Which is better: Vietnam or Thailand? Thailand or Vietnam: comparison, where is better to go, reviews. Where is the best place to go, visa regime comparison

Among the Asian tourism destinations, the question often arises, where is it better and cheaper to go, to Thailand or Vietnam? It is quite difficult to choose, since both countries have their own flavor, which has loyal fans. But still, if you are faced with a choice of where to spend your vacation, you should carefully study all aspects of life in these countries in order to accurately choose for yourself what is better for your vacation - Vietnam or Thailand.

The decision largely depends on your personal preferences, financial capabilities and expectations that you have for the trip. That is why you need to carefully familiarize yourself with all aspects of tourism.

Flight to destination

When choosing a place to relax, many pay attention to the time factor. What type of transport can be used, how many hours the trip takes and what the price of tickets are - these are the questions on which the final decision depends.

From this point of view, when comparing both countries, neither has an advantage. In terms of time, it turns out that flying to Thailand takes an hour longer. And considering that the cost of a ticket depends on the chosen tour operator or airline, as well as on the time of year, you can find reasonable prices for each destination.

Thus, in the question of what to choose, Thailand or Vietnam, this criterion is not decisive. You can even purchase a Thailand-Cambodia-Vietnam tour and visit three countries for more than a small amount of money.

Vietnam and Thailand, comparison of climate and weather conditions

Although both countries have a tropical climate with high humidity, Vietnam is more comfortable in winter. You can be sure that during the day you will not have to swelter from the heat, while in Thailand the temperature is much higher. But here it all depends on your personal preferences.

The peak tourist season in both countries occurs from the beginning of December to the end of March. At this time, you don’t have to be afraid of tropical downpours and the mercilessly scorching sun.

Which is better - Thailand or Vietnam, comparison of beaches

When deciding which country to go to, you should decide what type of beaches interests you.

If we talk about a civilized vacation with hotels on the shore and developed infrastructure, as a rule, these are city beaches. In Vietnam, these are located in the cities of Nha Trang and Phan Thiet (Mui Ne). In Thailand these are Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui.


According to this criterion, the advantage is in the direction of Vietnam, where there are no huge crowds of people, prices for food and housing are cheaper, and you can also enjoy clean air and a real riot of greenery. In addition, in Vietnam it is much more common to find signs with inscriptions in Russian, which means that it will be much easier to navigate the country.

And when it comes to wild beaches, Thailand has a distinct advantage as you can find a wide variety of places to relax on your own. In Vietnam, this opportunity is only on the islands of Phu Quoc, Con Dao and Cat Ba. Moreover, in the last two cases, heavenly solitude will cost you quite a lot.

As for Thailand, a number of resorts are offered to your attention, from which you only need to choose the one you like most, which will definitely cost less. This is an impressive list of islands, among which there are semi-civilized ones, where you can find some kind of service, for example, shops, bars, restaurants, massage.

This number includes:

  • Koh Chang;
  • Koh Phangan;
  • Koh Tao;
  • Phi Phi;
  • Koh Lanta.

There are also completely wild places in Thailand where you can feel completely alone. These are the islands:

  • Samet;
  • Koh Kood;
  • Koh Mak;
  • Ko Wai and many others.


The maximum level of service here comes down to massage at the hotel and several restaurants throughout the island, but at the same time the cost of services is much cheaper.

Thus, in order to choose where the holiday is better, Vietnam or Thailand, you should consider what type of vacation you need.

If you prefer a civilized holiday, go to Vietnam, and if you want to take a break from society and fully enjoy being close to nature, choose Thailand.

Thailand or Vietnam – which is cheaper?

When it comes to housing prices, in order to choose a more economical option, it is important to consider exactly how long you plan to stay in the country. If your vacation lasts no more than 2-3 weeks, accommodation in Vietnam will cost less, and the conditions in the room will be approximately the same.

But if you are going to stay at sea for more than a month, the price will be about the same. It may even be that Thailand will cost you less due to the fact that the Vietnamese are not yet accustomed to renting out housing for a long period of time, which is why there is practically no competition here.

Cost of goods and services


In each country, the price for food, massage services, moving around the city on public transport, and motorbike rental is approximately the same. The exception is alcohol; Vietnamese winemakers sell it much cheaper than in Thailand.

However, the cost of products from global brands is approximately the same. Therefore, when choosing which is better - Thailand or Vietnam, this criterion is not decisive.

What to see on vacation, sights of countries

Vietnam or Thailand, where is it better to spend time? If, in addition to a beach holiday, you want to walk around the resort and see its attractions, it is difficult to give a definite answer which country is better to choose.

It should be borne in mind that there have been no global wars in Thailand for many centuries, so here you can find attractions dating back to antiquity. You can even go to a museum located directly in the open air, for example, Sukhothai or Ayutthaya.

But, despite the fact that the war of the last century in Vietnam destroyed much of the country, many interesting sights can also be found here. For example, in big cities there are palaces and other buildings related to the European style, while in Thailand it will be simply impossible to see this. Therefore, you need to choose a country to visit based on personal preferences.

Where is the best place to go, visa regime comparison

If your vacation lasts no more than two weeks, it doesn’t matter which country you choose. You can stay in Thailand without a visa for 30 days, and in Vietnam -15.


But if your stay in another country is more than a month, you must have an official permit for a long stay. In this regard, it is better to choose Vietnam, since the visa regime here is not only simpler, but also cheaper. So, you can apply for a three-month visa, and after the expiration of the period, extend it for another six months without leaving the country.

Which country should you choose if you are offered two tours at approximately the same price? Tour operators, in conditions of the economic crisis and the high dollar, are fighting for every client, so very often they sell ready-made tours for less than the cost of air tickets. If you are not a winterer who lives in warm climates for six months, but an ordinary person who goes to the sea a couple of times a year, then a last-minute inexpensive tour can be an excellent economical solution. I am often asked the question “Which country should I choose: Thailand or Vietnam?” Today it’s all about how to make the right choice based on your expectations, needs and budget.

Why do I have the right to write this post and compare two countries?

We lived in Vietnam twice and spent a total of six months there. We drove around, visited 10 cities, and I wrote about various aspects of life and recreation in this country.

We visited Thailand three times, lived in different cities for seven months. In the blog you will find from our Thai life.

Thailand and Vietnam: geographical location

Thailand and Vietnam are two countries in Southeast Asia. The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is approximately 800 kilometers closer to Europe than the southern capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City.

Charters from Moscow to Vietnam's main seaside resort of Nha Trang fly in approximately 10.5 - 11.5 hours, depending on the class of the aircraft. The flight to the Thai island of Phuket is a little faster - 8.5-9.5 hours.

Both Vietnam and Thailand have a shape stretched from south to north and have a dozen different resorts. Today we will look at the most popular of them: Nha Trang in Vietnam and Phuket in Thailand. Nha Trang is washed by the South China Sea, and Phuket is washed by the Andaman Sea.

Seasons in Thailand and Vietnam by month

Now about the choice between Thailand and Vietnam depending on the time of year.

The high season is when it is sunny, warm and practically no rain.

The best time to travel to Nha Trang is from mid-February to the end of September. The wettest months are October and November. Brief rains and sea waves may occur in December and January. At this time, there may also be cool water, although the air warms up to +24+25C during the day.

The high season in Phuket begins in November and ends at the end of March. At this time, the weather on the island is wonderful, it rarely rains, the air temperature is +28+32, the sea water is clear and there are practically no waves.

The so-called “wet season” lasts from April to the end of September. At this time, sudden downpours are common, when a bucket of water seems to be poured out in a minute. It often rains for several days with rare breaks. In summer it can be very hot and stuffy, and the beaches are washed away by waves, which makes swimming not very pleasant and sometimes downright dangerous. I know people who like to vacation in Phuket in the summer, because at this time there are few tourists and prices for housing and food are lower. But a summer holiday in Thailand is like a lottery: if you are unlucky, you will spend half of your holiday in a hotel room, watching the rain.

Beaches of Nha Trang and Phuket: where is better?

Beaches of Phuket

Beaches of Nha Trang

In Nha Trang, all life is concentrated near the city beach. Hotels - both expensive and budget - lined up along the long coastline. As a rule, the walk to the beach is no more than 10 minutes. And it doesn't matter how much you pay for the room - 10 dollars or 100.

The city beach of Nha Trang is elongated, with a wide coastline. There are densely populated areas near restaurants and beach clubs, and there are areas where there will be no one around you within 100-200 meters. We stayed in an inexpensive hotel near the Sharaton, paid $7 a night for a room for three, and enjoyed an almost deserted beach with very few people during the day. In the evening, local residents flocked there after work and it became crowded.

In the vicinity of Nha Trang there are a dozen more islands where you can also swim on a pretty beach. You can buy a beach excursion to or go to the northern islands. A separate adventure is a visit to the water park, aquarium, amusement and entertainment park. Vinpearl has a gorgeous beach, the snow-white sand of which was brought specially on barges.

If you compare the beaches of Phuket and Nha Trang, then in Phuket they are better. But this does not mean that you will be completely disappointed in Nha Trang. If measured on a ten-point scale, then the beaches of Nha Trang will receive a solid “seven” from me, and the beaches of Phuket will receive a “nine”.

Things to do in Phuket & Nha Trang

There is a lot of entertainment in Nha Trang. In addition to inexpensive restaurants with cuisine from around the world, you can relax in several spas and mud baths, go to and, go on sea excursions, visit the famous entertainment center, which is reached by a very long cable car over the sea.

If you are traveling for two weeks, then if you wish, you will have time to go for a couple of days to a very beautiful mountain or even more exotic one, where elephant hunters live.

There is also a huge amount of entertainment in Phuket. Every day you can discover a new beach on the island, or go to a neighboring island. Phuket has a zoo, an aquarium, a Bird Park, butterfly and orchid farms, and the Tiger Kingdom, where you can pet real predators. We can ride elephants or fly over the jungle on a bungee.

In addition, only in Phuket you can see the magnificent shows “Siam Niramit” and “Phuket Fantasy”, which involve hundreds of actors in luxurious costumes. Expensive decorations, pyrotechnics and the scope with which the shows are made make them famous far beyond the borders of Thailand.

For diving enthusiasts, it will be much more interesting to dive in the Andaman Sea in Thailand. From Phuket you can go to the Phi Phi Islands or on a small diving safari to the Similan Islands untouched by civilization.

Phuket & Nha Trang: transport

Nha Trang is a small city. If you wish, you can walk around it all in about an hour. You can get around the city by bus, which connects almost all the attractions in the surrounding area. For long trips to waterfalls, hot springs and beaches, you can rent a bike. One day of rental costs 100 thousand dong - that's about 5 dollars. You can only rent a car in Vietnam with a driver (about $50 per day), because you can’t rent a car without a Vietnamese driver’s license.

If you rent a bike, be aware of the difficulties of driving in Vietnam. Local residents are unpredictable drivers who not only drive according to their own unknown rules, but also often get behind the wheel “under the influence.” If you have little experience riding a bike or are new to riding, avoid rush hour and busy highways, always wear a helmet, don't speed, and stay close to the side of the road.

Phuket is an island of a very convenient size - about 40 by 20 kilometers. In a week or two you can explore most of the island and visit all the beaches.

Phuket has a network of city buses. They connect all the beaches with the capital of the island - the city of Phuket and the airport, but by public transport you cannot go from one beach to another directly, so you often have to use a taxi or rent a bike or car.

Taxis in Phuket are very expensive compared to other cities in Thailand. We were trying to get from the bus station in Phuket town to our condo in the Kathu area. The distance is small, only 3 kilometers. Taxi drivers wanted at least 300 baht ($9) for the trip. I’ll say right away that in Bangkok we drove 35 kilometers from Don Mueang airport for 200 baht, paying for highway tolls along the way.

An alternative to a taxi is to rent a car or bike. A car costs from 30 dollars per day, a scooter costs from 7 dollars per day. If you rent for a week or two, ask for a discount.

Features of the island are mountain passes. There are a lot of them here, so you will definitely have to travel through the mountains. Some descents require certain driving experience and skill. If you plan to ride together, then take a more powerful scooter. We felt very comfortable riding the Honda PCX 150.

Well, I wouldn’t advise complete beginners to get behind the wheel in Phuket. Steep descents and ascents are not the place for training. In addition, the drivers are full of equally inexperienced tourists.

Thailand & Vietnam: food

I like both Thai food and Vietnamese food. In my opinion, Vietnamese food is healthier and less spicy. And the Thais put a lot of sugar in their dishes and fry everything in a lot of oil.

It is in Vietnam that you can try exotic dishes from silkworm larvae, crocodile and ostrich meat, eat snake and taste inexpensive lobsters.

In Thailand they use more familiar products, but in an unusual design. I really like Thai spicy soups and spicy vegetable salads.

In both cuisines you can find your ideal dish and food that you can eat.

Prepare for your trip in advance and read about the most famous and delicious dishes from Vietnamese and Thai cuisines.

Phuket & Nha Trang: prices

Now about the most important thing - the budget. Even if tours to Nha Trang and Phuket were offered to you by a travel agency for about the same price, a vacation in Thailand will still cost you more due to the expenses that you will incur on the spot. You will need to have lunch and dinner, pay for transport, excursions, entertainment.

A hearty dinner in a middle-class restaurant in Nha Trang for two will cost about 15-25 dollars. In Phuket, in tourist villages, one dish can cost about 6-7 dollars, and a whole dinner can cost from 30 dollars. Of course, you can always find a street food shop and eat your own bowl of soup for $1.5-2. But such places exist mainly in non-tourist areas of the island, which are located far from the beaches. In Nha Trang, you can choose a place for dinner according to your wallet. Street cafes with minimal prices are on every corner.

In Nha Trang you can use city buses - a ticket costs only a third of a dollar. In Phuket you can’t go everywhere by bus, so you’ll either have to reduce your travel or rent a scooter or car.

Vietnam is still a country with victorious socialism. Entertainment here is relatively inexpensive. Boat excursion to the islands - from $7 per person. A full-day ride on the cable car to the Vinpearl entertainment complex - $26, a visit to the spa with healing mud - from $3 per person.

In Phuket, entertainment will cost several times more. Sea excursions from $25. Zoo - $15, Siam Niramit show - from $50 per person, entrance tickets to the Tiger Kingdom - from $24 per area per person.

Since Türkiye has slightly lost ground, the eyes of Russian tourists have turned to the east. Of all the countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam offered the most suitable conditions for recreation. And if the first has long been popular among tourists and attracts them with its exoticism, then the second has only now begun to gain popularity. They are very similar, so the choice of “Thailand or Vietnam?” It is very difficult for tourists. We will describe the differences between these countries.

Climate

Both countries are in Southeast Asia. It is warm here all year round and there is no distinct summer or winter, but there is a rainy season.

Vietnam can be visited all year round. In winter, it is most pleasant to relax on the island of Phu Quoc, in the summer - in Nha Trang or Hoi An. It has been raining almost everywhere since the end of October.

In this regard, it is also democratic. It is most comfortable here in winter, when it is dry and not too stuffy and humid. This is especially true for such a popular resort as Phuket. In Koh Samui, it rains mainly in the fall, but usually this does not interfere with your vacation.

As you can see, in any month you can find a resort in Vietnam or Thailand that is better to go to. So the choice is not between countries, but between resorts.

There is another important point - acclimatization, adaptation to the country’s climate. It is less hot in Thailand, but tourists note that the heat is much more difficult to bear due to high humidity. This is especially true in summer and autumn when it rains. It’s easier to breathe in Vietnam; the climate is reminiscent of Crimea and Sochi.

Bottom line: The climate in the two countries is similar, but winter in Vietnam is not as comfortable as in Thailand, but acclimatization is easier.

Beaches

In terms of beaches, Vietnam is definitely inferior to Thailand. The water here is not so clear, there are many locals on the public coast, and the infrastructure is less developed. The beaches are beautiful, but you need to get to them by bike and there is almost no infrastructure.


The beaches of Thailand are cleaner and more equipped - except that in Pattaya the sea is quite dirty and not suitable for swimming. But you can find yourself in truly heavenly conditions. And in Thailand there are many more opportunities for active recreation.



In Vietnam, almost all beaches have a gentle entrance to the water, which is pleasant for families with children.

The water is always warm, but in winter in the south of Vietnam it rarely warms up above +25 °C, while in Thai it is heated to +27 °C and above.

Bottom line: Thai beaches are better than Vietnamese ones in terms of cleanliness and infrastructure, but among the latter, in the distance, there are very quiet ones with untouched nature.

Attractions

If you are interested in ancient Asian culture, then Thailand is strong in this regard - there are a huge number of pagodas, Buddhist temples, Buddha statues, palaces and other interesting places. The nature here is also very beautiful, and excursions, according to tourists, are much better organized.





In Vietnam, after the war, there are few ancient monuments left, but there are interesting modern buildings. In Hanoi you can walk through beautiful parks, and in Dalat you can look at French architecture.



Bottom line: For exclusively sightseeing tours, choose Thailand, preferably in winter, when it is not so humid and stuffy.

Infrastructure

Accommodation

Since Thailand has long been a popular resort, there is much more housing here - there are a lot of hostels and hotels even in the smallest resorts. There are various bungalows on the shore, and quite a few villas that are rented out to tourists, including some very close to the sea.

Along with a wide variety and high level of service come quite high prices. Often they are still lower than in Europe or the former CIS countries.

In Vietnam, the hotel infrastructure is not so developed. They have already appeared, but it’s often not very comfortable to relax in inexpensive ones. It is better to stay in three- and four-star hotels. Even in 5* hotels, prices are generally pleasing, especially since they offer fairly comfortable conditions.

Bottom line: For the most comfortable hotels, go to Thailand, for inexpensive ones - to Vietnam.

Nutrition

Thailand has a lot of cafes and restaurants, street food stalls, so you will always find somewhere to eat. However, it is very spicy, and some tastes and dishes are so unusual that it can cause stomach problems. Adapting to local food is not easy.

There are also many cafes and restaurants in Vietnam, but they often close in the evenings. Street stalls also leave early and are not open during lunch - the Vietnamese have a siesta.

At the same time, it is much closer to us - often it is ordinary rice with meat, fish, rice noodles or light soups. Moderate spiciness. True, sometimes they add an unusual nuok-mam sauce to food, which is made from rotten fish - this exotic is not for everyone. Fresh vegetables and fruits are cheaper.

Vietnam is especially famous for its coffee - there are ideal conditions for growing it. It is prepared using special aluminum filters, which gives it a special taste.

Food prices in both countries are approximately the same. Local food is cheap, but imported products like milk are quite expensive.

Bottom line: There is more food in Thailand, but it is unusual. Vietnamese cuisine is softer and less exotic.

Entertainment

If you want to relax as fun as possible, then you shouldn’t even wonder what is better: Thailand or Vietnam. In terms of entertainment, Tai is definitely the leader - even in small resorts there are discos and clubs, and in large cities there are constantly noisy parties, interesting and exotic shows. There are also many more water parks and amusement parks. And the adult entertainment industry can be the envy of any other country in the world. Water activities and diving are much better developed, especially on the islands.




Question to an expert: Which destination, Thailand or Vietnam, would you recommend for a holiday with children and why?


Nikolay Zhuravlev answers:
CEO
LLC "BUSINESS PLANNING EXPERTS",
experienced traveler

“Thailand is more suitable. Firstly, there is a much more developed recreation infrastructure there compared to Vietnam. Secondly, Vietnam has a completely different nature - the jungle with all the ensuing consequences. I once barely rode a moped around a huge cobra that stretched the entire width of the road and glittered under the moonlight so much that it gave me a shiver. Another time I was bitten quite badly at night by a swarm of some midges, so that the bites did not go away for two weeks. This has never happened in Thailand. And the main features of Vietnam, the freshest and cheapest seafood and wood products, are unlikely to be appreciated by children, since they are not yet mature.”

Vietnam has recently become popular among tourists, and its specialty is still calm and quiet family holidays. Noisy clubs and bars can only be found here in Nha Trang; noteworthy amusement parks and water parks are also found only in Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. And the Vietnamese go to bed very early, so after 10-11 pm the streets become very quiet.


Such a meager range of entertainment will upset the lover of night parties, but if peace and quiet attracts you, then Vietnam will be the ideal choice. And you can always go to Nha Trang for a few days and have a fairly good rest - the short distances between the resorts allow this.

Bottom line: For any entertainment, it is better to go to Thailand. If you are in Vietnam, then you can have fun in Nha Trang.

Visa regime

If you do not want to apply for a visa and you are choosing where to go, Thailand or Vietnam will suit you equally. There are no visa formalities at entry into these countries.

A Vietnam visa costs about $30 and is valid for 15 days. Placed at the airport after filling out a special form. In Thailand, upon entry, you will be given a stamp for free, which will allow you to stay in the country for 30 days.

Bottom line: You can enter Thailand easier, cheaper and for a longer period.

Prices

A flight to Bangkok from Moscow will cost less than to Nha Trang. Many flights with transfers. Direct charter flights during the season cost about the same.

Prices for tours are also at the same level, around 20-30 thousand rubles per person for two weeks. But a trip to Vietnam can be cheaper thanks to low accommodation prices.

Food prices in Thailand are higher, but not significantly. Goods and souvenirs here are also usually more expensive, but the range is wider. But taxis in Vietnam are one of the cheapest in the world, so you can save a lot on travel.

Bottom line: Vietnam is cheaper than Thailand in almost all respects.

Language

In Thailand, almost all locals speak English, especially in tourist areas. Even in non-tourist markets you can always find someone who speaks English and bargain. And in some resorts, for example, in Pattaya, there are entire Russian restaurants and shops.

In Vietnam, the circumstances are different - almost everyone speaks only the local language, price tags in supermarkets and signs are not duplicated in English. This doesn’t interfere with relaxing in a hotel on the beach, but if you travel around the country, you’ll have to learn a couple of phrases and get a phrase book.

Bottom line: In Thailand, you won’t be lost if you speak English, and in Vietnam, when traveling independently, you can’t do without a phrasebook.

What to choose

Travel to Thailand if you:

    Do you want to relax noisily and cheerfully?

    Appreciate the developed tourist infrastructure.

    Planning walks around the resorts and chatting with locals.

    Do you want to get acquainted with eastern sights?

    Would you like to plunge into exotic shows?

    Prefer the most comfortable hotels.

    Do you want to relax on cleaner beaches and sea.

    Are you planning a trip in winter?

You will like Vietnam if you:

    Do you want to save money on your tour?

    Interested in France - the French have had a huge influence on local architecture and culture.

    Do you want to relax quietly, in nature?

    Don't strive for maximum comfort.

    Have difficulty withstanding heat and extreme humidity.

    Love the coffee - it's outstanding here.

    Traveling with small children.

More details about the choice between these two countries can be seen in the video of an experienced traveler who lived in Samui and Nha Trang for several months

With the arrival of the first cold weather, I want to extend the summer more and more. Thailand or Vietnam, which is better? Where to go? Where is the sea cleaner? Where is the most fruit? Is it better to vacation in Thailand or Vietnam? Where is there a lot of seafood? Where is the climate better? Is it cheaper in Thailand or Vietnam? And there are many, many more questions to which I want to find answers. In today's post I will share my observations and impressions. My review of holidays in Vietnam and Thailand. Comparison of two countries and two resorts. In Thailand it will be Pattaya, and in Vietnam the small fishing village of Mui Ne, which is located near Phan Thiet. By the way, most tourists consider Mui Ne to be Phan Thiet. I don't know why they think so, but it's a mistaken opinion. Not the point.

Visa regime.

Night life

Transport

Shopping

Fruits

Visa regime.

Do you need a visa to Thailand? No need for up to 30 days. And if you want to stay in this country longer, then yes, you need it.

Do you need a visa to Vietnam? Up to 15 days of stay in the country is not required. And if your vacation is planned for a longer period, then my post will help you

How long does it take to fly from Moscow to Vietnam and how long does it take to fly from Moscow to Thailand?

Fly to Thailand (Pattaya) and to Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) 9 hours 30-50 minutes. Flying is about the same. For some reason, our plane flew back from Ho Chi Minh City to Moscow faster. We arrived in 9 hours 30 minutes, but it took us 9 hours 50 minutes to get there.

How long does it take to get from the airport to your holiday destination?

Let me remind you that in our case, the vacation spots are Mui Ne in Vietnam and Pattaya in Thailand.

From Hosh Minh Airport to the resort of Mui Ne (Phan Thiet) it takes 5-6 hours and it doesn’t matter what you travel on: an uncomfortable tourist bus or a comfortable sleeping bus. Flying for almost 10 hours, and then still waiting for luggage and riding a bus for 6 hours... It’s tiring. But it's worth it. More on this below.

From Pattaya Airport to the beaches of Pattaya - just a stone's throw away. It's not a long drive. We stayed at the Cozy beach hotel and it took about 30 minutes to get there. This time took into account the transfer of all tourists to other hotels. I’d rather travel 6 hours to the resort of Mui Ne in Vietnam on an uncomfortable bus than 30 minutes to the resort of Pattaya.

Having written three points comparing two countries and resorts, someone has already received an answer to the question: Thailand or Vietnam, which is better? I think the six-hour bus ride to the Mui Ne resort influenced the decision and most of you chose Thailand. Don't rush to conclusions. Ahead is the main point that will make you change your mind - the sea. Although, perhaps, this is not the only point. But still, if you decide to go to Pattaya, then here are more answers to the question in

Is the sea better in Vietnam or Thailand?

I will answer this question without hesitation that the sea in Thailand is worse than in Vietnam. Everyone remembers that we are comparing Pattaya and Mui Ne. I have never seen a dirtier beach than in Pattaya. And I have never seen a dirtier sea than in Pattaya. The sea is green and smells. Therefore, definitely Vietnam, Mui Ne.


Beach in Pattaya near the Koz Beach Hotel
The beach at the Allezboo beach resort and SPA in Mui Ne, Vietnam

Where is there more seafood: Thailand or Vietnam?

Comparing the two resorts of Mui Ne and Pattaya, I will say that seafood is tastier and cheaper in Vietnam. Yes, and there are many more of them. Almost all dishes are made from seafood, but in Pattaya, you need to look for fish places. In Vietnam they are on every corner.

Night life.

Nightlife in Vietnam is very different from nightlife in Thailand. There is practically none in Mui Ne. The only Dragon club is at the end of the village. There's a small dance floor and bed-shaped tables. Nightlife in Phan Thiet, but you need something to get there. I don’t think it’s worth writing separately about Pattaya’s nightlife here. Everyone has heard about Pattaya's Walking street and its numerous clubs to suit any sophisticated or perverted taste, as you please.

Transport.

How to get around Pattaya and Mui Ne. Or rather, what can you use to get from point A to point B. What kind of transport.

In Vietnam, if you don’t break the law and don’t rent a bike, you have little choice. Tourists can travel by bus or taxi. But in Pattaya there is more choice. Services available: tuk-tuks and taxis. If you negotiate, a taxi will cost the same as a tuk-tuk. But in Vietnam, taxis go by meter and taxi drivers take you straight away with a tip. And if you don’t know the way, they can take you for a ride. For your money, they will cover as many kilometers as you like and take you to places you don’t want, allegedly without understanding you.

Shopping.

Prices in Vietnam are lower than in Thailand. Shopping in Phan Thiet will cost you less than in Pattaya.

Fruits.

Vietnam and Thailand have almost the same fruits. And they also cost almost the same.

Excursions.

Excursions in Vietnam are more exotic than in Thailand. Although, who means what by the word exotic.

Even despite the long flight and long drive from the airport to the resort, I would go to Vietnam again. If only because Mui Ne has a clean sea, golden sand, delicious seafood in large quantities, and low prices. And I will remember the dirty and smelly sea in Pattaya, the sand on the beach covered in dog poop as a bad dream. Although, if you get from Pattaya to the island of Koh Larn, with its clean beach and blue sea, then a trip to Pattaya may seem like paradise. Not for long. Until you get tired of traveling to the island and back every day. Every day, 40 minutes one way on a scary and lopsided ferry to the island of Koh Larn is tiring.

And we look at previous posts.

Many tourists who decide to visit Asia for the first time think, where is the best holiday in Thailand or Vietnam? It seems that both directions provide a lot of opportunities. However, there are pros and cons. Taking them into account, you can already decide for yourself where it is better to go.

Flight

For example, from Moscow to Bangkok the flight time is 8 hours. Hanoi is 1 hour longer. Ticket prices are approximately the same.

Climate

The subtropical climate prevails in Thailand and Vietnam. In Thailand, the high season begins in June and lasts until the end of September. During this period, the average air temperature is + 30 degrees Celsius.

The peculiarity of Vietnam's climate allows it to receive tourists throughout the year. The average air temperature is +32 degrees Celsius.

Where is the best beach holiday?

Here it is worth giving preference to Thailand. On the territory of the exotic country there are a large number of different resorts, where all the conditions for a good beach holiday are created. The peculiarities of the beaches are that they are located both on the mainland and on the coastal islands. Almost all beaches are sandy with crystal clear waters. The most popular are:

  • Patong
  • Chaweng
  • Karon

There are fewer beaches in Vietnam, but they are not inferior in beauty. Shallow waters and a gentle entrance to the sea allow vacationers with children to calmly enjoy swimming in the sea. Lovers of a relaxing pastime will be able to choose any island beach in picturesque bays. Such places are surrounded by rocks, which provide an opportunity to spend a secluded holiday. The most popular are:

  • Chiong
  • Katdua
  • Changfu
  • Nha Trang

As for lovers of the underwater world, diving enthusiasts should definitely visit places such as Koh Tao, Phi Phi, and the Surin Islands.

Where are the best hotels?

Many tourists, especially those on vacation with children, pay great attention when choosing a hotel. There are no problems with this in Thailand. Almost every resort has a variety of accommodation options. On the first coastline there are villas and hotels of 4, 3 and 5 stars. They are distinguished by high service level and developed infrastructure. On the second coastline you can find several budget options, but even they offer clients normal living conditions.


You can find cheap hostels and hotels in Vietnam. However, Europeans will not like it there. There is no service, there is no infrastructure as such. Hotels from 4 stars and above have everything you need for a good holiday.

Visas

You can vacation in Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa. In Vietnam up to 15 days.

Internet

One of Thailand's main problems in the tourism sector is the slow Internet. It’s easier to take a different route: buy a local SIM card and there will be no problems with the Internet.

In Vietnam, even in the cheapest hotel you can safely use the Internet at good speed.

Nutrition

Fans of exotic dishes will enjoy Vietnam more. Here tourists can taste a snake, crocodile, ostrich, dog and even a rat. National cuisine involves a large use of various spices, including bitter spices. But there are more fruits in Thailand, since this country is famous for its warm climate and fertile soil.

Sea Food is in particular demand in both countries. You will see fresh fish, shrimp, squid, shells scattered on the ice. You point your finger and they prepare what you have chosen. These are the freshest products that have not yet been frozen. You should definitely try it. It is advisable to arrive early, because... late in the evening everything is eaten and there is nothing left to cook.

Where is it better to relax with a child in Thailand or Vietnam?

One of the best resorts for families with children in Vietnam is the picturesque Mui Ne. On its territory there are cozy beaches, completely protected from high waves. The gentle entrance to the sea provides additional safety.

In Thailand, it is better to choose Koh Samui. The absence of high waves and developed infrastructure of the coastline allows you to have a great time with children.

Transport

In large cities in Vietnam there is no metro; the cost of travel on public transport is significantly lower than in Thailand.

In Bangkok, a tourist will be able to choose any means of transportation, taking into account his capabilities. There is also a ground metro here. The so-called tuk-tuks are in greatest demand among tourists.

Where are the best attractions?

In this regard, Thailand takes a significant advantage. Here the tourist will be able to get to know the local culture and Buddhism in general. Curious travelers will be able to unravel the secrets of ancient temples, visit historical complexes, majestic palaces, etc. You should definitely see the following historical treasures at least once:

  • Grand Royal Palace in Bangkok
  • Baioke Sky Observation Deck in Bangkok
  • Siam Ocean World in Bangkok
  • Mini Siam Park in Pattaya
  • Ancient Stones Park in Pattaya
  • Nong Nooch Park in Pattaya
  • Big Buddha on Koh Samui
  • White Temple

Vietnam also boasts interesting cultural places to tourists. The greatest demand is:

  • Imperial City in Hue
  • Tomb of Khai Dinh
  • Linh Phuoc Pagoda
  • Hanoi Citadel

Entertainment

The Land of a Thousand Smiles provides many opportunities for active recreation. Numerous resorts are replete with entertainment centers, nightclubs and other recreational facilities. Go-go clubs, as well as various shows, are especially popular.

Holidays in Thailand are:

  • High customer service
  • Nice hotels
  • Luxurious beaches
  • Wide range of entertainment
  • Attractions
  • Transport accessibility
  • Diverse underwater world

Holidays in Vietnam are:

  • Low prices
  • Accessible Internet
  • Opportunities for a relaxing holiday
  • Interesting excursions

Holidays in both countries are a sea of ​​positivity and good mood!