Lanta, Railay Beach in Krabi, Chaweng in Koh Samui, Sunset Beach in Koh Lipe, and Thong Nai Pan Noi in Koh Phangan. 

If you’re actually into diving, then you definately’ll need to go to the Similan Islands, that are identified for his or her ample coral reefs and clear blue waters. 

Verdict: Both nations have glorious seashores and 1000’s of miles of shoreline, though Thailand’s seashores are extra well-known and extra lovely. Vietnam’s seashores are nonetheless wonderful and undoubtedly underrated, however Thai seashores are a bit cleaner and extra scenic. If you take pleasure in diving or need to get your PADI certificates, you actually can’t beat the diving alternatives in Thailand. 

Vietnam vs Thailand: Culture and History

• Vietnam’s tradition is extra carefully linked with China, whereas Thai tradition has been largely influenced by India. 
• Vietnam’s essential faith is a mix of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, whereas the primary faith in Thailand is Buddhism.
•  The two nations even have totally different political methods – Vietnam is a communist nation, whereas Thailand has a constitutional monarchy. 

Vietnamese Culture

Vietnam has been by way of a variety of warfare within the final hundred years, together with a civil warfare and the warfare for independence from France. Tales of the nation’s turbulent historical past are advised within the varied warfare museums all through the nation, together with the War Remnants Museum and Hoa Lo Prison. Due to those wars, a variety of buildings and landmarks have been destroyed and reconstructed through the years.  

Throughout the nation you’ll see proof of French colonial structure left over from the French colonization. The nation’s delicacies additionally has some French influences, with certainly one of its main meals being the banh mi (baguette sandwich). 

Vietnam formally turned built-in into French Indochina in 1887, and remained below French rule till World War II, when the Pacific War led to an invasion by Japan. After Japan’s army defeat in World War II, France tried to regain management of Vietnam as soon as extra, resulting in the First Indochina War (1946-1954). 

Vietnam emerged victorious, but it surely wasn’t lengthy earlier than a full scale civil warfare broke out between the north and the south. The Vietnam War was a protracted and arduous warfare that lasted from 1955 to 1965 – a interval of twenty years. 

Thai Culture

Thailand, alternatively, is the one nation in Southeast Asia that wasn’t colonized by the Europeans. The remainder of its neighbors have been both colonized by the British or the French. 

The nation hasn’t had any civil wars like Vietnam has, which implies its economic system and infrastructure superior at a sooner price. Thailand’s former monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was one of many longest reigning monarchs on the earth, reigning over Thailand for 70 years from 1946 to 2016.  

In addition to Buddhist temples and statues, Thailand is thought for its exuberant festivals, reminiscent of Songkran and Loy Krathong Festival, often called Thailand Lights Festival, 

Verdict: Both nations have very fascinating cultures, histories and traditions. However, in case you’re very thinking about fashionable historical past, notably the Vietnam War, then you definately’ll be taught quite a bit by visiting Vietnam.

Vietnam vs Thailand: Landmarks & Scenery

Both Vietnam and Thailand have very numerous landscapes, with mountains, seashores and exquisite inexperienced rice fields. They do have their variations although. Vietnam is legendary for its karst landscapes, French colonial structure, the Mekong Delta and the historic city of Hoi An. Thailand, in the meantime, is thought for its Buddhist temples, glittering palaces, elephant sanctuaries and historic rainforest. 

Famous Attractions in Vietnam

Chu Chi Tunnels – An in depth community of tunnels utilized by the Viet Cong throughout the Vietnam War. These tunnels have been used to accommodate troops, transport provides, lay booby traps and mount shock assaults on enemy forces. 

Ha Long Bay – Ha Long Bay is a ravishing bay positioned within the north of Vietnam, identified for its emerald inexperienced water, limestone islands and spectacular caves. Most guests discover Ha Long Bay by reserving a multi-day cruise on a junk boat. 

Hanoi’s Old Quarter – At the guts of Hanoi lies its charming Old Quarter, which dates all the best way again to the thirteenth century. The space is full of hole-in-the-wall eating places and avenue stalls the place you possibly can order pho and different Vietnamese dishes. d 

War Remnants Museum – Located in Ho Chi Minh City, this museum options reveals documenting the Vietnam and First Indochina wars. 

Hue Imperial City – Hue was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty and  Vietnam’s capital from 1802 to 1945. The metropolis’s most spectacular landmark is the Forbidden Purple City, which was based mostly on China’s Forbidden City.

Hoi An UNESCO World Heritage Site – With its yellow-hued buildings, historic footbridges and scenic river, Hoi An is among the prettiest locations to go to in Vietnam. The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and is thought for its cooking faculties and avenue meals market. 

Famous Attractions in Thailand

The Grand Palace – Constructed in 1782, this opulent palace was the official residence of the Kings of Siam, and later Thailand. Today the palace is usually used for official occasions and state capabilities, and is Bangkok’s most visited attraction. 

Khao Yai National Park – Khao Yai National Park is the third largest nationwide park in Thailand, overlaying greater than 2,000 sq. kilometers of forest and grassland. The park is residence to all kinds of flora and wildlife, together with elephants, macaques, gibbons, and bears. 

Wat Arun – Wat Arun is a ravishing Buddhist temple positioned on the west financial institution of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The temple includes a central prang (spire), which is adorned in colourful porcelain. 

Phang Nga Bay – A well-known bay within the Strait of Malacca, with fascinating limestone cliffs and small islands. Phan Nga Bay is residence to probably the most photographed spots in Thailand – James Bond Island. 

Sukhothai Historical Park – Sukhothai is a UNESCO World Heritage website that includes 193 ruins. The metropolis was the capital of the primary Kingdom of Siam within the thirteenth and 14th centuries.

Ayutthaya – Founded in 1340, Ayutthaya was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom and flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries, earlier than it was bulldozed by the Burmese. This archeological website consists of ruined palaces, temples, statues and monasteries. 

Verdict: Vietnam has a variety of sights and museums centered on the Vietnam War and the French colonization interval. Thailand is greatest identified for its spectacular palaces, ornate pagodas and Buddha statues. Both have very spectacular issues to see and do, however my private choice right here is Vietnam since I discover fashionable historical past fairly fascinating.  

Vietnam vs Thailand: Infrastructure

Getting Around Vietnam

When it involves getting round Vietnam, the primary choices are practice, bus and flight. 

The essential home airways in Vietnam are Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air and Bamboo Airways. You can fly to locations like Da Nang, Nha Trang and Hue for fairly low-cost, however sure locations require overland journey. 

To get to Hoi An you’ll both must journey by bus or guide a non-public automotive from Da Nang. Sapa additionally requires overland journey, and most guests guide multi-day excursions that depart from Hanoi. I like to recommend checking GetYourGuide or Viator for the perfect Sapa excursions.  

If you’re touring on a funds, Vietnam has deluxe evening buses which have sleeper beds, WiFi and TV. Buses might be booked on-line utilizing a website referred to as Baolau. I traveled by bus all the best way up the nation and located them to be fairly snug. 

The nation additionally has greater than 2,600 kilometers of railway, with trains stopping in essential cities like Hanoi, Hué, Danang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City. The practice is a little more snug than the bus and lets you see some fairly epic surroundings alongside the best way. Tickets might be booked by way of Baolau.com or by way of 12Go.asia. 

Getting Around Thailand 

Thailand has a very good infrastructure and a reasonably properly trodden vacationer route. The essential home airways are Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai Smile, Thai Airways and Orient Thai. 

You can attain various locations by air, together with the main cities and islands like Phuket and Koh Samui. If you need to go to among the different islands, you’ll normally have to fly into Phuket or Koh Samui after which catch a ship or ferry. 

When it involves overland journey, there are two essential choices; practice or bus. For getting between cities, Thailand has plenty of vacationer fashion buses with air-con, WiFi, cozy chairs and typically leisure onboard. The greatest strategy to guide is through the use of 12Go Asia. 

Alternatively, you possibly can catch a practice. The practice is normally a bit faster, but in addition costlier. 

For shorter distances you should use a taxi, or rent a non-public driver for the day. If you need to go to sure sights, you too can guide excursions with GetYourGuide or Viator. 

Once you’re within the large cities, normally one of the simplest ways to get round is by tuk tuk or taxi. Thailand doesn’t have Uber, however cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai do have a experience sharing app referred to as Grab. Bangkok additionally has a metro system, plus the Sky Train which matches to and from the airport. 

Verdict: Both nations have a number of modes of transportation for getting round. If you aren’t on a decent funds, then you possibly can simply get round each nations by taking home flights. If you’re on a strict funds otherwise you need to scale back your carbon footprint, then each Vietnam and Thailand have vacationers buses and trains to get you from A to B. . 

Vietnam vs Thailand: Flights

Most guests touring to Thailand fly into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which is a significant transportation hub and has 1000’s of connecting flights to locations everywhere in the world. 

Places like Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Chiang Rai and Koh Samui all have worldwide airports too, making Thailand a very simple vacation spot to fly to.

Vietnam’s two busiest airports are Hanoi and Phnom Penh, that are positioned at reverse ends of the nation. Destinations like Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hue and Phu Quoc even have airports, however if you wish to get to Hoi An, you’ll have to arrive by automotive, practice or bus. 

Vietnam is lengthy and skinny, so one of the simplest ways to do it’s fly into Phnom Penh and work your approach north to Hanoi. Or you can do it the opposite approach spherical, beginning in Hanoi and dealing your approach south to Phnom Penh. 

Running a fast search on Google Flights, I can see {that a} round-trip ticket from London to Phnom Penh or Hanoi prices roughly $1000, with a stopover in Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. 

A round-trip ticket from London to Bangkok on the identical dates (May) prices round $800 round-trip in case you’re prepared to have a stopover in Helsinki, Zurich, Dubai or Vienna. If you’d desire a direct flight, anticipate to pay round $1000 round-trip with Thai Airways. 

I additionally ran an identical seek for flights from New York. A round-trip ticket from New York to Bangkok prices from $1100 to $1600, whereas a ticket to Phnom Penh prices round $1200 to $1700.

Flights to Thailand appear to be a bit cheaper, and there’s typically extra availability.

Vietnam vs Thailand: Visas

Visitors from locations just like the US, Australia and the UK don’t want a visa to enter Thailand. On arrival on the airport, Thai immigration officers will place a stamp in your passport that enables entry for as much as 45 days relying on the nation.  

Vietnam is totally different in that it requires a visa for entry. Citizens of 80 nations (together with the United States) can apply for an eVisa on-line earlier than arrival. This single-entry visa permits entry for as much as 30 days, and requires a fee of $25. E-visa holders could enter and exit Vietnam by way of 33 designated worldwide border gates, together with all worldwide airports. Here’s the official web site the place you possibly can apply for an eVisa. The visa takes 3 working days to course of, so ensure you do it prematurely. 

If you’re arriving by air, it’s additionally attainable to use for a Visa on Arrival utilizing a web-based visa firm. You’ll be issued a visa approval letter, which you’ll present to immigration officers in Vietnam. 

When it involves visas, Thailand is clearly the winner right here, since a visa isn’t required for entry. 

Vietnam vs Thailand: People

In phrases of friendliness, I most well-liked Thailand over Vietnam. Thailand is called “The Land of Smiles” as a result of there are at the least 13 totally different smiles {that a} Thai particular person may use to convey totally different messaging. 

Thailand is thought for its hospitality, and wherever you go, the Thai folks are usually pleasant, smiley and well mannered. 

There are some scams although that it is advisable to be careful for. When I first went to Bangkok, we fell for the traditional rip-off, the place a tuk tuk driver tells you the palace is “closed” and tries to take you to a bunch of various tailor retailers and smaller sights. Make positive you learn up on all of the scams earlier than you go, to keep away from getting ripped off. 

In Vietnam I typically felt hassled and typically ripped off. We took fairly a couple of evening buses, and after we arrived at our vacation spot, the bus would typically be swarmed by locals providing transportation, lodging and many others. Sometimes they have been fairly persistent and adopted us down the road. In Hoi An, I bear in mind being adopted by somebody wanting me to get one thing tailor-made, and even after I stated no, they continued to pursue.

I’m used to trouble when touring, but it surely simply felt much more intense in Vietnam than it did in different Southeast Asian nations. 

When we rode the bus from Hanoi to Luang Prabang, some vacationers had been bought tickets to Vang Vieng, besides there was no cease in Vang Vieng. They have been dropped off in the course of nowhere, miles from Vang Vieng, and ended up having to hitchhike to Luang Prabang. 

I’ve heard fairly a couple of tales about folks being ripped off or overcharged in Vietnam, and Nomadic Matt wrote an article about it right here. Some of the native eating places in Vietnam have particular menus for vacationers which have greater costs than the native menus. However, it’s vital to keep in mind that the folks there are very poor, so tourism is their bread and butter. 

On a ultimate observe, fewer folks appeared to talk English in Vietnam than in Thailand, so there was a bit extra of a language barrier. This typically led to combine ups and confusion, particularly when looking for our approach round. 

A Final Word…

If you could have the time, I’d advocate you do each. If you possibly can solely go to one, that’s a troublesome one. According to Statista, Thailand is probably the most visited nation in southeast Asia, and welcomed almost 6.7 million vacationers in 2020. Vietnam was the fourth most visited nation in Southeast Asia in 2020, welcoming round 3.7 million vacationers.  

Thailand is clearly very fashionable. It’s an amazing nation for first-time guests, with a really well-trodden vacationer route and really pleasant and welcoming folks. 

Bangkok is among the world’s most iconic cities, with plenty of inexpensive, but luxurious motels to remain at. It’s price spending a couple of days within the capital, earlier than heading north to Chiang Mai, or south to Thailand’s lovely islands. If you’re a seaside lover, you’ll love islands like Koh Tao, Koh Lipe, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. 

Yet by some means, Vietnam wins for me. Don’t get me fallacious, Thailand is unbelievable and value visiting at the least as soon as in your lifetime.   

However, I desire Vietnamese delicacies over Thai meals, and will eat pho and summer time rolls for days. I additionally discovered Vietnam’s historical past very fascinating, and liked the French colonial structure and cultural influences. Hoi An was probably the most memorable cities I visited on my jaunt by way of Southeast Asia, and I’d fortunately advocate it to buddies.

While Vietnam continues to be touristy, it feels a bit extra genuine than Thailand, and I simply discovered the nation to really feel a bit extra edgy. Sometimes it’s arduous to place a finger on it, however some locations you simply fall in love with greater than others. Vietnam was a kind of for me.