Holidays in Vietnam and Thailand. Thailand or Vietnam? Where is the best place to go to rest? Accommodation prices

Going to South Asia on vacation, many are faced with a choice of which country to choose. These countries are very similar to each other, since they are geographically located close to each other. All these similarities are due to climatic conditions, geographic location and nature, so many tourists face difficulties in choosing a suitable country for recreation.

Having visited these countries, you can draw a conclusion for yourself where it is better in Thailand or Vietnam, but if this is not possible, check out the country's infrastructure, weather, attractions and the cost of recreation.

Despite the similarities in religion, vegetation and location, these countries are quite different. Thailand has been receiving tourists for a long time and during its resort activities, it has significantly developed its infrastructure, expanded the possibilities, the range of services offered and the quality of service.

Vietnam opened its spaces for tourists relatively recently, but already offers a decent level of resort recreation and entertainment. The great competition in the tourism business between Thailand and Vietnam does not allow us to say unequivocally which resort is better. You can decide on the choice of a country for a vacation by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of each country separately.

Climate of both countries

The climate of Thailand and Vietnam is similar and is suitable for a beach holiday almost all year round. Except when it rains all day. In both countries, the climate is subtropical, so it is warm here all year round, and for recreation you just need to select certain resorts. In Thailand low season starts at and ends at. The high season is in June - September, when optimal weather for a beach holiday.

average temperature in Thailand in high season it is + 27 ° С ... + 32 ° С. The onset of the low season throughout Thailand manifests itself in the same way and occurs at the same time, at that time. as in Vietnam, the low season starts in the north and ends in the south, so you can relax in Vietnam all year round. The average daytime temperature is + 28 ° С ... + 34 ° С. Despite the fact that the temperature in Vietnam is higher, it is more difficult to endure the heat in Thailand due to the increased humidity, which reaches 85% during the rainy season.

On the southern resorts You can relax in Thailand at any time of the year: it has the least rainfall and always excellent conditions for a beach holiday. In vietnam the Velvet season falls in January - February, so many people prefer this warm country for new year holidays... Thailand and Vietnam are washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand, Adaman and South - Chinese seas... The average water temperature is + 27 ° С.

Vietnam is exposed to more monsoons, so in winter the temperature at night can drop to + 5 ° C. In Thailand, such temperature differences are not observed and the average night temperature is + 18 ° C ... + 22 ° C.

Thailand and Vietnam beaches

Choosing Thailand or Vietnam for a beach holiday, you should give preference to Thailand. On the territory of the country a large number of resorts that are equipped with all the necessary amenities. are located both on the mainland and on, therefore, they differ in the sandy composition of the beaches and the purity of the sea. The beaches in central Thailand are overcrowded with tourists, especially during the high season. The most popular beaches in Thailand are:

• Chaweng.
• Lamai.
• Bophut.
• Maenam.
• Choeng Mon.
• Bang Kao.
• Kata.

There are more than a hundred beaches in Thailand. Some of them, under the influence of tourists, have already lost their beauty and purity, those that are on the islands and are less visited by tourists are heavenly corners... There are fewer beaches in Vietnam. There are only a couple of dozen of them, but in beauty they are not inferior to the beaches of Thailand.

Almost all the beaches in Vietnam are covered with brownish fine sand, and the entrance to the sea is gentle and shallow, creating sand spit a few meters from the shore. There are also beaches in Vietnam on the mainland and on the islands, so there is plenty to choose from for a vacation. Island beaches are located in bays, surrounded by cliffs and are quiet and peaceful places to relax.

In the central resorts of Vietnam, the beaches are more like azure coast, with white sand and bright blue water. Vietnam is more suitable for families with children, but for lovers of active sports there are a couple of suitable beaches. The most popular beaches in Vietnam are:

• Cuada.
• Anbang.
• Chiong.
• Bai Chai.
• Ngokwing.
• Katko.
• Catdua.
• Changfu.
• Nha Trang.

You can relax in Vietnam or Thailand all year round. The beaches here are identical: clean with fine white sand, the sea is warm and clear, and all the necessary amenities. The only thing is that in Thailand they are represented in more but despite this, they are always crowded. To enjoy beach vacation in Thailand or Vietnam, it is better to go to island beaches, such as.

Where is the best infrastructure

Vietnam relatively recently opened its spaces to tourists and has already reached significant heights in the tourism business. Today this country is equipped with all available communications, service structures and facilities for a comfortable stay, recreation and residence. There are hotels of different comfort levels, shopping and entertainment centers, salons, spas - centers and attractions. Nevertheless, Thailand is more developed in this sense.

Today, Thailand is the center of the entertainment and trade industry throughout South-East Asia... In addition to the developed infrastructure. this country has excellent transport links both domestically and internationally. It is renowned for its abundance of entertainment, exotic shows and cultural attractions. Thailand is distinguished by modern buildings and surplus civilization, which are harmoniously combined with national architectural monuments.

All resorts and beaches in Thailand are accessible to tourists and are easily accessible by public transport. So, choosing between Vietnam and Thailand in terms of developed tourist infrastructure, Thailand should be preferred.

Where are the best attractions

If you decide to visit Southeast Asia to get to know the local culture better, then Thailand is the ideal country for this. more than enough. Buddhist temples, temple complexes, Buddha statues, palaces and more await tourists.

Thailand is the center of cultural development of Southeast Asia, but the country also has enough natural attractions.

Despite the fact that Thailand has more must-see places, in Vietnam they are more appreciated as they remain the only remnant. architectural monuments left over after the Vietnam War. The beauty and picturesque sights of Thailand are mesmerizing, breathtaking and definitely worth seeing.

Where is cheaper

The prices for flights to Thailand and Vietnam are about the same. The cost of tours from travel agencies is also not very different, but the budget will still be a vacation in Vietnam. Thailand is now an industrialized country where the costs of civilization flourish to a greater extent.

Thailand also has something that cannot be found in the resorts of other countries, for example, red light streets, transvestite shows and entertainment programs for adults. Thailand boasts the largest shopping centers and alleys with shops of world famous brands. Most of the hotels in Thailand are 5-stars, so the cost of accommodation, food and entertainment is higher here. In Vietnam, all this can also be found, but only in large cities. Therefore, prices for housing and food in Vietnam are lower due to less demand.

Summing up, we can say that Thailand is more suitable for those who love a noisy vacation, full of entertainment and rich excursion programs. Lovers will love Vietnam quiet rest Alone with nature. Choosing between Thailand and Vietnam is best based on personal preference. In Thailand, life is in full swing, and Vietnam is more suitable for lovers of evening walks on the coast.

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

Climate

Both countries are in Southeast Asia. It is warm all year round and there is no pronounced 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 Phu Quoc Island, in summer - in Nha Trang or Hoi An. Since the end of October, it has been raining almost everywhere.

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 of such a popular resort as Phuket. In Koh Samui, it rains mainly in the fall, but usually it does not interfere with rest.

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

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

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

Beaches

In terms of beaches, Vietnam is clearly inferior to Thailand. The water here is not so clear, there are many locals on the public coast, the infrastructure is less developed. Beautiful beaches, but they have to be reached by bicycles and there is almost no infrastructure.

Thailand's beaches are cleaner and more equipped - except in Pattaya, the sea is rather dirty and not suitable for swimming. But you can get into a truly heavenly environment. And also in Tae there are many more opportunities for active rest.

In Vietnam, almost all beaches have a gentle entrance to the water, which is nice 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 Tae it is heated to + 27 ° C and above.

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

sights

If you are interested in the ancient Asian culture, then Thailand is strong in this regard - there are a huge number of pagodas, Buddhist temples, Buddha statues, palaces and others 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 around beautiful parks and in Dalat to look at French architecture.

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

Infrastructure

Residence

Since Thailand has long been 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, many villas that are rented to tourists, including very close to the sea.

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

In Vietnam, the hotel infrastructure is not so well developed. They have already appeared, but in inexpensive ones it is often not very comfortable to rest. Better to stay in three and four stars. Even in 5 * hotels the prices are generally pleasing, especially since they offer quite comfortable conditions.

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

Nutrition

Thailand has a lot of cafes and restaurants, street food stalls, so you can always find where to eat. However, it is very spicy, and some tastes and dishes are so unusual that stomach problems can arise. 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 do not work at lunchtime - the Vietnamese have siesta.

At the same time, it is much closer to us - often it is ordinary rice with meat, fish, rice noodles or light soups. Pungency in moderation. True, an unusual nyok-mam sauce, which is made from rotten fish, is sometimes added to food - this exotic is not for everybody's taste. Fresh vegetables and fruits are cheaper.

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

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

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

Entertainment

If you want to relax as much fun as possible, then you shouldn't even wonder which is better: Thailand or Vietnam. In terms of entertainment, Tai is definitely in the lead - even in small resorts there are discos and clubs, and in large cities they constantly arrange 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 sports and diving are much better developed, especially on the islands.

Question to a specialist: Which direction, Thailand or Vietnam, would you recommend for families with children and why?

Nikolay Zhuravlev answers,
general manager
LLC "EXPERTS OF BUSINESS PLANNING",
experienced traveler

“Thailand is more suitable. Firstly, there is a much more developed recreation infrastructure compared to Vietnam. Secondly, Vietnam has a completely different nature - the jungle with all the ensuing consequences. Once I barely drove around a huge cobra on a moped, stretching the full width of the road and shining under the light of the moon so that I shivered. On another occasion, I was pretty decently bitten at night by a swarm of some kind of 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 enough. "

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

Such a meager assortment of entertainment will upset the lover of nightlife, but if you are attracted by peace and quiet, then Vietnam is the perfect choice. And you can always go to Nha Trang for a few days and have a pretty good rest - the short distances between the resorts allow this.

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

Visa regime

If you have no desire to apply for a visa, and you choose where to go, Thailand or Vietnam will suit you equally. There are no visa formalities at the entrance to these countries.

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

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

Prices

A flight to Bangkok from Moscow will cost less than to Nha Trang. Many connecting flights. Direct charter flights in the season are about the same.

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

Food prices in Tae are higher, but not significantly. Goods and souvenirs are usually more expensive here, but the assortment is wider. But a taxi in Vietnam is 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 language, 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 generally whole Russian restaurants and shops.

In Vietnam, the circumstances are different - almost everyone speaks only the local language, price tags in supermarkets and signs in English are not duplicated. This does not interfere with relaxing at the hotel on the beach, but if you go for a drive around the country, you will have to learn a couple of phrases and acquire a phrasebook.

Bottom line: In Tae with knowledge of English, you will not be lost, and in Vietnam, when traveling on your own, you cannot do without a phrasebook.

What to choose

Travel to Thailand if you:

Want to relax noisy and fun.

Appreciate the developed tourist infrastructure.

Planning walks in the resorts and chatting with the locals.

Want to get acquainted with oriental sights.

Do you want to plunge into exotic shows.

You prefer the most comfortable hotels.

Want to relax for more clean beaches and sea.

Planning a trip in the winter.

You will love Vietnam if you:

Want to save money on the tour.

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

Do you want to relax in peace, in nature.

Don't go after maximum comfort.

Heat and humidity can be difficult to tolerate.

Love coffee - it is outstanding here.

Traveling with small children.

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

Turkey and Egypt, which have become the most visited countries by Russian tourists in the last decade, managed to get bored before they moved from the category of tourist Mecca for Russians to countries that are not recommended for visiting due to recent events on the international arena.

Now tour operators are intensively developing trails to Southeast Asia, offering a wide variety of tours - short and long, rich and calm, for family vacation and youth companies for philosophers and extreme lovers.

For the inhabitants of temperate latitudes in these countries, everything is unusual. Screaming colors, the intoxicating smell of flowers and, in general, all the smells, too loud sounds - this is unusual, but a couple of days are enough to, if not get used to, then at least come to terms with this oriental frenzy. By the way, the more expensive your ticket, the more likely you will live in silence: the most expensive boarding houses and hotels are located far from the noise of cities, there you will be maximally secluded with your companion or companion and with nature.

There are so many attractions here that you will not be revisited in a lifetime. Both ancient and quite modern, for every taste and wallet. The same goes for the cuisine: very unusual, but very tasty. Excursions, entertainment, outlandish flora and fauna are all new. As well as the unusual climate.

The vagaries of the weather, or When is it better to relax in Southeast Asia

It is impossible to cover the whole of Indochina in one comparative review, but one can take, for example, the country most visited by Russians and one where hiking trails not so intensely trampled.

It's about Thailand and Vietnam. But if - the most famous country in the tourism sector in Southeast Asia, then Vietnam is not so popular with Russian tourists, although by and large in terms of tourism and attractions, Vietnam is the same Thailand, only in profile. And this also applies to the climate.

In these countries, there is no pronounced summer and winter, to which we are so accustomed. But there is a mandatory rainy season, and its own for different regions.

Safety

And nevertheless, there are some peculiarities, which are the reason that the flow of Russian-speaking citizens from the CIS does not dry up to Thailand, but somehow without enthusiasm to Vietnam.

The main reason is various risks. If in Thailand a tour operator (it does not matter whether it is Russian or local) goes out of his way so that his client is not in danger and that his stay on this land is as safe as possible, then the Vietnamese tourist service, to put it mildly, is unobtrusive, and the client is not always right.

In Thailand, the risk of being robbed or robbed is minimal - unless the tourist literally runs into such situations himself. With everyone arriving on the hospitable Thai land, they are sure to hold conversations about what is possible and what is better to refrain from. So, each city has its own criminogenic areas, where the aborigines do not really relax, and even more so, tourists should not meddle there. Street acquaintances with local priestesses of love are also undesirable (about half of them are transvestite Thais, who are called "lady-boy"). The consequences can be the most deplorable in terms of material damage, and the police (if you go there, of course), they will listen carefully and sympathize with you, because you will understand your own inconsistency immediately after the offer to describe the special signs of the person who separated you from your wallet and valuable things.

In general, if you behave yourself correctly, your vacation in Thailand will be colorful and leave a lot of the most pleasant impressions. And the same transvestites are best watched during their performances, where they sing and dance on stage.

In Vietnam, you always need to be on the lookout. Local thieves and thieves behave, to put it mildly, unbridled in relation to those who come to rest. This attitude can be felt directly in the first minutes of arrival, when it may turn out that your luggage has partially or completely passed into someone else's possession.

In addition (a fact confirmed), when a flight arrives with Russian tourists, in cafes and restaurants at the airport and near it, waiters, without the slightest twinge of conscience, add zeroes to the prices on the menu.

But in fairness, it should be noted: Russian tourists are largely to blame for the fact that in all the countries of Southeast Asia, the local population piously believes that Russians come to them only to waste money. And it is true. Sometimes people who lead a reasonably modest lifestyle in their own country, for example, in Rostov-on-Don, once in the same Thailand or Vietnam, begin to behave as if they were possessed by an evil spirit of vanity and prodigality. Russians often litter money left and right, leave inhuman tips in cafes and restaurants, while Americans and Europeans scrupulously check every bill and check, bringing the servants to white heat - but spend much less money for the same vacation as we do.

In Vietnam, some hotels will officially warn you that they are not responsible for valuables and money left in the rooms. In Thailand, this simply cannot be.

But if you in Thailand decided to sort things out with local residents not only in words - you are guaranteed a night at the police station. They will not find out who first started. And depending on how much the Thai suffered during the showdown, you are guaranteed a fine of various sizes. In addition, it is likely that the country will be banned from entering the country for several years. If the results of the showdown are very bad, you can thunder into the local prison. The conditions are terrible there, so the best thing to do is to behave properly.

Fighting in Vietnam is also undesirable, but if anything, you will not be sent to jail. But they will take everything out of the wallet and pockets, to the last penny. You will not wait for the receipt for the payment of the fine.

What to see and where to visit

It is very difficult to stop at one thing. Ancient temples, pagodas, palace complexes, modern aquariums, museums - all this is in abundance.

Thailand

Vietnam

In Vietnam, you can visit the most famous museum - the museum military history located in. A must-see is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The same as in Thailand, the number of temples of varying degrees of preservation.

Waterfalls and islands are also included in excursions, in particular, a visit to Hon-Lao will be very interesting. In the year of the Monkey, it is especially recommended to visit it. Nature lovers can take a look at the Chi-Nguyen Aquarium.

But a trip to the Mekong Delta will be truly unforgettable. Wonderful nature, vegetation and animal world fishing if you like. No wonder they say that only in these places one can understand what Vietnam is.

From entertainment, except for oceanariums:

• zoos,
• reserves,
• fishing,
• diving.

Everything is relatively cheap and fun. And the animals you catch can be prepared for you on the spot.

It is impossible to list all the attractions and entertainment, but any travel agency will advise you on what is best to visit, and the guides will help you navigate on site.

Cards, money, visas

Both Vietnam and Thailand do not need a visa for Russians: you will receive it on arrival right at the airport. Visa-free regime applies to those who limit their stay in the country to fifteen days (for Vietnam) and thirty (for Thailand). If you want to stay longer, you will need a visa, which can be obtained from the embassy in your country.

As for money, it is better to exchange rubles for dollars at home. As in all countries whose budget is formed by the tourism industry, the rates in the local exchange offices in Vietnam and Thailand are absurd, especially when it comes to hotel exchangers. In banks, the situation is more loyal, but still worse than at home. Therefore - change in Russia. In Vietnam, by the way, you still run around if you decide to find an exchanger.

The card can make your life easier. Both "Visa" and "American Express" are accepted. But before you travel, warn your bank that you are going to go to Southeast Asia. There have been cases when, when trying to withdraw money from a local ATM, banks blocked cards, noticing activity in a third world country. You do not need this - to be left without money with a completely useless card away from your homeland?

Updated: 2017-9-6

Sergeich74

We continue to search together with the readers just in case. Although it seems that Thai double-entry visas are still working and nothing has changed for the winterers. There was already a blog post about Vietnam, an even closer analogue of Tai. Which is better? Sergey will share his opinion.

Among the inhabitants of our country, and especially among those who have traveled at least once in their life, probably every second was in Thailand. And, if 10 years ago everyone considered Turkey to be a kind of dacha for Russians, now it is Thailand that has thoroughly become the leader in terms of the number of vacationers from Russia. But not only our compatriots prefer the "land of smiles" to many other resorts in the world, but tourists from all over the world increasingly choose Thailand as a place for rest and wintering. And this is not surprising. Here you have an eternal summer with the sea and beautiful beaches, kind and smiling people, and the cost of living cannot be called expensive. Everything would be fine, but recently the Thai government has been adopting more and more laws that in every possible way complicate the life of the so-called winterers. First of all, it is the abolition of Visarans. So now many of those who return to Thailand over and over again year after year are beginning to pay attention to other countries in the Southeast Asia region. And one of these countries is Vietnam.

Vietnam cannot be called a discovery for winterers. And simple " package tourists"Has long been chosen by many resorts of this country. But still, if Thailand is already simply moved out and even in the north of the country there are more and more "ours", then in Vietnam you can still find places where European tourists will be a wonder. These countries are very similar, but there are many differences in them. And the longer you live and travel here, the more striking it is.

I have already managed to visit both Thailand and Vietnam more than once. I lived as in tourist places oh, so also where tourists (especially from Russia) are rare. So I can compare these countries as to which one is better for wintering or simply independent travel... I must say right away that this will not be a comparison of the type of who is better and who is worse. Personally, I liked both there and there! I propose just to compare Thailand and Vietnam on the points that will be important for any traveler, and especially for a longsteer. And the conclusions, where is better or worse, do it yourself.

The visa issue in Vietnam is very easy to resolve. Up to 15 days it is not required at all. If you stay for a longer period, then a visa is needed, but it will not be a problem to issue it. It is issued directly at the airport. This process will take no longer than an hour. But you can get it in advance, at the Vietnamese embassy in Moscow. The visa itself will be free, but you will have to pay the so-called consular fee. The visa can be single or multiple, for 1 or 3 months. The consular fee depends on the multiplicity and length of stay in the country: from $ 20 to $ 125. You can stay in the country for a maximum of 9 months without leaving, since a 3-month visa can be extended twice. You can make a visa extension at any travel agency and it will cost from $ 30 to $ 80.

To extend a visa (as well as to obtain it for the first time), you need:

• foreign passport, valid for at least 6 months;
• 2 photos 4 x 6 cm;
• an invitation to enter the country (done by a tour company or through special online services);
• completed application form in 2 copies.

That is, as you can see, everything is very simple, though not free. Thus, the winterers will have no problems with a visa. In addition, there is no need to leave and enter the country. Everything is done in any tour company and you can live in the country up to nine months! And in Vietnam there is a completely visa-free territory - this is Phu Quoc Island. If you fly directly to Phu Quoc and do not leave the island, then you can live here without a visa at least as long as. At least until the expiry date of the foreign passport.

But in Thailand, with visas, everything is a little more complicated. Of course, if you have arrived for no more than a month, then you do not need a visa, but for those who constantly winter or live in Tai, the visa issue is more acute. Usually, a tourist visa is issued for 60 days, and then extended for another month. There is also a double-entry visa with a total stay in the country of no more than 6 months, but one cannot live in the country longer than 90 days in six months (the 90-day rule does not work yet and it is not a fact that it will work, approx. Geleosan). You can also get a study visa or a work visa. But many winterers preferred to ride the so-called "Vizaran" (exit-entry from Thailand to a neighboring state with a stamp in their passport and thus permission to stay in the country for another 30 days). Now it has become difficult with this - Vizaran has been canceled! Now you can enter without a visa for 30 days only once!

Prices for housing, transportation, food, recreation and entertainment

If you are a budget traveler, then this will be the most important point for you. Let's compare in order:

Accommodation prices

Of course, it all depends on the conditions in which you are used to living. The more expensive housing is (this also applies to expensive hotels), the less the difference between Tai and Vietnam becomes. A rich man - he is a rich man everywhere and from such people in any country in the world they will try to siphon as much money as possible. Accustomed to living in luxurious apartments or only exclusively in five-star hotels - get ready to pay well! But more budgetary housing costs differently and Vietnam in this regard seems more preferable to me. If we talk about hotels, then even in the resort of Nha Trang you can rent a room with all amenities, air conditioning, TV, daily room cleaning and breakfast for 400 rubles a day! Try to find the same thing somewhere in Phuket or Pattaya !?

Long-term housing in Vietnam will also be significantly cheaper than in Thailand.

Transport prices

In both countries transport connection very well developed. And as an urban public transport and long distance. In terms of prices, the difference is not very significant, but still Vietnam in this regard will be a little more attractive. And that's what exactly - Sliping bass. Translated as "Sleeping Bus". In such buses, instead of the usual seats, there are recumbent seats. That is, you can sleep very comfortably all the way. That is why such buses are most often used at night. There are, of course, regular buses with familiar seating, but Sliping Bass is more popular than regular bus... After all, the price of a ticket for the "Sleeping Bus" is not much higher and is generally very affordable. For example, a ticket from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang will cost only 250 thousand dongs (about 370 rubles). But the distance there is 450 kilometers! And by the way, I was very surprised, but it turns out that Vietnam officially ranks second in the world (after the USA) in terms of development and availability of intercity bus traffic!

Urban public transport in Vietnam is slightly inferior to Thailand in terms of variety, but not in terms of price. For example, a ticket on a city bus costs only 5000-7000 dongs (7.5-10 rubles). Moreover, all buses in Vietnam are air-conditioned and always very clean. This is being watched closely here!

Food prices

Again, a lot depends on where you are used to eating. Lunch in expensive restaurants designed for wealthy tourists will cost a pretty penny in both countries. Well, it will be so in any country. We are primarily interested in the cost of food in shops, markets and cafes of the middle price category. When it comes to stores, it is difficult to give a general comparison. Much depends on the specific product. Unlike Thailand, bread, pastries and cakes are popular in Vietnam, so the prices for this product are much cheaper. Also, yoghurts and kefir, a rare product for supermarkets in Thailand, are not sold very expensively. Those products that are equally common in both countries cost about the same (in Vietnam it is a little cheaper). And what is not produced domestically is equally expensive (for example, sausage or cheese).

In the markets, prices are about the same, but this is taking into account the fact that everywhere you have to bargain! In Vietnam, it is very difficult for a European to buy something on the market at a low price! Prices are usually overstated several times! However, this is more about tourist destinations. Somewhere in the outback, it often seems that the Vietnamese are not at all capable of deceiving anyone. Only this applies very much to the province. I've been to a couple of villages where tourists never come at all - that's where the real Vietnam is!

In average cafes in Vietnam, prices are much cheaper than in Tae. Of course, it is difficult to talk about the whole country, but if you compare, for example, the resort of Nha Trang and the well-known Pattaya, then the comparison is clearly not in favor of the latter. In Nha Trang, you can arrange a real belly festival for 400 rubles. This money is enough for a few dishes, dessert and beer. In Pattaya, you will pay 2-2.5 times more for the same! If we compare the provinces, then the prices there will of course be cheaper, but unlike Thailand, in the Vietnamese province, you can even eat up 100 rubles together from the belly!

I would also like to mention street food. In Thailand, I have always liked it very much and I prefer to eat it. Duck, if you eat exclusively street food, then you can safely go to Tai and Vietnam. And there and there everything is very cheap and tasty. In Vietnam, duck is generally a penny! For example, in non-tourist areas of Nha Trang, you can have a great lunch for only 15,000 dong (23 rubles!). For this money, you will be given a large portion of rice with sauce, a grilled pork chop, a plate of fresh herbs and soup! In Thailand, the food from the makashnits is a little more expensive, but if you are not exactly a desperate backpacker with a budget of $ 100 for 3 months, then you will not notice much difference.

And another moment - alcohol. If you are a fan of spending time with a bottle of beer or something stronger, then Vietnam is heaven for you! I've never seen alcohol cost so cheap. And the alcohol is of good quality. And this applies equally to shops and bars. In Tae, all alcohol is 3 times more expensive. However, this only applies to locally produced spirits.

Imported alcohol is not cheap here and there.

Prices for recreation and entertainment

Entertainment should be understood as visiting various bars and nightclubs. Here I will also include visits to various spas and massage parlors, excursions and parks.

This is, of course, more relevant for ordinary tourists, and not for longsters. But those who stay in the country for a long time also sometimes want to rest and unwind!

Active night life in Vietnam (mainly concerns famous resorts) will cost you less than Tae. This is mainly a consequence of the previous point (cheap alcohol). But all sorts of massages and SPA procedures are about the same.

For those who like to travel to organized excursions Vietnam will definitely like it. Excursion routes are constantly evolving here, and prices remain quite low. Everything, of course, depends on the resort and the specific excursion, but basically the prices for the most popular of them are around 700-1200 rubles, while in Thailand they are popular excursion routes can cost 3-5 thousand and even more!

It is not very expensive to visit various amusement parks in Vietnam. For example a ticket to Winperl park in Nha Trang it will cost 500 thousand dongs (about 750 rubles). This amount includes a water park, an aquarium, an amusement park, a slot machine room and much more! In many countries, as in Russia, just visiting one water park will cost more!

Nature and climate

Thailand and Vietnam are geographically very close to each other, so the climate here is about the same. Vietnam also has dry season and the rainy season and very most of the country is covered with real tropical jungle. But there are some differences. In Vietnam, it rains in other months than in Tae, and the humidity is not so strong here. And sometimes it is even cool in the mountains! So for those who do not like high humidity, but still love the tropics, Vietnam can be a very good fit. And for those who do not necessarily want to live by the sea, but at the same time love the mountains, mountain Dalat is very suitable. The temperature here is always about 18-25 degrees. Tangerines and grapes grow everywhere. Mountain Vietnam is something!

Safety

Definitely, both Vietnam and Thai are much safer in terms of a criminal situation than Russia! I think the whole point is in the legislation, although the mentality plays an important role. But if, as they say, digging, then I would call Thailand more safe country... Here, after all, even the cars are not locked, and often the keys are left right in the ignition! In Vietnam, everything is stricter with this. Thefts are not uncommon here. Therefore, at night in cities, almost no one leaves bikes on the streets, and cafes and shops are closed with roller shutters. Pickpocketing is not uncommon. But it is very rare for Vietnam to come to you just like that on the street and "work" a cell phone. And if you follow basic precautions, then you are unlikely to become an object of theft.

In general, both countries are much safer than in our homeland (unfortunately).

Development of tourist infrastructure

Well, here probably Thailand is ahead of the rest! Everything here is done so that the tourist is comfortable. All inscriptions are duplicated in English, Tourist Information can be found everywhere. Everything is very convenient and understandable, even in the outback. And what about Vietnam? In Vietnam, in this regard, there is simply a chasm between tourist cities such as Nha Trang, Muine or Saigon and not a tourist province. Somewhere in Nha Trang, you don't even need to know English, many locals understand and speak Russian well! Everywhere they will help you and explain what, how and where. But it is worth getting somewhere inland, away from the main resorts, and you cannot do without ingenuity. They will look at you the way we would look at an African native somewhere in a remote Siberian village))) Here, almost no one knows even two words in English or Russian, everything is everywhere in Vietnamese and nothing is clear. But this makes it even more interesting!

Thailand is the "land of smiles"! Our compatriots have always been amazed that in Tae the locals are always smiling, always polite and ready to help even a stranger. For many, this is the main reason why they travel to Thailand over and over again. Many longsters who have lived in Tae long enough say that Thais are not so white and fluffy, but still a smile and a sincere desire to help a stranger will always win over.

But in Vietnam, you can much more often face complete indifference to you. And smiling Vietnamese on the streets of cities are much less. In this regard, Vietnam is more like Russia. Still, the mentality and warm climate give their imprint and outwardly the Vietnamese look more cheerful than the Russians. This is especially noticeable to those of our tourists who have never been to Tai and flew to Vietnam for the first time. To me, after three trips to Tai, the Vietnamese even seemed somewhat gloomy, but only at first. In general, for the most part, they are very good people.

Cleanliness and tidiness

Separately, I would like to say about the level of cleanliness and order on the streets of Vietnamese cities. In general, many people who have never traveled to Asia are of the opinion that Asian cities are filled with mountains of garbage and rats are running around everywhere. Duck, Vietnam is very close to this description. Not to say that everything is very sad, and we also have problems with this in our homeland, but so that even in large cities not a single trash can be found is something! All the garbage is thrown right on the side of the road here, and local fat rats are happy to eat this garbage! There are a lot of rats in the cities of Vietnam! After a week I even got used to not paying attention to them. In general, garbage is, of course, removed by special services late at night, but by this time food waste in the heat has time to rot, so in some places the smell is amazing))) Personally, I do not pay much attention to this, but Vietnam can simply shock true aesthetes!

Even in Vietnam, you need to be more careful if you buy something from street food. The Vietnamese are not very keen on food freshness and hygiene when preparing it. You can often see locals preparing food with very dirty hands or using perishable food that has been in the heat all day.

But Thailand, from an aesthetic point of view, is certainly a more civilized country. As a rule, everything is clean and tidy in cities. And ordinary Thais are much cleaner people.

Summary

These are probably all the points by which I would like to compare Vietnam and Thailand. As you can see, these countries are very similar in many ways. In Vietnam, everything goes to the point that everything here becomes the same as in Tae. And if you are looking for some other country (except Thailand) for wintering or just for a long trip, but you do not want to radically change the situation, then Vietnam is very suitable for this.

However, it is not in vain that many longsters will not trade Thailand for any other country. Having traveled to both of these countries for a long time, having visited both large cities and in the outback, I am more drawn to return to Thailand! And not because Vietnam is bad. It's just that in Thailand everything is somehow more convenient, clearer and simpler. Of course, if you live somewhere far from civilization and people (in a remote village or on small island), then you can't feel the difference, but in cities the contrast is felt stronger. But, if you still look for some alternative to Thailand, then Vietnam is better suited for this!

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What does an ordinary tourist need in Southeast Asia? That's right - food and lodging. Jokes as a joke, and if you want to find out where is cheaper - in Thailand or in Vietnam, then it is better to operate with prices for food and hotels. Everything else is very individual. Agree, it is illogical to compare prices for excursions or tickets to Nong Nooch Park (Pattaya) and Pongur Falls (Vietnam). But the prices for the same thing - for example, potatoes - can be very much compared. What are we going to do now!
Where is it cheaper: Vietnam or Thailand? Food and hotel prices

Where is it cheaper: Thailand or Vietnam? Food price comparison

To find out where it is cheaper - in Thailand or Vietnam - we decided to compare not just prices for the same products. We compared food prices in the same place! That is, in the Big C store. Fortunately, there are supermarkets of this chain both in Thailand and Vietnam. Including. By the way, having a Big C store is one of the factors that makes Dalat great.

In general, in order to find out which is cheaper - Vietnam or Thailand - I walked around with a notebook first Big C in Dalat, and a few days later in Pattaya. And he wrote down the prices for the same products that are most needed in the household (and not only). As a result, this table was born. And in order to better compare where it is cheaper: in Thailand or in Vietnam, all prices are given not only in baht and dong, but also in dollars at the average rate. Let me remind you that the exchange rate of the American currency to Thai and Vietnamese can be found in these articles:

Which is more expensive - Vietnam or Thailand - we calculated using the example of prices in Big C stores. Fortunately, there are supermarkets of this chain in both countries. By the way, guess if this photo was taken in the Big C of Thailand or Vietnam? Hint: Pay attention to the age of European buyers.

Where is it cheaper: Thailand or Vietnam? Food price table (prices are in dollars)

Thus, if in Thailand you spend 71.8 dollars on this set of products, then in Vietnam - 56.6, that is, 27 percent less. Here is the answer to the question where food is cheaper - in Thailand or Vietnam. Still, a quarter is significant. And this despite the fact that meat (with the exception of beef) in Vietnam is more expensive. But alcohol is much cheaper. And this is still not on the list of excellent Dalat wine for $ 3, which made ours even more fun and which you will not find in Thailand during the day with fire.

So, where is it cheaper - in Thailand or in Vietnam? The conclusion is this: prices for almost all products, except for chicken and pork, are lower in Vietnam. Therefore, we can safely say that life there is cheaper. If, of course, there is a Big C nearby. For the same category of travelers who faint at the sight of meat and turn green with the smell of beer, life in Vietnam will be a real paradise.

Where is it cheaper - in Thailand or in Vietnam? The price of many products in Vietnam is lower, and some are much lower. For example, wine there costs only $ 3 - several times cheaper than in Thailand.

Where are hotels cheaper: Vietnam or Thailand?

Of course, the comparison of hotels in Thailand and hotels in Vietnam is more conditional than the comparison of potatoes in Thailand and potatoes in Vietnam. But the categories are still comparable. So, let's try to find out where hotels are cheaper: in Thailand or in Vietnam? To do this, select the 3 most popular cities countries and find the most low prices for double rooms in all booking systems using the hotel search engine Hotellook.com.

Thailand hotel prices:

• Bangkok hotels- from $ 8.
• Pattaya hotels- from 11 dollars.
• Chiang Mai Accommodation- from 6 dollars.

Vietnam hotel prices:

• Ho Chi Minh City hotels- from 6 dollars.
• Hanoi Accommodation- from $ 9.