We Recommend Vietnam if You: Want to experience a big contrast in culture: Due to the influence of Chinese culture, French colonization, and the Vietnam War, Vietnam has a mixed culture and complex history. Seek a more affordable price: Vietnam is economical, definitely cheaper than Thailand.
If you're wondering if Vietnam is safer than Thailand, in a manner of speaking, yes. Vietnam has a lower crime rate than Thailand, and is generally considered to be a safe destination for travelers. Thailand, on the other hand, has a slightly higher crime rate, but is still considered to be a relatively safe country.
Although Thailand performs better than Vietnam on several development indicators and has higher GDP and per capita income, it now faces a slower growth rate. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Thailand's economy grew at an average annual rate of 7.5%.
Beaches in Thailand are considered by most to be more picturesque than beaches in Vietnam. This is where you'll find your isolated island paradise, with many beaches only accessible by boat. Thailand's two most famous beach destinations, Phuket and Krabi, are home to some of the most photographed beaches in the world.
Thailand has a GDP per capita of $17,300 as of 2020, while in Vietnam, the GDP per capita is $8,200 as of 2020.
Overall, the cost of living in Vietnam is lower than Thailand, even in a major city such as Ho Chi Minh City. As an expat, you can expect to pay about 20 to 30% less than you would in Thailand, although not everything will be more affordable.
Thailand and Vietnam were major historical rivals in Mainland Southeast Asia and still have an intense rivalry with each other. However, they have since maintained peaceful bilateral relations, especially as since Vietnam integrated with the international community beginning in 1986.
If you prefer being able to travel around a destination quickly and “see it all,” then you might enjoy Bali more. If you're looking for a destination that offers a range of different cities—each full of its own sub-culture, activities, and climates—then Thailand is an ideal choice.
Vietnamese food usually contains fresh, raw vegetables, whereas Thai food usually contains stir-fried vegetables. Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the healthiest in the world, while Thai food is considered the spiciest. Peanuts are also commonly used in both cuisines.
Weather: Thailand Is Hotter Than Vietnam
The so-called cool season is drier and more comfortable, but temperatures still easily reach 20°C and higher. Vietnam has a more diverse climate. The south is divided between wet and dry seasons, which is similar to Thailand.
You should choose Vietnam if you prefer more diverse experiences such as natural wonders (Halong Bay), colonial history, ancient towns (Hoi An), city life (Ho Chi Minh), floating markets (Mekong Delta), and more.
If you want friendly locals, pristine beaches, and a more relaxed outing – visit Bali. But if you want more variety in terms of tourist attractions, food, and cultural and historic offerings – visit Vietnam. If price is your primary criterion – you can visit either of the places on a small budget.
Most people who travelled to Vietnam will agree it is a magical country. The gleaming skyscrapers of the country's booming cities have a singular kind of beauty that shouldn't be overlooked, but it's the natural landscape that is truly breathtaking.
Vietnam's culture demands that you observe certain rules, although the Vietnamese are generally forgiving of unintentional faux pas and very welcoming to foreign visitors. Generally, Vietnamese people are very appreciative if they see you knowing and trying to abide by the customs.
The crime rate in Vietnam is not very high, especially crimes towards travelers and tourists. Of course you have to be careful like in every other country in the world. When you are in big cities or on public transport, you have to keep your belongings safe because it's always possible to find some pickpockets around.
We Recommend Vietnam if You:
Want to experience a big contrast in culture: Due to the influence of Chinese culture, French colonization, and the Vietnam War, Vietnam has a mixed culture and complex history. Seek a more affordable price: Vietnam is economical, definitely cheaper than Thailand.
Vietnamese is easier than Thai. The use of the Latin alphabet is easier to learn and start reading. The pronunciation and grammar are similar and take an equal amount of time to learn. The Thai alphabet has a more significant learning curve and therefore takes longer.
Vietnamese food is generally considered much healthier than Chinese food due to its use of fresher ingredients, less oil and frying of vegetables, as well as use of lighter sauces. What is this? Chinese food has high levels of sodium, which can generally be tracked to it's heavy use of soy sauce in its cuisines.
All these countries eat mainly fresh produce, plenty of fish and less junk food than most other countries. A trip to the local Thai market with its array of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and seafood makes it easy to see why the Thais rank so high in the longevity tables.
Indonesia offers stunning natural beauty and diverse landscape, as well as cultural and historical sites to explore. Meanwhile, Thailand is more developed in terms of transportation infrastructure, offers a vibrant street food scene and bustling cities, and is known for its cultural landmarks such as Buddhist temples.
Bali offers more hotel choices than Phuket does. If you're a surfer, Bali is your choice for its collection of world-class breaks. On the other hand, Phuket's beaches are more scenic and laidback, great for those preferring island beach escapades with a mix of water sports and just lazing on the sand.
Bali isn't the only popular travel destination where stomach bugs are common. Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia are also prone to cases of travellers' diarrhoea, alongside countries in Central America, South America, the Middle East and Africa.
Australia and Thailand enjoy a substantial commercial relationship, underpinned by the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA).
Vietnam has forged comprehensive strategic partnerships — the highest diplomatic designation — with China, India, Russia, and, most recently, South Korea. Many of Vietnam's strategic partners are U.S. allies, such as Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Thailand participates fully in international and regional organizations. It has developed close ties with other ASEAN members—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam—whose foreign and economic ministers hold annual meetings. Regional cooperation is progressing in ...