Thailand or Vietnam in June. Thailand or Vietnam? Where is the best place to go on vacation? Food prices

Hello everyone! As you already understood from the title of the article, today we will find out with arguments and facts Where is better Thailand or Vietnam. As you know, these are the two most popular holiday destinations on the globe for Russians and others. During your holidays here you can meet many tourists from other countries, such as America, Germany, India, England, etc.

I will compare Thailand and Vietnam based on my personal feelings and life in the resort cities of Nha Trang and Pattaya. Let's start with the fact that both of these countries are located in southern Asia, where there is always a favorable, warm climate. At first glance, life in these cities seems very similar, but each of them has its own pros and cons, I will list them below in the text. And this is me in Thailand with local Thai “50 Cent”

Thinking about where is better, Thailand or Vietnam, I remembered this moment. In Nha Trang and Pattaya, we lived in the city center; we chose this location specifically so that all the places we needed were no more than a 10-minute walk from home. In the evening in Pattaya, music is constantly blasting from everywhere almost until the morning, you get the feeling that the speakers are in the next room. In the first few days it is impossible to sleep, then you get used to it. If we take Nha Trang, then the situation here is absolutely the opposite, everything is quiet and calm.

Both resort towns are located on the shores of the South China Sea. Pattaya is located in a calmer place in terms of waves - in the Gulf of Thailand. Outwardly, Thais and Vietnamese are very similar, but the people of Thailand seemed to me more friendly and smiling. It’s not for nothing that Thailand is called the kingdom of smiles.

In these countries, the most popular transport is motorbikes (in our opinion, mopeds and motorcycles). In both cities, the traffic on the roads is very intense; in the first days it is impossible to cross the road, since they do not have traffic lights or pedestrian crossings. They probably don’t even know what it is 😆

There are no traffic rules as such either, so to understand how to cross the road, watch how the locals do it and in a couple of days you will learn :-) I stood and watched the traffic in both countries. In Pattaya, the situation on the roads sometimes makes sense to a logical understanding, but in Nha Trang I couldn’t understand anything.

In Nha Trang, a motorbike rider moving in the far right lane can abruptly change lanes to the left without turn signals, cross a double solid lane and ride in the oncoming lane along the curb - this is in the order of things. I was also surprised by the way some Vietnamese turn around on the ring, without making a circle, but immediately turn around in the middle and go in the opposite direction. In Russia, for such an act, at least they would honk the horn, they would catch up with them and register them as lyuli, but if a traffic police officer saw such chaos, then goodbye rights.

You can sit and compare where Thailand or Vietnam is better ad infinitum, so I propose to move on to a more specific comparison based on the most popular parameters, taking into account which tourists choose their holiday destination. Let's start with Vietnam.

Nha Trang:

Pros:

You can inexpensively eat almost any seafood (shrimp, mussels, lobster, scallops, etc.)
clean, free beach in the city center
on the first line near the sea there is a beautiful embankment with sports equipment where you can walk and play sports
You can get plenty of real Vietnamese coffee, and also buy it with you - a paradise for lovers of this noble drink.
there is an opportunity to ride on one of the longest cable cars in the world and visit the entertainment island of Vinpearl
you can buy natural fabrics cotton and silk inexpensively
Given the current dollar exchange rate, food is 10-20% cheaper
mild, favorable climate
you can buy pearls and other precious stones at reasonable prices
there is normal public transport with affordable prices - air-conditioned buses and cheap taxis
low cost of visa extension (6 months for three people about $160)
there is an opportunity to earn extra money on the spot: in bars, travel agencies, restaurants, watersheds
inexpensive alcohol, cheaper than in Thailand

In Vietnam, on an excursion to Yang Bay Park:

Minuses:

Shopping is not developed (few shopping centers and small assortment in markets)
it's a bit dirty in the city
in the evening in calm weather it is not recommended to walk along the beach, sand fleas may bite you
Vietnamese people bargain poorly and reluctantly
It’s inconvenient to swim in the sea because the waves are big, especially in the evening
the choice of housing is not so diverse, there is an acute shortage of condominiums
the people are a bit slow-witted (they only have 5 classes of free education)
few nightclubs and modern bars for parties
lower quality of life than in Thailand
no McDonald's

Pattaya:

Pros:

Shopping is well developed (many shopping centers, shops, discount centers with branded clothing and markets with a huge range of goods)
Thais are a more smiling people and bargain well if done correctly
many modern nightclubs and bars for parties
there is a 5-storey shopping center Tuk.com specializing in electronics - a paradise for lovers of phones, computers, photo and video cameras
a wide range of affordable housing from condominiums to single-family homes
many Russian television channels, both local and Russian
comfortable living conditions
There are many supermarkets where you can buy all the necessary things
developed tourist infrastructure
many interesting and unusual people from different countries
there is McDonald's

Minuses:

Dirty beach in the city center, you have to go to the islands to swim
If you live in the center, it is very noisy at night
high cost of visa extension and a lot of red tape, to extend it you need to contact the Thai embassy located in another country (the cost of a 3-month visa for three people with travel costs, if going to Malaysia is approximately $1000)
very hot and humid climate
no public transport except tuk-tuks
expensive taxi
Taking into account the current dollar exchange rate, food costs 10-20% more
alcohol is more expensive than in Nha Trang

While vacationing with my wife in these two wonderful resort cities, we came up with the following pros and cons that you read above. Based on them, you can choose the best option for yourself. I liked it in both countries, but next time I would go to Thailand.

If you always go on vacation to the same place, then be sure to spend your next vacation somewhere you haven’t been before. It is quite possible that you will discover a new favorite country for your holiday and a lot of new emotions and impressions!

I hope this article will help you decide on your choice of vacation spot. If you have any additions or observations, I will be glad to read them in the comments. Likes and reposts are welcome. Share this article with your friends on social networks right now, perhaps this material will be relevant to someone at the moment.

To more accurately answer the question of where Thailand or Vietnam is better, then, of course, you need to visit there yourself and experience the quality and standard of living in both countries.

Who has already vacationed in Pattaya or Nha Trang? Where have you decided to go on vacation this year?

• Minimum prices in inexpensive hotels in Pattaya are 650-700 rubles, in 2-3* hotels on the first coastline - from 1500-5000 rubles, in 4* hotels - from 1200-2000 rubles, in 5* hotels - from 3500-4000 rubles.
• Prices in hotels in Nha Trang: in inexpensive 2-3* hotels in the European quarter - from 500-800 rubles, in 4-5* hotels by the sea - from 4500 rubles.

Prices for such a popular service as massage in specialized salons in Vietnam start from 280 rubles, in Thailand - from 800 rubles.

Internet and mobile communications

They are very cheap in Vietnam. Tourists can everywhere buy a prepaid card and call home.

The average cost of a minute of conversation in Vietnam is 10 rubles, in Thailand it is 2-3 times more expensive.

It is most economical to use SIM cards with favorable Internet access using instant messengers for communication.

Dreamsim is a SIM card that is not tied to one operator; it works in 197 countries, provides stable communications, fast Internet and prices almost the same as those of local operators.

• no need to set up roaming or buy a local SIM card
• no subscription fees or hidden fees

Transport

Excellent in both countries developed both internal and intercity transport links. According to tourists, prices for public travel transport in Vietnam is somewhat cheaper, however, the difference is not very significant.

City bus fares in Vietnam are about 20 rubles, minimum starting price for a taxi ride – from 40 rubles, for 1 kilometer – 40 rubles.

Songthaew fare in Thailand – from 20 rubles, Taxis in the country are mostly not equipped with meters and the cost of trips varies on average from 200 to 800 rubles.

Tickets for trains, buses, ferries, charters

12Go.Asia provides online booking of all modes of transport on one platform, in the countries of Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Medicine

Quality of medical care countries are approximately the same. Prices depend on the severity of the injury or illness.

To receive quality assistance for tourists insurance will be required, without which you should not go on vacation, so that in case of possible health problems you do not incur huge unforeseen expenses.

Travel insurance

The best insurance option for traveling abroad, you can compare company offers and buy an electronic policy online.

Attractions

Both countries have a rich history and boast a large number of attractions. The choice of tourists in this regard is based solely on personal preferences.

That there have been no global military operations on the territory of the state for many centuries, and therefore there have been preserved ancient sights.

Much was destroyed by war in the last century, but in large populated areas you can still find historical palaces and buildings.

Excursions

Exciting excursions for vacationers and travelers in 350 cities around the world: Tripster.ru is a service of unusual excursions from local residents and guides who can tell you in an interesting and exciting way about the most interesting things in their cities.

Beaches

In both countries you can find both wild beaches and beaches with well-developed infrastructure.

The most are located in such resorts as Koh Samui, Phuket and Pattaya.

concentrated in Nha Trang and Phan Thiet. Vietnamese beaches, according to tourists, are wider, cleaner and not as crowded as the beaches of Thailand. They are more suitable for families with children.

Stay on the coast in a bungalow and you can only enjoy unity with nature in Vietnam in Fukuoka.

Preferring relaxation on uncrowded, almost wild beaches, you should choose Thailand - Ko Wai, Samet and Ko Mak.

Undersea world

For tourists, keen on snorkeling and, offering a large number of interesting dive sites. The Surin, Similan Islands, Phi Phi and Koh Tao are popular among scuba diving enthusiasts.

Entertainment

According to the number where nightlife is in full swing until the morning. In Vietnam, when it gets dark, life seems to come to a standstill. Therefore, tourists who prefer nightlife should definitely choose Thailand for their holiday.

Dangers

Travelers in the countries of Southeast Asia, among which it is worth noting the high risk of poisoning from unusual food, the risk of sunburn or heatstroke, the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes that carry dangerous diseases, as well as the risk of becoming a victim of scammers or pickpockets.

Both countries are interesting and unique in their own way. They are similar in climate, geographical location, vegetation, and even the appearance of the local residents. This is why it is so difficult for many tourists to make a choice. So, Vietnam or Thailand, where is it better to relax?

Despite the apparent similarities, these countries have quite a few differences. Vietnam is a state of victorious socialism, which relatively recently opened its doors to mass tourism. Thailand is far from a newcomer to the tourism industry; moreover, it is known for its freer morals. If you are nervous when you see sexual minorities, then you should go to Vietnam. With the rest, let's continue the comparison.

Despite the long coastline of Vietnam, there are fewer truly clean and beautiful beaches here than in Thailand. And diving enthusiasts will like the Andaman Sea on the western coast of Thailand more than the South China Sea.

As for entertainment, there is plenty of it in both countries; you won’t get bored. There are water parks, attractions, discos, monkey farms, various show programs... However, in Thailand, there will still be more choice and scale, especially for young people. The same goes for attractions. Fans of ancient ruins will find something to see here and there, but in Vietnam there are not as many “wow” places as it seems from the brochures.

• Do not miss:

Vietnam or Thailand: which tastes better?

Both countries have varied and delicious cuisine, so it is quite difficult to choose a favorite. There will be plenty of exotics: in Thailand these are fried spiders, grasshoppers and other insects, and in Vietnam - snakes, crocodiles, frogs, and even rats. So it's literally a matter of taste.

For those who like food with a hint of pepper, it is better to choose Thailand, where they mainly prepare spicy dishes. Vietnamese cuisine prefers sweetish sauces and seasonings. The main dish here is rice noodles, while Thais prefer just rice.

Vietnam or Thailand: which is safer?

Both states are not included in . Despite this, the crime rate in them is significantly lower than in Russia. If you don’t consciously look for trouble, your vacation will pass without incident. Robberies are rare here. Mostly, minor thefts occur, which can be prevented by ordinary precautions.

Overall, security in Thailand is a little better. This is noticeable even from local residents, who often leave mopeds with keys on the street, and shopkeepers do not even close the roller shutters in their shops. The Vietnamese behave more carefully, from which we conclude that tourists should also be wary.

Another danger is local wildlife. Ants, cockroaches, and geckos are a common occurrence; they can be found even in very decent establishments. In Vietnam, it is also not uncommon to see rats looking for food in not always clean gateways. And in Thailand, the main danger is mosquitoes, carriers of many infections.

Vietnam or Thailand: which is cheaper?

Budget accommodation is definitely cheaper in Vietnam, while there is virtually no difference in more expensive options. This applies to both self-rental of a house or apartment, and hotels.

The picture is the same with food. Food in Thailand will cost 20-25% more. The difference in prices for locally produced alcohol, which in Vietnam costs mere pennies, even by our standards, is especially noticeable.

In Vietnam, public transport is more developed, so you can get to the right place much cheaper than by Thai taxi. The cost of excursions and other entertainment is also lower in Vietnam. But in terms of shopping, the championship belongs to Thailand, where there is more choice and more attractive prices.

Thus, with the same cost of travel packages, a vacation in Vietnam will still cost less, due to the upcoming expenses on the spot.

Vietnam or Thailand: where is it better to relax?

Thailand's tourism infrastructure is better developed, which allows travelers to feel more comfortable. Road signs and indicators are duplicated in English; the population, for the most part, also speaks it quite well, which cannot be said about Vietnam.

But the climate in Vietnam is a little milder than Thai. Yes, it is also hot here, but the humidity percentage is slightly lower, which makes it easier to tolerate high temperatures.

To summarize, we can summarize the following comparison of the two countries. If you are coming for entertainment, beach holidays, diving and sightseeing, choose Thailand. If you are looking for peace and quiet, but your budget is somewhat limited, Vietnam will not disappoint you.

Thailand - 4, Vietnam - 5. Let's take two southern resorts: the island of Phuket in Thailand and the city of Nha Trang in Vietnam. During the most touristy time (winter), we found the second one much more pleasant. It's not so hot, the evenings are cooler and fresher. But depending on the time of year and as you move south or north of any country, the weather can vary significantly. In the north of Vietnam in March we were quite frozen, while in Bangkok we were sweltering from the heat and humidity. By the way, winter in Vietnam is not the season, the sea is choppy and there are downpours. But in the south of Thailand at this time it is simply amazing: the sea is clean, you can safely swim, the weather is dry, the sun is not as hot as in spring.

Prices

Food

Thailand - 4, Vietnam - 5. In Vietnam, it seemed to us that fresh vegetables and fruits are more affordable. But if we talk about imported products that Asians don’t particularly eat (like milk, cheese), then it’s difficult to compare.

Clothing, appliances, electronics

Thailand - 4, Vietnam - 2. The Vietnamese market is very meager compared to Thailand. Technology and electronics are not the strong point of this country. Everything is more expensive than in Thailand. As for clothing, there are several times fewer popular chain brands in Vietnam than in Thailand. Clothing from the market is again cheaper here.

Housing

Thailand - 5, Vietnam - 4. Thailand is very developed from a tourist point of view, so there is simply a huge amount of housing for every taste in any city. Any resort is built up with condotels and villas. There are many beautiful apartments and houses in European style near the sea, and the price relative to Russia is much lower. In Vietnam, housing is cheap, especially hotels. But finding something European is very difficult. We looked for an apartment in Nha Trang for a very long time and chose one of the most expensive options. All the rest were filled with Vietnamese-style wooden furniture. For us it was not very familiar and comfortable.

Internet availability and speed

Thailand - 2, Vietnam - 3. Vietnam has excellent and cheap mobile internet. It works almost everywhere, even in villages and on the highway. If we talk about the home Internet, it is quite unstable. Failures are usually associated with breakdowns in backbone networks. In Thailand, the Internet was dead almost everywhere, especially in guesthouses. Mobile Internet is of good quality, but much more expensive than in Vietnam.

Infrastructure

Thailand - 5, Vietnam - 3. Thailand is ideal for tourists. The roads are of excellent quality. There are 24-hour shops, street food, shopping malls, entertainment complexes, bars, clubs on every corner. Here at any time of the day you can find food for every taste. It's the same story with entertainment. Vietnam is much more backward in this regard. Eating or buying something after 23:00 is problematic. The Vietnamese go to bed together, and the streets become empty. Our favorite chain store, 7-Eleven, is missing. There are small grocery stores, but they look more like warehouses. And they work according to a schedule that is convenient for the owner. Shopping malls leave much to be desired.

Visa application procedure (simplicity)

Thailand - 2, Vietnam - 5. This is definitely a tick for Vietnam. A visa can be issued for a period of one or three months directly upon arrival at the airport. It is not expensive at all, there are no consular fees. Until recently, it was easy and cheap to extend this visa, but now it’s more difficult. The visa-free regime for Russian citizens is 15 days, but in Thailand it is 30. It is more expensive to apply for and extend a Thai visa. This can only be done outside the country at the Thai consulate. This process is stressful. You never know what the person at passport control will come up with. We give Thailand a bad mark for tightening its visa policy. In general, we now get into Thailand with difficulty, having several stamps for exiting and entering the country. It used to be much simpler, but every year migration policy tightens its grip. Perhaps Vietnam will one day become less accessible.

Food

Thailand - 5, Vietnam - 4. Thailand - This is a place where you will never go hungry. There is probably no such quantity and variety of street food in any other country in the world. Street food is very affordable and can be found almost any time of the day. Restaurants for every taste. But in Vietnam, at certain hours, food simply disappears from the streets. It's difficult to find something at lunchtime because the Vietnamese take a siesta. There are also a huge number of restaurants with delicious seafood. To be honest, food in Vietnam is closer to us. It is simpler and very affordable – $1 for a huge portion of soup or rice with meat or fish. And you can eat too much of it. And yes, we have never eaten such delicious rice anywhere else.

Transport

Thailand - 4, Vietnam - 4. It is very difficult to compare capitals and provinces, because these are two different things, just like in Russia. Major cities in Vietnam do not have a metro system, while Bangkok has both an underground metro, an overland BTR, and water transport. And also a very inexpensive taxi. Only 35 baht for landing and about 5 baht for each subsequent kilometer. But very often the traffic jams in Bangkok are such that you can spend a lot of money per meter. There are also a lot of taxis in Vietnam, and they are quite affordable. Buses are inexpensive, and there are a lot of bicycle and auto rickshaws. There are a large number of tuk-tuks in Thailand, but we don’t like to use their services; they often inflate prices. There are free bus routes in Bangkok, but these are usually wooden buses without air conditioning. The price depends on the type of bus.

Beaches

Thailand (Phuket) - 5, Vietnam (Nha Trang) - 3. We can compare two countries only by two seaside resorts. Phuket is washed by the Andaman Sea, which has a stunning turquoise color. The island has a huge number of developed beaches with good infrastructure and a lot of entertainment. During the high season, Phuket is simply ideal for those who love the sea. There are not many beaches in Nha Trang, the water is not azure, and in the evening all the beaches are crowded with the Vietnamese themselves, who love to come to the sea with their families. There is little entertainment, and the infrastructure is less developed. Although, when we rode across Vietnam from north to south on bikes, we saw a large number of beautiful beaches with blue sea and white sand, but these were wild, non-tourist places.

Medicine

Thailand - 5, Vietnam - 4. In Thailand, we visited both private clinics and semi-public ones. The service is at a high level, the staff is friendly, the prices are not so high. All necessary medications are given in the required quantities immediately after the doctor’s appointment. It is very comfortable. In Vietnam, we applied for insurance once. Then the doctor came to our house. He spoke very little English, gave us antibiotics and a couple of related medications and left. But I liked dentistry in Vietnam. Dental treatment was not expensive at all. By the way, as far as we know, there are doctors in Vietnam who speak Russian. There are a lot of clinics in both Thailand and Vietnam.

Adaptation

Thailand - 3.5, Vietnam - 3.5. This is a very personal aspect. Everyone in a new country always adapts differently. In Thailand, it was difficult for us to get used to food; both of us came down with stomach pains in the third week. The food is really spicy and very specific: completely new flavors that we haven’t tried before. Well, the smells. In Vietnam, the food is blander and simpler: rice with meat or fish, mild soup with rice noodles can be found in any village.

It is more difficult in Vietnam with adaptation in terms of language. Very few Vietnamese who have nothing to do with tourism speak English. All price tags in supermarkets are in Vietnamese. While we were traveling around the country, we learned numbers and a couple of phrases in order to find out at least the cost of food in a cafe. We often used a translator. This did not happen in Thailand. In tourist places, any local resident will be able to answer you in passable English. Even in a market where there are few tourists.

P.S.

Nastya and Yura maintain a video blog about travel and life in Asia. If you're interested, head over to their channel " Two tickets ».

Today they compete seriously, fighting for every Russian tourist. This is not surprising, because the countries are located next door, at first glance they are very similar, prices for tours in them are almost neck and neck. And as a result, it is even more difficult for a tourist who is going to travel to one of these countries for the first time to choose the most suitable option for himself. Of course, ideally it is worth visiting both countries, even if not at once. But if you do not have such an opportunity, your time and finances are limited, then you should approach your choice very carefully.

To make this task easier for you, I tried to compare both countries, taking the most significant ones in my opinion as parameters for comparison. This comparison may be somewhat subjective, but believe me, it was not the result of a one-time visit to one of the popular resorts in these countries. I have visited both Thailand and Vietnam several times, and not only to the popular resorts. Well, if something seems incomprehensible to you or you disagree with something, you can leave your comments at the bottom of the page.

• Prices

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:1

  Prices for tours of the same duration to Thailand and Vietnam are practically the same, although a couple of years ago Vietnam was a very expensive destination. When it comes to the cost of hotels, transport, food, and souvenirs, Vietnam wins here.

  But to make things even clearer, it’s worth saying that prices for some things in Vietnam can even be several times higher than in Thailand. For example, prices for exotic fruits in tourist areas of Vietnam may be almost the same as in our Russian supermarkets. This is due to the fact that the Vietnamese still see all tourists as a huge plastic card or wallet from which dollars fall out, and they try to rob every foreigner like crazy. Of course, if you start bargaining (and this needs to be done), the price will immediately drop significantly, but you must always remember this and know at least approximately the real prices to which you need to bargain.

  Taking all this into account, for a standard package tourist, Vietnam is no different in price from Thailand, so it’s a draw. But if you go to Vietnam on your own, then you can experience the beauty of being able to save on anything.

• Seasons and weather

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:1

  Both countries are great for holidays all year round. Of course, there are rainy seasons (low tourist season) and dry seasons (high tourist season), but for a real tourist, a little bad weather is not an obstacle at all. If you understand the weather in detail, then the high and low tourist seasons in both countries and even in their different resorts take place at different times, but in general you can relax there and there at absolutely any time of the year.

  The weather is a solid draw.

• Beach holiday

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:0

  To be honest, I didn’t find any decent beaches in Vietnam. More or less good beaches can be found on the islands, in particular on the island. Phu Quoc, but, in general, the number of beach places and their quality is significantly inferior to Thailand. In Thailand, you have a huge number of beach resorts to choose from, both on the islands and on the mainland, with the purest clear water and snow-white sand. It is enough just to list the most popular, world-famous beaches of the islands of Phuket, Koh Samui, Chang, Samet, Tao, Phangan and many others. You will not find such a variety of islands with ready-made tourist infrastructure in Vietnam. The undisputed favorite here is Thailand.

• Tourist infrastructure

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:1

  By tourism infrastructure I mean how developed is the country's network of tourist and public transport, hotels, entertainment and shops for tourists.

  Of course, tourism in Thailand has been developing for much longer than in Vietnam: there are more developed tourist sites, transport is somewhat better developed, and resorts are a little more suitable for European tourists. But Vietnam is catching up with Thailand in this parameter by leaps and bounds, and it is almost impossible to determine the winner. In Vietnam, new modern hotels are constantly being built, new routes are opening, and large supermarkets are appearing.

  Although Thailand is ahead of Vietnam by a small margin in this matter, it is so insignificant that one can safely bet on a draw.

• Attractions

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:0

  Both countries, at first glance, are quite similar: they are equally exotic, and the attractions in them seem to be very similar. Well, it would seem that there are temples, some ruins, waterfalls and mountains.

  However, all this is only at first glance. Unfortunately, the wars and politics of Vietnam have wiped out many wonderful sights from the face of the earth, of which there were not so many. Today in Vietnam there is nothing that, in scale and significance, even remotely resembles the Thai city of the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, the royal palace of Bangkok, the Golden Triangle, the temples of Lopburi, and the countless temples of the pearl of the north of Tayal Nad - Chiang Mai.

  In popular resorts in Vietnam, historical attractions are few and far between, and in order to somehow entertain tourists, tour operators offer multi-day trips to remote provinces of Vietnam or even to neighboring Laos or Cambodia.

  Thailand definitely wins in terms of attractions.

• Entertainment

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:0

  There is not even any doubt about this issue. Thailand is the undisputed leader in tourism entertainment. In Vietnam you won’t find anything even close to the fun Walking Street in Pattaya or the entertainment venues on Patong Beach in Phuket. And what is Patpong Street worth in Bangkok? Almost every resort in Thailand offers tourists cheerful bars, night discos, entertainment for adults and many ways to relax with a large family with children.

  In Vietnam, on the contrary, even in the most popular resorts of Mui Ne and Nha Trang, for example, in the evening there will be nothing to do on the street except wander around in search of a place for dinner that suits your wallet.

• Kitchen

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:0

  The cuisines of both countries are interesting and varied, and are not at all as similar as many people think. There are, of course, very similar dishes, and in any Thai restaurant you can try traditional Vietnamese dishes, and vice versa. But Vietnamese cuisine is not as spicy as Thai cuisine, it is rather too sweet. Almost all dishes, including meat, are served sweet.

  In Vietnam you will not find such exotic dishes as fried insects (scorpions, locusts, spiders, etc.), but just like in Thailand you can try snake, frog, crocodile, ostrich and even rat. The basis of both cuisines and the main product is rice, although dishes with rice and egg noodles are very common in Vietnam.

  Personally, I prefer Thai spiciness to the sweet taste of all Vietnamese dishes. Therefore, I give preference to Thai cuisine, led by its famous spicy Tom Yam soup, spicy papaya salad (Som Tam) and quite moderately spicy Pad Thai, and give a plus to Thailand.

• Number of Russian tourists

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:1

  For some, the presence of a large number of Russian tourists may be a negative motive for traveling, while for others, on vacation in distant lands, they want to spend time in a cheerful company of compatriots. Therefore, it is up to you to decide which country gets the plus.

  Although, speaking objectively and in general about both countries, there is no definite favorite here. If just a couple of years ago in Vietnam it was not easy to meet a Russian tourist, now there is no such resort where you will not meet groups of Russian tourists transported by bus from attraction to attraction on a tourist bus. Other resorts, such as Mui Ne, Nha Trang or Hoi An, have almost completely become Russian, and there are almost more Russian-speaking tourists there than all other tourists combined (for some this is only a plus). However, in both countries there are still places where it is not so easy to meet mass Russian tourists, and visiting them is the lot of rare independent travelers. In Thailand, for example, these are still the northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Maehong Son; not many tourists can be found in Bangkok and on the small islands. And in Vietnam, there are few Russian-speaking tourists in the mountain town of Sapa, the beach resort of Da Nang, the ancient capital of Hue, and the mountain city of Dalat.

  Overall, it's a draw here.

• Visa regime

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:0

  Russians can come to Thailand for up to 30 days, and to Vietnam for 15 days. Of course, for some this may seem insignificant, but if you want to stay in Vietnam for more than 16 days, you will have to pay money for a visa invitation (the visa itself is free for Russians at the airport upon arrival).

  So, in this parameter, Thailand wins.

• Shopping

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:0

  Most tourists believe that there is no shopping in Vietnam, except for buying souvenirs. I almost agree with them, but still... The Vietnamese make and sell excellent clothes and toys all over the world. In addition, the proximity to China has an effect, from where many cheap goods are imported and sold here with a minimal markup. But still, none of the cities in Vietnam can be compared with shopping in Bangkok. So Thailand has a plus here.

• Safety.

  Thailand:Vietnam - 1:0

  Both countries are quite safe, with very little crime. However, Vietnam is considered the safest country in Asia. Of course, in both countries the road situation leaves much to be desired, but you will only get problems with it if you rent a vehicle.

  However, in my subjective opinion, the number of all kinds of tricks and tattoos on tourists in Vietnam exceeds all conceivable limits. Unforeseen expenses in the form of fees for “passing the bridge”, double taxi fares for traveling on a toll road, the requirement to pay a person who imposed his services as a guide on you without your consent, and the like, can be encountered at every step here. Perhaps, if you travel on a package deal and are under the constant care of a travel agency and your guide, you will not encounter anything like this, but, in my opinion, Thailand cannot be compared with Vietnam in terms of the number of such scams.

  Therefore, here Thailand, in my firm conviction, wins over Vietnam.

Total:

Thailand:Vietnam - 11:4

When I started writing this review, I did not at all expect to get a result of 11:4 in favor of Thailand. I love both countries and enjoy visiting them, and the fact that Vietnam lost to Thailand in my review, albeit not the most objective, does not mean at all that you should refuse a trip to Vietnam. Vietnam is an interesting and wonderful country in which it is pleasant to spend a holiday on the seashore or travel to its remote corners, especially if you have already been to Thailand.

Wish you the right choice and have a good trip!

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tourism

Much Dear Author, I ask you to take note that you are mistaken about VIETNAM, I will tell you that I know this country very, very well, I was there 8 races and am very familiar with the Vietnamese cuisine and not only, and I want to tell you that you are very you are mistaken about the cuisine, it is not at all sweet as you mentioned above, and even very bitter, it is very exotic and I also wanted to tell you about the climate in Vietnam, if in winter it is very good there, then in summer there are midges that you They constantly bite both day and night, and regarding a visa for Russian citizens, it is not needed, it is only needed for citizens of the CIS (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.)