Which is Higher to Journey To?

Vietnam and Thailand are two of essentially the most visited locations in Southeast Asia, and for good motive. Each have scrumptious meals, historic temples, tropical islands and delightful surroundings. Nevertheless they every have their very own historic influences that make them distinctive in their very own method. 

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

Vietnam vs Thailand: A Normal Comparability

• Vietnam is located on the east aspect of the Indochina peninsula, whereas Thailand occupies the central west half. 
• Each 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 Struggle. 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 inns than Ho Chi Minh Metropolis. 
• Each locations are reasonably priced, though Vietnam is cheaper to go to than Thailand. 

Vietnamese Delicacies vs Thai Delicacies

Each Thai meals and Vietnamese meals are highly regarded all through the world. Each 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 Delicacies

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 typically very aromatic, with a whole lot 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 without doubt one of the few locations in Asia the place bread is fairly fashionable – the French launched baguettes to Vietnam within the nineteenth century, and immediately the banh mi sandwich is one among Vietnam’s most iconic meals. 

In style Vietnamese dishes embrace: 

• Pho – Noodle soup out there in every kind of eating institutions throughout Vietnam. Pho accommodates broth, rice noodles, and meat reminiscent of beef or hen. It’s typically served with garnishes reminiscent of beansprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, chili and chili sauce.
• Gỏi cuốn summer season rolls – Uncooked greens and generally shrimp, wrapped in a contemporary rice paper roll. Not like spring rolls, summer season rolls are uncooked. 
• Banh Mi – Brief baguette crammed with meats, greens, cilantro, cucumber, pickled carrots, and pickled daikon. This tasty sandwich is normally served with condiments reminiscent of pâté, purple chili and mayonnaise. 

Thai Delicacies

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 substances in Thai delicacies, which is spicy and aromatic. 

Different widespread substances embrace pineapple, papaya, cashews, peanuts, and coconut milk. Thai menus function plenty of gentle curries and stir-fries, with loads of contemporary greens. 

Listed here are some widespread 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 hen. 
• 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 purple curry paste and coconut milk. 

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

• Vietnamese delicacies makes use of a whole lot of uncooked greens, whereas Thai meals options extra stir-fried veggies.
• Vietnamese cooking strategies embrace 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 individual 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 especially influenced by its neighbors India, Malaysia and Indonesia. 

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

Vietnam vs Thailand: Seashores

Seashores 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 fashionable seashore resorts is Nha Trang, which is situated within the south of Vietnam about 400km north of Ho Chi Minh Metropolis. The principle seashore stretches for 6km, and is backed by a promenade lined with inns and eating places. Many guests take a ship or journey by cable automotive to Hon Tre island, which boasts an amusement park and a phenomenal sandy seashore referred to as Bai Tru Seaside.

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

The biggest and most visited island in Vietnam is Phu Quoc island, which will be reached by home flight. The island is thought for its seafood eating places, which serve a number of the freshest seafood in all of Vietnam. Sao Seaside is the preferred seashore on the island, that includes powder white sand and aqua blue waters. 

Seashores in Thailand

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

The 2000 film “The Seaside”, 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 Seaside in Krabi, Chaweng in Koh Samui, Sundown Seaside in Koh Lipe, and Thong Nai Pan Noi in Koh Phangan. 

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

Verdict: Each nations have wonderful 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 happen to get pleasure from diving or need to get your PADI certificates, you actually can’t beat the diving alternatives in Thailand. 

Vietnam vs Thailand: Tradition and Historical past

• Vietnam’s tradition is extra intently linked with China, whereas Thai tradition has been largely influenced by India. 
• Vietnam’s important faith is a mix of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, whereas the primary faith in Thailand is Buddhism.
•  The 2 nations even have totally different political techniques – Vietnam is a communist nation, whereas Thailand has a constitutional monarchy. 

Vietnamese Tradition

Vietnam has been via a whole lot of conflict within the final hundred years, together with a civil conflict and the conflict for independence from France. Tales of the nation’s turbulent historical past are informed within the varied conflict museums all through the nation, together with the Struggle Remnants Museum and Hoa Lo Jail. As a result of these wars, a whole lot of buildings and landmarks have been destroyed and reconstructed through the years.  

All through 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 one among its main meals being the banh mi (baguette sandwich). 

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

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

Thai Tradition

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

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

Along with Buddhist temples and statues, Thailand is thought for its exuberant festivals, reminiscent of Songkran and Loy Krathong Competition, generally known as Thailand Lights Competition, 

Verdict: Each nations have very fascinating cultures, histories and traditions. Nevertheless, in case you’re very excited by fashionable historical past, notably the Vietnam Struggle, then you definately’ll be taught so much by visiting Vietnam.

Vietnam vs Thailand: Landmarks & Surroundings

Each Vietnam and Thailand have very various landscapes, with mountains, seashores and delightful 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. 

Well-known Sights in Vietnam

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

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

Hanoi’s Previous Quarter – On the coronary heart of Hanoi lies its charming Previous Quarter, which dates all the way in which again to the thirteenth century. The realm is crammed with hole-in-the-wall eating places and avenue stalls the place you’ll be able to order pho and different Vietnamese dishes. d 

Struggle Remnants Museum – Situated in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, this museum options displays documenting the Vietnam and First Indochina wars. 

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

Hoi An UNESCO World Heritage Web site – With its yellow-hued buildings, historic footbridges and scenic river, Hoi An is without doubt one of the prettiest locations to go to in Vietnam. The city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Web site in 1999 and is thought for its cooking colleges and avenue meals market. 

Well-known Sights in Thailand

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

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

Wat Arun – Wat Arun is a phenomenal Buddhist temple situated on the west financial institution of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The temple contains 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 dwelling to one of the crucial photographed spots in Thailand – James Bond Island. 

Sukhothai Historic Park – Sukhothai is a UNESCO World Heritage web site that includes 193 ruins. The town was the capital of the primary Kingdom of Siam within the thirteenth and 14th centuries.

Ayutthaya – Based 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 web site consists of ruined palaces, temples, statues and monasteries. 

Verdict: Vietnam has a whole lot of points of interest and museums targeted on the Vietnam Struggle and the French colonization interval. Thailand is finest identified for its spectacular palaces, ornate pagodas and Buddha statues. Each 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 Round Vietnam

In relation to getting round Vietnam, the primary choices are practice, bus and flight. 

The principle home airways in Vietnam are Vietnam Airways, VietJet Air and Bamboo Airways. You’ll be able to 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 personal 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 one of the best Sapa excursions.  

If you happen to’re touring on a finances, Vietnam has deluxe evening buses which have sleeper beds, WiFi and TV. Buses will be booked on-line utilizing a web site referred to as Baolau. I traveled by bus all the way in which 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 important cities like Hanoi, Hué, Danang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh Metropolis. The practice is a little more snug than the bus and lets you see some fairly epic surroundings alongside the way in which. Tickets will be booked via Baolau.com or via 12Go.asia. 

Getting Round Thailand 

Thailand has infrastructure and a fairly effectively trodden vacationer route. The principle home airways are Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai Smile, Thai Airways and Orient Thai. 

You’ll be able to attain numerous locations by air, together with the main cities and islands like Phuket and Koh Samui. If you wish to go to a number of the different islands, you’ll normally have to fly into Phuket or Koh Samui after which catch a ship or ferry. 

In relation to overland journey, there are two important choices; practice or bus. For getting between cities, Thailand has plenty of vacationer model buses with air-con, WiFi, cozy chairs and generally leisure onboard. One of the best ways to guide is by utilizing 12Go Asia. 

Alternatively, you’ll be able to 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 personal driver for the day. If you wish to go to sure points of interest, you can too guide excursions with GetYourGuide or Viator. 

When you’re within the large cities, normally one of the best 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 trip sharing app referred to as Seize. Bangkok additionally has a metro system, plus the Sky Prepare which fits to and from the airport. 

Verdict: Each nations have a number of modes of transportation for getting round. If you happen to aren’t on a decent finances, then you’ll be able to simply get round each nations by taking home flights. If you happen to’re on a strict finances 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 Worldwide Airport, which is a serious transportation hub and has 1000’s of connecting flights to locations everywhere in the world. 

Locations 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 situated at reverse ends of the nation. Locations 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 best ways to do it’s fly into Phnom Penh and work your method north to Hanoi. Or you might do it the opposite method spherical, beginning in Hanoi and dealing your method south to Phnom Penh. 

Operating 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 (Could) prices round $800 round-trip in case you’re prepared to have a stopover in Helsinki, Zurich, Dubai or Vienna. If you happen to’d desire a direct flight, count on to pay round $1000 round-trip with Thai Airways. 

I additionally ran an analogous 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

Guests 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. Residents of 80 nations (together with the US) 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 might enter and exit Vietnam via 33 designated worldwide border gates, together with all worldwide airports. Right here’s the official web site the place you’ll be able to apply for an eVisa. The visa takes 3 working days to course of, so be sure you do it upfront. 

If you happen to’re arriving by air, it’s additionally doable 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. 

In relation to visas, Thailand is clearly the winner right here, since a visa isn’t required for entry. 

Vietnam vs Thailand: Folks

By way of friendliness, I most well-liked Thailand over Vietnam. Thailand is named “The Land of Smiles” as a result of there are no less than 13 totally different smiles {that a} Thai individual would possibly use to convey totally different messaging. 

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

There are some scams although that it’s essential be careful for. After 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 points of interest. Be sure to 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 generally ripped off. We took fairly a couple of evening buses, and once we arrived at our vacation spot, the bus would typically be swarmed by locals providing transportation, lodging and many others. Generally they had been fairly persistent and adopted us down the road. In Hoi An, I keep 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 problem when touring, nevertheless it simply felt much more intense in Vietnam than it did in different Southeast Asian nations. 

After we rode the bus from Hanoi to Luang Prabang, some vacationers had been offered tickets to Vang Vieng, besides there was no cease in Vang Vieng. They had 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 individuals being ripped off or overcharged in Vietnam, and Nomadic Matt wrote an article about it right here. A number of the native eating places in Vietnam have particular menus for vacationers which have increased costs than the native menus. Nevertheless, it’s vital to keep in mind that the individuals there are very poor, so tourism is their bread and butter. 

On a closing be aware, fewer individuals appeared to talk English in Vietnam than in Thailand, so there was a bit extra of a language barrier. This generally led to combine ups and confusion, particularly when looking for our method round. 

A Closing Phrase…

If in case you have the time, I’d suggest you do each. If you happen to can solely go to one, that’s a troublesome one. In response to Statista, Thailand is essentially 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 highly regarded. It’s a fantastic nation for first-time guests, with a really well-trodden vacationer route and really pleasant and welcoming individuals. 

Bangkok is without doubt one of the world’s most iconic cities, with plenty of reasonably priced, but luxurious inns to remain at. It’s value spending a couple of days within the capital, earlier than heading north to Chiang Mai, or south to Thailand’s lovely islands. If you happen to’re a seashore lover, you’ll love islands like Koh Tao, Koh Lipe, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. 

But in some way, Vietnam wins for me. Don’t get me mistaken, Thailand is unimaginable and price visiting no less than as soon as in your lifetime.   

Nevertheless, I desire Vietnamese delicacies over Thai meals, and will eat pho and summer season rolls for days. I additionally discovered Vietnam’s historical past very fascinating, and cherished the French colonial structure and cultural influences. Hoi An was one of the crucial memorable cities I visited on my jaunt via Southeast Asia, and I’d fortunately suggest it to mates.

Whereas 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. Generally it’s arduous to place a finger on it, however some locations you simply fall in love with greater than others. Vietnam was a type of for me.