News Forum - Thailand vs. Vietnam travel guide

[Thaiger]

Thinking of going to Thailand or Vietnam and wondering about some of the differences between the two? Here, we have a short guide on the major differences between two of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations. From different cuisines to top attractions, both countries offer amazing experiences for even the most well-travelled visitors. 1. History and culture Vietnam has a French colonial history, along with Chinese and Buddhist cultures. Thailand has kingdom-based culture and a more Western lifestyle. It also has a Buddhist culture. 2. Convenience of travel Thailand has easier ways in which to travel and faster access within the […]

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[Highlandman]

Outdated advice that is heavily biased in favor of Thailand. Don't get me wrong, Thailand is still great. Let's be a bit more realistic here.

Gone are the days when the largest mall in Vietnam, called Diamond Plaza and located near the central post office and famous Catholic church could be compared to Big C Lampang or Tesco Lotus Khon Kaen in 2005.

There are now several AEON Mega malls at least in Saigon, which are every bit as good as upcountry Central Plazas at least. Even Hanoi now has a good large mall and Da Nang is getting in on the act too.

Vietnam has an increasing amount of international standard hotels and boutique hotels too. The standards are every bit as good as what one can find in Thailand. It's 2022 now, not 2002 when this article would have accurately described the differences on the ground. Vietnam has virtually caught up to Thailand now and exceeds it in some respects, which I'll explain below.

Transportation within Vietnam - Vietnams domestic air transportation network is far more developed and superior to Thailand's. One doesn't need to transit the capital for nearly every flight as is the case in Thailand, you can generally find plenty of cross-country flights with examples including Da Nang to Dalat, Da Nang to Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh to Phu Quoc, Hai Phong to Da Nang and many many others. You can fly on a new, wide body A350 or B787 operated by Vietnam Airlines on routes between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang and Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh and even Hanoi and Phu Quoc. Bamboo Airways also operates B787 flights on some of the aforementioned flight sectors. Business class service is also available on many domestic routes at least on Vietnam Airlines. Many of the passengers on board domestic flights are local businessmen and tourists, unlike in Thailand where on Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai services, it's mostly foreign tourists and hardly any locals, except for those in relationships with foreigners who reside in these locations.

In Thailand, widebody domestic services are now confined to history, with the exception of Etihad and Emirates flights between Bangkok and Phuket, but I'm not sure they're allowed to carry passengers solely on these domestic legs.

THAI has pulled out of domestic travel entirely, which is a great embarrassment to the country for a once great airline. It's no longer possible to fly business class or indeed on any THAI Airways domestic flight even to Phuket and Chiang Mai, which could be profitable even with just foreigners on board. In fact, as I mentioned these routes mostly carried foreigners. Now one has to make do with either expensive narrowbody Bangkok Airways flights mostly using A319 jets or ATR turboprops (the latter are mainly used on those routes not involving Bangkok), THAI Smile, which offers a similar service to Bangkok Air or low cost carriers such as Vietjet or Air Asia.

Flying within Vietnam offers more routes, more flights, more competition and proper full service options if you so desire (usually at a reasonable price).

Long-distance train service within Thailand is nothing to write home about either and roughly the same standard as in Vietnam. It is being upgraded to dual track and of course the high speed railway are being developed as we speak, the first leg will go only as far as Nakorn Ratchasima, which is silly really as the motorway, which is nearly completed will be far more popular and useful as most middle class people own cars and Korat isn't exactly a place well known to foreign tourists nor does it have anything much of visitor interest. So it will take 5-10 years before train travel within Thailand can make the claim that its superior to Vietnam assuming Vietnam doesn't invest in upgrading its rail infrastructure in the meantime (so far it is not showing any signs it will).

Where Thailand does excel is in its urban public transport, particularly the comprehensive MRT and BTS systems in greater Bangkok, the extensive taxi fleet now also in larger upcountry cities, and its highway infrastructure.

This means for the average traveler, getting around urban areas is easy and offers many options, unlike Vietnams long delayed mass transit options, with only one skytrain line currently operating in Hanoi, after a decade of delays. The Saigon system won't have its first line running until late 2023 at the earliest. 

Bus services in both countries are about equally good though Thai services are naturally faster due to superior highways. Due to lower incomes and even higher car prices, most Vietnamese tend to use buses to travel long distances, hence why their bus networks are very comprehensive. Those with a little more money will fly, whereas in Thailand the average local or tourist that isn't a backpacker will drive a car to get around the country, unless they're spending all their time only in one location such as Chiang Mai or Phuket.

This probably explains why cross country flights (meaning any flight that doesn't fly to/from Bangkok) are so unpopular in Thailand. For the few passengers who would choose to fly between say Ubon and Chiang Mai, it makes more sense just to drive or perhaps catch an overnight bus, despite the long distances, hence why such flights are only offered a few times a week due to low demand.

 

Edited November 5, 2022 by Highlandman

[Highlandman]

Best times to visit - this article totally ignores the rather cool and gloomy winter weather of central and northern Vietnam making it appear as though the entirety of Vietnam is hot and sunny as upper Thailand is during that time of year.

There are marked differences between southern and central/northern Vietnam in terms of climate. 

Southern Vietnam (meaning anywhere south of Nha Trang) is indeed best visited between November (or late October) and April or early May, as that's the dry season with little rain. Very occasionally, a storm or typhoon might hit during this period but it's very rare. Generally, such weather systems impact central or northern Vietnam and typically between October and January. However, a major typhoon hit southern Vietnam, affecting the region between Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang in April 2012 causing extensive damage, uprooting trees and power lines and creating flash flooding in Ho Chi Minh City as well as Nha Trang.

Central Vietnam experiences moderate to heavy rain, the latter usually the result of typhoons, between October and early January (typhoon season). Flooding can be extensive and land slides are common in inland mountainous areas. Ditto for north-central Vietnam such as around Dong Ha and Vinh.

Hanoi is usually spared such events but drizzle and heavy cloud cover with little to no sun is the norm between late December and March. During that time, maximum temperatures rarely exceed 22 degrees C with minimums around 10-16, sometimes lower. Hanoi winters feel more like Sydney or Athens than what is supposed to be a tropical country. Pack a warm sweater and maybe even a hot water bottle for sleeping at night.

Water temperatures are cool (usually below 20 degrees C) and seas can be rough, anywhere north of Nha Trang from late November through to early April. 

By contrast, Thai seas are always warm year round, with little variation between seasons, no matter where you are in the country. The only consideration is how much it rains, which will depend where you are located, the Gulf or Andaman coast. Anywhere north of Koh Tao in the Gulf or pretty much the entire Andaman coast is dry and beach worthy between November and early May. 

Koh Samui and the southern portions of the Gulf Coast down to the Malaysian border experience a second monsoon from December through February, however, it's usually possible to find sunny weather even during this period. 

Thailand clearly emerges as the winner in the climate and beach stakes. Vietnam is a year round beach destination only in the south, but note that Phu Quoc gets really wet during the rainy season and thus is best avoided between June and September. Con Dao is even worse, only go there between November and April. Mui Ne and nearby areas are by contrast, a year round destination with little rain or cloudy weather even in August.

Nha Trang is OK year round but sunseekers might want to go elsewhere between late November and early February, due to rough seas and reduced sunshine. Russians used to visit extensively during this time, but for them even 15 degrees is considered "warm". Da Nang, Hoi An etc are definitely not beach destinations during winter. 

Edited November 5, 2022 by Highlandman

[Soidog]

1 hour ago, Highlandman said:

Best times to visit - this article totally ignores the rather cool and gloomy winter weather of central and northern Vietnam making it appear as though the entirety of Vietnam is hot and sunny as upper Thailand is during that time of year.

There are marked differences between southern and central/northern Vietnam in terms of climate. 

Southern Vietnam (meaning anywhere south of Nha Trang) is indeed best visited between November (or late October) and April or early May, as that's the dry season with little rain. Very occasionally, a storm or typhoon might hit during this period but it's very rare. Generally, such weather systems impact central or northern Vietnam and typically between October and January. However, a major typhoon hit southern Vietnam, affecting the region between Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang in April 2012 causing extensive damage, uprooting trees and power lines and creating flash flooding in Ho Chi Minh City as well as Nha Trang.

Central Vietnam experiences moderate to heavy rain, the latter usually the result of typhoons, between October and early January (typhoon season). Flooding can be extensive and land slides are common in inland mountainous areas. Ditto for north-central Vietnam such as around Dong Ha and Vinh.

Hanoi is usually spared such events but drizzle and heavy cloud cover with little to no sun is the norm between late December and March. During that time, maximum temperatures rarely exceed 22 degrees C with minimums around 10-16, sometimes lower. Hanoi winters feel more like Sydney or Athens than what is supposed to be a tropical country. Pack a warm sweater and maybe even a hot water bottle for sleeping at night.

Water temperatures are cool (usually below 20 degrees C) and seas can be rough, anywhere north of Nha Trang from late November through to early April. 

By contrast, Thai seas are always warm year round, with little variation between seasons, no matter where you are in the country. The only consideration is how much it rains, which will depend where you are located, the Gulf or Andaman coast. Anywhere north of Koh Tao in the Gulf or pretty much the entire Andaman coast is dry and beach worthy between November and early May. 

Koh Samui and the southern portions of the Gulf Coast down to the Malaysian border experience a second monsoon from December through February, however, it's usually possible to find sunny weather even during this period. 

Thailand clearly emerges as the winner in the climate and beach stakes. Vietnam is a year round beach destination only in the south, but note that Phu Quoc gets really wet during the rainy season and thus is best avoided between June and September. Con Dao is even worse, only go there between November and April. Mui Ne and nearby areas are by contrast, a year round destination with little rain or cloudy weather even in August.

Nha Trang is OK year round but sunseekers might want to go elsewhere between late November and early February, due to rough seas and reduced sunshine. Russians used to visit extensively during this time, but for them even 15 degrees is considered "warm". Da Nang, Hoi An etc are definitely not beach destinations during winter. 

Are you a travel writer? If not, you should be. Some great information and unbiased comparisons

[Highlandman]

1 hour ago, Soidog said:

Are you a travel writer? If not, you should be. Some great information and unbiased comparisons

Thank you. I'm not actually, although I have made some contributions to travel forums and travel blogs over the years but only as a hobby.