Thailand vs Vietnam – Which is Better to Visit?

I’ve had the privilege to travel to both Thailand and Vietnam twice – once in 2019 as a solo traveler; and again in 2023 with my boyfriend.  I’ve spent ample time in each country (a total of seven weeks each) and have explored high and low, north to south.  While I have my opinion (which I state at the end of this post), I’m also going to list out the many things to consider when choosing whether you should visit Thailand vs Vietnam.  Because the reality is, everyone is different and just because I would choose one country, it doesn’t make it the right country for everyone to choose.

 

What to Consider – Thailand vs Vietnam

Below you’ll find a list of the biggest things to consider when you’re choosing to visit Thailand or Vietnam.  I think that this goes without saying, but if you have the time to visit both – of course, that’s what I would recommend.  But to do so I think you need at least four weeks traveling so that you can spend two weeks in Thailand and two weeks in Vietnam.  If you don’t have four weeks, I recommend choosing one country and exploring in depth.

 

Safety

From my experience, I felt safe traveling in both countries both solo and with a partner.  In Vietnam, I had to watch my things closer and be more aware of pickpockets, but I never felt unsafe.  The Global Peace Index ranks Thailand 92nd out of 163 countries and territories, and Vietnam 41st out of 163 countries and territories.  (For reference, the United States holds the 131st spot).

With that being said, anything can happen so here are some general safety tips to follow both in Thailand and Vietnam…

• Make two copies your passport; keep one copy in a separate place from where you keep your passport, and leave the second copy at home with a loved one
• Forward all hotel reservations to a family member/friend so they can track where you’re supposed to be at all times
• Know the number and address of the US Embassy (or whatever country you’re from)
• Know how to dial out – the code for Thailand is +66 and for Vietnam +84
• Know how to contact the police, firefighters, and medical emergency service
• Travel with travel insurance to ensure that you’re covered in case anything were to go wrong – I recommend SafetyWing

 

WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO VISIT THAILAND OR VIETNAM, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING TRAVEL INSURANCE

 

History and Culture

Both countries are rich in both history and culture and also are vastly different – both historically and culturally.  One of the biggest differences is that Thailand has never been colonized, and Vietnam has been colonized by the French (and very briefly by the Japanese during WWII).

I would also argue that Vietnam has seen much more strife throughout its history, and more recently as they were engaged with war with the Americans up until 1975 when American troops admitted defeat and pulled out of Vietnam.

 

BRIEF HISTORY OF THAILAND

Thailand’s story begins with the early kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, which flourished from the 13th to the 18th centuries, known for their remarkable advancements in art and architecture.  In the 18th century, the Chakri dynasty emerged, establishing Bangkok as the capital.  Unlike its neighbors, Thailand avoided colonization, and was able to maintain its independence throughout the European colonial period.

In recent decades, Thailand has grown into a bustling hub of commerce and tourism, celebrated for its vibrant culture, mouthwatering cuisine, and the warmth of its people.

 

For more information about visiting Thailand, don’t miss:

• Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Thailand

 

BRIEF HISTORY OF VIETNAM

Vietnam’s history dates back over 4,000 years when it was first inhabited by indigenous peoples. It wasn’t until the 3rd century BC that the region coalesced into a kingdom known as Van Lang, marking the beginnings of a unified Vietnamese state. Throughout the centuries, Vietnam experienced periods of Chinese domination, which greatly influenced its culture and governance. The country’s struggle for independence culminated in the 20th century when Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence from French colonial rule in 1945.  However, this led to the First Indochina War, resulting in the division of Vietnam into North and South in 1954.

The most significant event in Vietnam’s recent history is undoubtedly the Vietnam War (1955-1975), which was a Cold War-era conflict between North Vietnam, backed by the Soviet Union and China, and South Vietnam, supported by the United States and its allies.  The war left a lasting impact on Vietnam, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.  Over the past five decades, Vietnam has undergone remarkable economic transformation and development, evolving into a dynamic and rapidly growing nation, while still preserving its rich cultural heritage.

 

For more information on visiting Vietnam, don’t miss:

• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Vietnam

 

My personal opinion:  Overall, I am more intrigued with the history of Vietnam and thoroughly enjoyed learning about its history when visiting the country.  If you are interested in history and visiting Vietnam, don’t miss visiting the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City and the imperial city of Hue.

 

When to Visit/Weather Patterns

Overall, the best time to visit both Thailand and Vietnam is during the winter months (per the US).  To get a bit more specific…

 

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THAILAND

The best time to visit Thailand is from November-April; these months are considered “dry” season.  However, if you’re traveling south the islands on the west coast versus the east coast experience different weather patterns.  You’ll want to avoid the west coast islands from May-October and the east coast islands from November-March.

The average temperature in Thailand ranges from 64 F to 100 F.  The hottest months in Thailand are April and May, and the coolest months are from November-March.  (Although even when its “cool” in Thailand, it still feels relatively hot).

 

Don’t miss:

• The Best Packing List for Thailand

 

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT VIETNAM

Because Vietnam is a “long” country – the north and the south can experience different temperatures at the same time of the year.  Here are some of the weather patterns throughout the year…

• Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)
  • Temperatures are pretty consistent throughout the year ( 80-90°F), however can be cooler earlier in the year and hotter later in the year
  • May-November:  Sporadic rainfall, hot, humid
  • December-April:  Clear skies, hot, sunny
• Central Vietnam (Hoi An)
  • September-November is rainy season
  • January is the coldest month
  • March is when things bloom and are very green
  • September-January:  Rainy, cool, cloudy
  • February-August:  Hot, sunny, clear skies
• North Vietnam (Hanoi)
  • December-March:  Cold, misty, cloudy
  • April-May:  Hot, clear skies, sunny
  • June-August:  Hot, humid, rainy
  • September-November:  Cool, clear skies, sunny

 

Don’t miss:

• The Ultimate Packing List for Vietnam

 

Convenience of Travel

How long it takes to get to Thailand vs Vietnam should be a major consideration when choosing which country to visit.  Of course, depending on where you’re flying from will depend on which country will be easier to visit; but overall, Bangkok, Thailand is a huge international hub for the entire Southeast Asia area so chances are traveling to Thailand will be more convenient.

But, make sure to check your options on Skyscanner or Expedia before booking flights!

 

Cost and Currency

When I visited each country in 2019, I would’ve said that both Thailand and Vietnam were very similar when it comes to costs.  However, in 2023 I noticed a stark difference in the cost of Thailand with prices being much higher than I remembered.  With that being said, you can still do either country on a budget or you can find luxury in either country.

Thailand operates on the Thai Baht (฿) or THB.  Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (đ) or VND.

 

My personal opinion:  Vietnam is much cheaper than Thailand; but Thailand has many more luxury options than Vietnam.

 

IF YOU WANT TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY I SPENT IN VIETNAM IN 2023, WATCH THIS VIDEO!

 

Visa Requirements

Thailand and Vietnam do have different visa requirements which might play into your decision.  In Thailand, you only need a visa if you plan to stay for longer than 30 days, but you do need a visa if you visit Vietnam (even for one day).  Please note, these are the visa rules for American travelers; each country will have different requirements.

 

CHECK TO SEE IF YOU NEED A VISA HERE!

 

Language

The main language spoken in Thailand is Thai and the main language spoken in Vietnam is Vietnamese.  In both countries English is widely used and anyone in hospitality will know at least a small amount of English – enough for you to get by.  I will say however, that overall it seemed as though English was more widely spoken in Thailand than Vietnam.  This is probably because Thailand is used to more visitors than Vietnam (in 2023 24+ million people traveled to Thailand and 8+ million traveled to Vietnam).

 

Which Country does it Better?

Here you’ll find which country does it better when it comes to landscapes, beaches, cuisine, nightlife, and more!  This is more of my personal opinion when comparing Thailand vs Vietnam.

 

Cuisine

Although both in Asia and near each other, Thailand and Vietnam have vastly different cuisines.  Both countries draw world-wide attention for both their unique dishes and street food and quite frankly, it’s my favorite thing about each country!

The flavors in Thai food consist heavily of garlic, lime, lemongrass, coriander, and basil.  The flavors in Vietnamese food consist heavily of basil, mint, lemongrass, coriander, and cilantro.  Overall, Thai dishes are more acidic and Vietnamese dishes are much milder.

 

My personal opinion:  In my book, Thai food greatly outranks Vietnamese food any day of the week.  I personally think that Thailand has many more options when it comes to local dishes and I would also argue that their street food scene is superior to Vietnam.

 

BOOK A COOKING CLASS IN THAILAND OR VIETNAM USING COOKLY!

 

Beaches

Without a doubt Thailand outranks Vietnam in terms of great beaches.  Thailand is known for their pristine, white-sand, turquoise water islands; and Vietnam simply isn’t.  Of course, if you’re interested in a beach vacation you could visit Phú Quốc – a Vietnamese island off of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand.  Otherwise, there really aren’t any standout beaches in Vietnam.

 

My personal opinion:  If you’re looking for great beaches, Thailand wins this one.

 

If you’re interested in a “beach” vacation, don’t miss my favorite spots in Thailand:

• Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Koh Lanta
• What You Need to Know About Visiting Khao Lak
• The Ultimate Guide to Phuket, Thailand

 

Landscapes

In terms of landscapes, both countries are incredibly beautiful and have similar landscapes.  Sure, Thailand has more and better beaches but Vietnam has incredibly beautiful rice fields in the north.  Thailand has beautiful Buddhist temples throughout the country, but Vietnam has beautiful pagodas.  They both have areas where rock formations spring from the sea, and both countries have vast, wide open, untouched areas as well.

 

My personal opinion:  I was just amazed by the landscapes I saw in Vietnam (specifically central and Northern Vietnam).  Overall, I had more jaw-dropping moments in Vietnam than Thailand.

 

If you’re looking to experience nature, here are some of my favorite places to visit:

• A Complete Guide to Vietnam’s Ha Giang Loop
• The Best 2 Day Ninh Binh Itinerary
• Everything You Need to Know About Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam
• How to Travel from Hoi An to Hue via the Hai Van Pass

 

Nightlife

In terms of nightlife, Bangkok is famously known for being a huge party city.  And aside from Bangkok, almost everywhere I’ve been in Thailand has some sort of party element to it.  On top of that, weed is legal in Thailand so I think that that also contributes to more of a nightlife scene than you might find in Vietnam.

 

My personal opinion:  If you’re looking for a party scene, Thailand definitely outranks Vietnam.

 

Must See Spots in Thailand

Here are some places I highly recommend visiting when you travel to Thailand…

• Bangkok
• Koh Lanta
• Chiang Mai
• Phuket

 

If you’re planning on visiting Thailand, don’t miss:

• The Ultimate Thailand Bucket List

 

Must See Spots in Vietnam

Here are some places I highly recommend visiting when you travel to Vietnam…

• Hanoi
• Ninh Binh
• Hoi An
• Ha Giang

 

Is Thailand or Vietnam Better for Solo Female Travel?

While I was hesitant to visit Thailand back in 2019, I couldn’t have had a better experience as a solo female traveler.  Having been told it’s “too touristy” and that Bangkok was “gross”, I had little to no expectations.  In fact, I hadn’t even planned to visit at all but it seemed that the cheapest way to get to Southeast Asia was to start in Bangkok.  I am thrilled that I didn’t listen to the advice of strangers and that I gave Thailand a chance.  You see, the country changed me in a way that no other country had previously.  Expecting to feel out of place and uncomfortable… I instead felt welcomed and loved by the locals.  I did not experience one moment of uncertainty or a time that I felt unsafe.  It seemed that even though Thailand gets millions of visitors a year… the locals embrace it.  They haven’t gotten sick of us foreigners and they treat us like family.

On the other hand, after visiting Thailand, I was dying to get to Vietnam; after all, I had heard travelers rave about the country.  Unfortunately, my experience as a solo female traveler in Vietnam wasn’t exactly stellar.  Was it that I had high expectations?  Was it that I had such a great experience in Thailand that I was expecting far too much from its neighboring country Vietnam?  While I didn’t feel unsafe – I also *almost* got robbed twice and overall felt like I had to negotiate and stand up for myself so much more than I did in Thailand.

 

If I had to give a definitive ruling, Thailand vs Vietnam – which is better?  I would have to say Thailand.  Both in 2019 and 2023 my Thailand experience greatly outweighed my experience in Vietnam.  But with that being said, I do hope that you eventually give Vietnam a chance (after you visit Thailand).  The country is unique, beautiful, and the people are kind.  I just happen to enjoy Thailand more.

 

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