Vacation in Vietnam or Thailand. Vietnam or Thailand – what should a tourist choose? Where is there more seafood: in Thailand or Vietnam?

Hello citizens who love to travel! Two most interesting countries which is better Vietnam or Thailand? If you are looking for, where is it better to go, Vietnam or Thailand, then you have come to the right place! We will tell you in detail about the intricacies, features, advantages and disadvantages of holidays in two wonderful countries. You're ready, let's go! Let's start with the fact that both countries are typical Asian, and Southeast Asia is united by eternal summer 365 days a year, heat, worship of Buddha, sluggishness, movement on scooters, a very modest life, fresh fruits, fish and seafood.

In general, the point is that no matter which country you decide to choose, , in both countries rest It will be very, very colorful! If you are traveling for the first time, then immediately be prepared for slight chaos on the streets, for small lizards, rats, cockroaches and other living creatures running around the streets. It’s unpleasant at first, but after just a couple of days you get used to it! And the foot-and-mouth lizard in the shale is not “oh, ugh,” but she lives here, this is her house. 🙂 Moreover, there are many more advantages of relaxation! Don't rush to leave!

Prices, cafes, bars and restaurants, where is cheaper Vietnam or Thailand

Prices for absolutely everything pleasantly please the eyes of tourists. Will you choose Vietnam or Thailand, doesn't matter. The more popular the place, the more tourists vacation, the more expensive it is. But as practice shows, Vietnam is still cheaper in all respects, from taxi prices to the cost of food in stores and cafes.

There are plenty of cafes here and there.

Fruits, fish and seafood

Due to the climate and geographical location, nature has generously endowed both countries with a huge selection of fruits, fish and seafood. We were in Phuket and Samui (Thailand) and in Nha Trang with Phan Thiet (Vietnam). Let me say this, the palm in the assortment of fish gifts belongs to Vietnam! At least what we saw in the cafe. I admit that there is a rich choice in markets everywhere, but tourists eat mainly in cafes near the beaches in tourist areas. The choice in Vietnam, of course, is amazing - a dozen types of shells the size of a little finger or palm, many different seaweeds, shrimp, crabs, langoustines, of course, and much more.
By the way, if you are a lover of mangoes and pineapples, then you should go to Thailand, since that is where they are divine.

Thai and Vietnamese cuisines

The Vietnamese and Thais will give you the opportunity to experience a gastronomic orgasm. The number of national dishes is huge. Thai cuisine is spicier due to the many spices, while Vietnamese cuisine is more familiar, soft, and refined in taste. What to choose, Thailand or Vietnam with a child, the question is ambiguous. I came across the opinion that Thailand is supposedly more developed and civilized, which I cannot agree with. I believe that this very level of civilization is determined by the place where you decide to relax. Also, a lot depends on the establishments where you eat. But in terms of cuisine, Vietnam is better for children.

Tour costs, tickets

Depending on your preferences, you can choose Where is it better to relax, Vietnam or Thailand?, and buy a ready-made tour. Naturally, prices depend on the season, resort, hotel category, number of nights.
The main criterion is the resort and the season! Mostly, prices for Thailand are higher, simply due to the fact that Thailand is more promoted and known on the Russian market.

Flying to Vietnam on your own is sometimes much cheaper than using a travel agency, but traveling to Thailand is mostly profitable by purchasing a ready-made tour.

Also, when choosing Vietnam or Thailand, which is better?, an important factor for me personally is the availability of a direct flight.

Sea, beaches

My favorite here is Thailand. The water is more emerald and beckons, the photos come out amazing.
Vietnam is also famous for its beautiful sea, it’s just completely different there, it has a different taste and color, as they say.

The beaches are decent in both countries. Vietnam is still more unknown in this regard; you can find beautiful, wide, long beaches without crowds of tourists. By the way, many people in Thailand feel uncomfortable because of the presence of transvestites on the streets. They meet there often. In Vietnam, this is extremely traditional!

Thailand or Vietnam, which is better? The answer to this question depends more on the month of rest when you are planning your vacation. On my own behalf, I can say that my husband and I vacationed once each in Phuket (October), Samui (December), Nha Trang (June), and Phan Thiet - Mui Ne (November). And everywhere is good, I personally would go to every place more than once! At some point in life you want to go to Thailand more, after a certain time you are more drawn to Vietnam.

My impressions of Thailand and Vietnam are very different, this is largely due to the fact that the vacation was at different points in my life, and in ordinary everyday life anything can happen - and at work there can be failures, quarrels with near and dear people, and other unpleasant moments . Each trip is a unique story, because how we spend our vacation and what new emotions we bring with us also depends on the mood with which we came to relax.

Everywhere is good, choose based on your intuition, and this will be your best vacation!

The countries of Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly popular among Russian tourists. This is due to the relatively mild climate and numerous attractions. Among the countries in this region, Thailand and Vietnam stand out. They are located close to each other, have similar cultural traditions and the same climate. All this creates difficulties for tourists when choosing a holiday destination. Thailand or Vietnam - which country should you prefer? This is discussed in this article.

An important factor when choosing a place to visit as part of a tourist trip is the possibility and duration of stay without registration; this period is thirty days. There are only fifteen in Vietnam. Flight time to both countries is up to nine hours.

Thailand has a more developed one than Vietnam. In terms of the number of attractions, Thailand and Vietnam are not inferior to each other.

Like any country, Vietnam and Thailand have their own advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at some of them.

Climate

The climatic conditions in both countries are similar. The optimal time for vacation is from June to September. Thailand or also successfully receives tourists. However, the region is warm all year round. The rainy season will create certain inconveniences for tourists. Both countries are attractive for beach holidays. Average temperatures during the peak tourist season reach +32°C. Hot weather in Thailand is more difficult to endure due to high humidity.

In Vietnam, the influence of the monsoons is felt during the winter season. Therefore, the temperature during this period can reach +5°C. Based on this indicator, it is difficult to determine where it is better to go, Vietnam or Thailand. Since the countries are located almost at the same latitude and have a similar climate. There are other, more important selection criteria.

Beaches

For connoisseurs of a comfortable beach holiday, Thailand is most suitable with its unforgettable beaches and numerous resorts equipped with everything necessary. The beaches in this country are distinguished by their sandy bottom and clean sea. The only downside is that it is overcrowded with tourists during peak season. The number of swimming places in Thailand reaches more than a hundred. Those that are located on the islands are distinguished by the greatest purity. The beaches in Vietnam are somewhat less numerous, however, they are in no way inferior to those in Thailand. The sandy coasts in both countries have a gently sloping entrance. The beaches on the islands are surrounded by cliffs and located in bays. Thanks to this, they are protected from waves and wind and provide calm and quiet places to relax.

Vietnamese beaches are characterized by perfectly white sand and clear blue water. They are a great place to relax with children. Local beaches have fewer opportunities for active water recreation, but water sports enthusiasts can still find some decent options for themselves.

Where is it cheaper? Vietnam or Thailand

An important, and for some, the determining factor in choosing a country for a holiday, is the cost of staying at the resort. In Thailand and Vietnam, tourists have the opportunity to choose the most suitable holiday options for themselves, based on their financial capabilities. You can use the services of travel agencies and go on vacation with a package. It is also possible to make an independent trip. One of the options for staying at the resort is to stay in a rented bungalow. Let's consider various pricing policy options in Thailand.

The cost of any tourist trip consists of the price of air tickets, costs of recreation, purchase of souvenirs and excursion services.

The purchase of air tickets is a mandatory expense item, since it is simply impossible to get to these countries in any other way. It is better to book tickets in advance. Their cost varies according to the class and level of comfort during the flight. The higher it is, the more expensive air tickets are. Since the distance and flight time to Vietnam and Thailand are approximately the same, the cost of air tickets will be the same.

The second significant expense item is the cost of living. Depending on financial capabilities, accommodation can be either very expensive or relatively budget-friendly. For example, staying in a luxury hotel room or in a separate bungalow will cost significantly more than staying in an economy class hotel.

The cost of food and attending entertainment events in Vietnam is lower compared to Thailand. Sometimes they are much cheaper than in Thailand. The choice of places to eat and relax is of great importance. Individual excursions to local attractions will cost more than similar group activities. In terms of saving money, independent travel around the country is promising.

Roads and leisure

For such trips with a rented vehicle, Thailand is best suited. The quality of roads in this country is slightly better than in Vietnam. Therefore, it is better not to book tours to Thailand from travel agencies. It will be much cheaper to travel around the country on your own. There is also a more developed network of shops, cafes and restaurants and all kinds of entertainment centers. Options for a fun night out in Vietnam are more limited for tourists. After midnight, life here comes to a standstill. Due to the population's habit of going to bed early, it is very difficult to find a working grocery store.

In this regard, Thailand is more preferable as a leisure destination. It doesn’t stop here until the morning. The list of entertainment for tourists is also more extensive. In Thailand you can not only relax, but also improve your health.

Medicine

Where to go for health, which country to choose - Thailand or Vietnam? Medical care in these two countries has significant differences in terms of treatment prices. In Thailand, the cost of visiting a doctor in a public or private clinic is up to forty dollars. Similar services in Vietnam will cost slightly less. However, it all depends on the severity of the disease or injury. A necessary condition for receiving quality medical services is that the tourist has medical insurance. In Vietnam, there may be some difficulties in obtaining medical care due to local doctors not speaking English. However, despite some inconveniences, the quality of medical care in both countries is approximately the same.

Accommodation

The cost of living and its comfort in hotels in Thailand and Vietnam are approximately the same. Vietnam, however, has a slight advantage in terms of cheap hotel stays. A stay in one of the hotels in the capital of Vietnam - the city of Hanoi - will cost about five dollars less than the cost of a stay in a similar establishment in popular Thai cities among tourists. Therefore, travel agencies sometimes offer incomparably cheap tours to Vietnam. This is due to the fact that in this country you can save a lot on housing.

Undersea world

The availability of recreational opportunities is of great importance for travelers. Staying in Vietnam and Thailand is the most promising for diving. Thailand wins somewhat in terms of the diversity of marine species and the number of places recommended for diving. The marine fauna of Vietnamese waters is less diverse, however, divers can find a lot of interesting things here too.

Local population

For tourists, when choosing a holiday destination, the friendliness of the local population towards visitors is of no small importance. If we compare Vietnam/Thailand on this basis, we can say that the residents of both countries are equally friendly to guests. The hospitality of local people is based on the profitability of the tourism industry for the economy. Thais are more reserved and do not reveal their feelings and emotions to tourists. Vietnamese are more emotional. In addition, the joint historical past of the countries affects the attitude towards Russians, namely, the assistance provided by the USSR to Vietnam in repelling American aggression is not forgotten.

Transport

In Thailand and Vietnam, transport links between cities are quite developed. You can get to any corner by taking a bus or by plane. The most common vehicle in both countries is the bike, available for rent by tourists.

But which country should gastronomic gourmets choose, Vietnam or Thailand? Where is the best food?

Nutrition

National cuisines in both countries are distinguished by their originality and abundance of exotic and incomprehensible dishes for Russian-speaking tourists. Frogs and all kinds of insects are widely used as products. Local dishes of national cuisine are usually nutritious and spicy. In this regard, the masterpieces of Thai cuisine are more famous. Food in Vietnam is sweetish due to the use of a variety of sauces and seasonings. Therefore, for lovers of sweet tastes, according to this criterion, the choice is obvious. Thailand or Vietnam? For them, this issue loses relevance.

Animals

A trip to Vietnam or Thailand can be overshadowed by the local fauna. One specific feature of both countries is the abundance of tropical insects (such as lizards). In Vietnam, in addition, they do not particularly care about cleanliness. Thanks to street garbage dumps in cities, tourists can encounter numerous rats and cockroaches. Mosquitoes, which carry dangerous diseases, pose a great danger in Vietnam. Therefore, before traveling to this country, you must get all the necessary vaccinations. Agencies offering tours to Thailand and Vietnam strongly recommend this. After arrival, you must carefully observe basic rules of personal hygiene. You should not eat local food if its appearance and taste are incomprehensible or cause unpleasant associations for tourists. It should be remembered that not everything that is familiar to the local population is suitable for a tourist who is accustomed to a completely different way of life. The comfort of your stay and the impressions gained during your vacation depend on compliance with hygiene rules.

Attractions

The cultural heritage of a particular country can also influence the choice of a tourist. Thailand or Vietnam? What is the culture of these countries? Both states have an ancient history and are distinguished by an interesting, distinctive culture. For vacationers it will be very educational to get acquainted with local attractions. In addition, being in Vietnam has a special flavor in terms of the fact that the dominance of communist ideology remains in this country. Fans of modern military history will also find a lot of interesting things in Vietnam. The memory of American aggression, which brought many troubles to the local people, is carefully preserved here. You can see numerous examples of military equipment of that era on display. There is an opportunity to take part in excursions to places associated with the local partisan movement (in particular, see the underground passages used by the rebels). Also in Thailand and Vietnam, tourists will be curious to get acquainted with the local architecture, which is distinguished by its originality and unique national flavor.

At the end of the 20th century. Thailand has become a popular destination for so-called sex tourism. However, it should be taken into account that recently the authorities have been doing everything to get rid of such a peculiar image of the country. Therefore, lovers of all kinds of pleasures, often forbidden, risk getting into an unpleasant situation. The main rule for a tourist should be compliance with the laws of the country they are visiting. Vietnam or Thailand? It is up to the tourist to decide where it is better to spend his leisure time. The choice of places to visit is varied in both countries.

So, both states are attractive places to visit. The mild climate, the beauty of the local seascapes, the presence of a developed tourist infrastructure and the friendly local population are certainly attractive aspects. To this must be added the relatively low price level. But what do vacationers themselves say about these countries, which resort to choose, Thailand or Vietnam?

Which country should you choose if you are offered two tours at approximately the same price? Tour operators, in conditions of the economic crisis and the high dollar, are fighting for every client, so very often they sell ready-made tours for less than the cost of air tickets. If you are not a winterer who lives in warm climates for six months, but an ordinary person who goes to the sea a couple of times a year, then a last-minute inexpensive tour can be an excellent economical solution. I am often asked the question “Which country to choose: Thailand or Vietnam?” Today it’s all about how to make the right choice based on your expectations, needs and budget.

Why do I have the right to write this post and compare two countries?

We lived in Vietnam twice and spent a total of six months there. We drove around, visited 10 cities, and I wrote about various aspects of life and recreation in this country.

We visited Thailand three times, lived in different cities for seven months. In the blog you will find from our Thai life.

Thailand and Vietnam: geographical location

Thailand and Vietnam are two countries in Southeast Asia. The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is approximately 800 kilometers closer to Europe than the southern capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City.

Charters from Moscow to Vietnam's main seaside resort of Nha Trang fly in approximately 10.5 - 11.5 hours, depending on the class of the aircraft. The flight to the Thai island of Phuket is a little faster - 8.5-9.5 hours.

Both Vietnam and Thailand have a shape stretched from south to north and have a dozen different resorts. Today we will look at the most popular of them: Nha Trang in Vietnam and Phuket in Thailand. Nha Trang is washed by the South China Sea, and Phuket is washed by the Andaman Sea.

Seasons in Thailand and Vietnam by month

Now about the choice between Thailand and Vietnam depending on the time of year.

The high season is when it is sunny, warm and practically no rain.

The best time to visit Nha Trang is from mid-February to the end of September. The wettest months are October and November. Brief rains and sea waves may occur in December and January. At this time, there may also be cool water, although the air warms up to +24+25C during the day.

The high season in Phuket begins in November and ends at the end of March. At this time, the island has wonderful weather, it rarely rains, the air temperature is +28+32, the sea water is clear and there are practically no waves.

The so-called “wet season” lasts from April to the end of September. At this time, sudden downpours are common, when a bucket of water seems to be poured out in a minute. It often rains for several days with rare breaks. In summer it can be very hot and stuffy, and the beaches are washed away by waves, which makes swimming not very pleasant and sometimes downright dangerous. I know people who like to vacation in Phuket in the summer, because at this time there are few tourists and prices for housing and food are lower. But a summer holiday in Thailand is like a lottery: if you are unlucky, you will spend half of your holiday in a hotel room, watching the rain.

Beaches of Nha Trang and Phuket: where is better?

Beaches of Phuket

Beaches of Nha Trang

In Nha Trang, all life is concentrated near the city beach. Hotels - both expensive and budget - lined up along the long coastline. As a rule, the walk to the beach is no more than 10 minutes. And it doesn't matter how much you pay for the room - 10 dollars or 100.

The city beach of Nha Trang is elongated, with a wide coastline. There are densely populated areas near restaurants and beach clubs, and there are areas where there will be no one around you within 100-200 meters. We stayed in an inexpensive hotel near the Sharaton, paid $7 a night for a room for three, and enjoyed an almost deserted beach with very few people during the day. In the evening, local residents flocked there after work and it became crowded.

In the vicinity of Nha Trang there are a dozen more islands where you can also swim on a pretty beach. You can buy a beach excursion to or go to the northern islands. A separate adventure is a visit to a water park, an aquarium, an amusement and entertainment park. Vinpearl has a gorgeous beach, the snow-white sand of which was brought specially on barges.

If you compare the beaches of Phuket and Nha Trang, then in Phuket they are better. But this does not mean that you will be completely disappointed in Nha Trang. If measured on a ten-point scale, then the beaches of Nha Trang will receive a solid “seven” from me, and the beaches of Phuket will receive a “nine”.

Things to do in Phuket & Nha Trang

There is a lot of entertainment in Nha Trang. In addition to inexpensive restaurants with cuisine from around the world, you can relax in several spas and mud baths, go to and, go on sea excursions, visit the famous entertainment center, which is reached by a very long cable car over the sea.

If you are traveling for two weeks, then if you wish, you will have time to go for a couple of days to a very beautiful mountain or even more exotic one, where elephant hunters live.

There is also a huge amount of entertainment in Phuket. Every day you can discover a new beach on the island, or go to a neighboring island. Phuket has a zoo, an aquarium, a Bird Park, butterfly and orchid farms, and the Tiger Kingdom, where you can pet real predators. We can ride elephants or fly over the jungle on a bungee.

In addition, only in Phuket you can see the magnificent shows “Siam Niramit” and “Phuket Fantasy”, which involve hundreds of actors in luxurious costumes. Expensive decorations, pyrotechnics and the scope with which the shows are made make them famous far beyond the borders of Thailand.

For diving enthusiasts, it will be much more interesting to dive in the Andaman Sea in Thailand. From Phuket you can go to the Phi Phi Islands or on a small diving safari to the Similan Islands untouched by civilization.

Phuket & Nha Trang: transport

Nha Trang is a small city. If you wish, you can walk around it all in about an hour. You can get around the city by bus, which connects almost all the attractions in the surrounding area. For long trips to waterfalls, hot springs and beaches, you can rent a bike. One day of rental costs 100 thousand dong - that's about 5 dollars. You can only rent a car in Vietnam with a driver (about $50 per day), because you can’t rent a car without a Vietnamese driver’s license.

If you rent a bike, be aware of the difficulties of driving in Vietnam. Local residents are unpredictable drivers who not only drive according to their own unknown rules, but also often get behind the wheel “under the influence.” If you have little experience riding a bike or are new to riding, avoid rush hour and busy highways, always wear a helmet, don't speed, and stay close to the side of the road.

Phuket is an island of a very convenient size - about 40 by 20 kilometers. In a week or two you can explore most of the island and visit all the beaches.

Phuket has a network of city buses. They connect all the beaches with the capital of the island - the city of Phuket and the airport, but by public transport you cannot go from one beach to another directly, so you often have to use a taxi or rent a bike or car.

Taxis in Phuket are very expensive compared to other cities in Thailand. We were trying to get from the bus station in Phuket town to our condo in the Kathu area. The distance is small, only 3 kilometers. Taxi drivers wanted at least 300 baht ($9) for the trip. I’ll say right away that in Bangkok we drove 35 kilometers from Don Mueang airport for 200 baht, paying for highway tolls along the way.

An alternative to a taxi is to rent a car or bike. A car costs from 30 dollars per day, a scooter costs from 7 dollars per day. If you rent for a week or two, ask for a discount.

Features of the island are mountain passes. There are a lot of them here, so you will definitely have to travel through the mountains. Some descents require certain driving experience and skill. If you plan to ride together, then take a more powerful scooter. We felt very comfortable riding the Honda PCX 150.

Well, I wouldn’t advise complete beginners to get behind the wheel in Phuket. Steep descents and ascents are not the place for training. In addition, the drivers are full of equally inexperienced tourists.

Thailand & Vietnam: food

I like both Thai food and Vietnamese food. In my opinion, Vietnamese food is healthier and less spicy. And the Thais put a lot of sugar in their dishes and fry everything in a lot of oil.

It is in Vietnam that you can try exotic dishes from silkworm larvae, crocodile and ostrich meat, eat snake and taste inexpensive lobsters.

In Thailand they use more familiar products, but in an unusual design. I really like Thai spicy soups and spicy vegetable salads.

In both cuisines you can find your ideal dish and food that you can eat.

Prepare for your trip in advance and read about the most famous and delicious dishes from Vietnamese and Thai cuisines.

Phuket & Nha Trang: prices

Now about the most important thing - the budget. Even if tours to Nha Trang and Phuket were offered to you by a travel agency for about the same price, a vacation in Thailand will still cost you more due to the expenses that you will incur on the spot. You will need to have lunch and dinner, pay for transport, excursions, entertainment.

A hearty dinner in a middle-class restaurant in Nha Trang for two will cost about 15-25 dollars. In Phuket, in tourist villages, one dish can cost about 6-7 dollars, and a whole dinner can cost from 30 dollars. Of course, you can always find a street food stall and eat your own bowl of soup for $1.5-2. But such places exist mainly in non-tourist areas of the island, which are located far from the beaches. In Nha Trang, you can choose a place for dinner according to your wallet. Street cafes with minimal prices are on every corner.

In Nha Trang you can use city buses - a ticket costs only a third of a dollar. In Phuket you can’t go everywhere by bus, so you’ll either have to reduce your travel or rent a scooter or car.

Vietnam is still a country with victorious socialism. Entertainment here is relatively inexpensive. Boat excursion to the islands - from $7 per person. A full-day ride on the cable car to the Vinpearl entertainment complex - $26, a visit to the spa with healing mud - from $3 per person.

In Phuket, entertainment will cost several times more. Sea excursions from $25. Zoo - $15, Siam Niramit show - from $50 per person, entrance tickets to the Tiger Kingdom - from $24 per area per person.

How a Belarusian programmer got “tired” of Vietnam and moved to Thailand

Three years ago, test automation specialist Pavel Strongin moved to Ho Chi Minh City to work at Lazada. As Pavel himself admits, adapting to Vietnam was not easy: “once a month I bought tickets somewhere to breathe out and make sure that there was still civilization left somewhere.” And when the opportunity to move to Bangkok presented itself a year and a half later, he took it “with great pleasure.” Even now, when talking about life in Thailand, he constantly compares it with Vietnam:

“That’s it, I’m leaving!” How to last more than a year in Vietnam and fall in love with it

Pavel had the opportunity to work for the Thais a few years ago: having gone through “fire, water and copper pipes” at IBA and EPAM immediately after graduating from BSUIR, he “in some strange way ended up at Akavita”: the company had just received an order from a Thai government to write social networks. “I came to Akavita a week before the New Year with the condition that I would go on vacation during the holidays,” recalls Pavel. “And when I returned, I found out that they had failed the project.” Pavel eventually went to Moscow to work at Yandex - and if not for the crisis, he would never have quit:

– The fabulous job in Moscow ended when the financial crisis began in Russia, and my salary turned into a “pumpkin”.

At that moment, recruiters from Vietnam wrote to me: they say, we have a cool startup here, we just raised $300 million - come. This is probably a once in a lifetime chance to work in Asia! Already in January I was in Vietnam - in complete shock at what was happening there. Because before I only knew about this country that there was a city called Saigon somewhere there. It turned out that even Saigon no longer exists - the city was renamed.

The first impression of Vietnam is chaos: around the taxi that takes me from the airport to the hotel, there is a stream of motorcycles, everyone is scurrying back and forth, and I want to shout: “Ah-ah!..” - because this is hell. The hotel room seems to have a window, but it goes out into the ventilation shaft - and sunlight does not penetrate into the room. This, of course, helps to overcome time shift, but it is very depressing.

It took me a long time to get used to Vietnam. It is so unique that after three months here many people begin to say: “That’s it, I can’t be here anymore: I’m leaving!” - they are leaving. I held out for a year and a half, but once a month I regularly bought tickets somewhere to exhale and make sure that there was still civilization left somewhere. By the way, those who work in Vietnam for much longer often fall in love with this country and consider it the best place on earth.

Last year, Lazada opened a technical office in Thailand, and my team gradually began moving there. I had never been to Bangkok before, so I first asked to go there for work: I realized that Thailand is much more comfortable than Vietnam, and most importantly, everything works here, and I decided to move.

“He’ll just sit down and drink some tea”: how things don’t work

In my opinion, Vietnam is a country where nothing works at all. People here live only by their desires and the present day: if a Vietnamese doesn’t want to go to work, he won’t. It started to rain - that's it, that's a good reason to stay home. And it rains in Vietnam for 4 months in a row.

Services in Vietnam work the same way: if the instructions do not spell out the procedure down to the last step, in any incomprehensible situation the Vietnamese will not think about how to solve everything - he will simply sit down and drink tea. He did everything he could. And you come across this attitude towards work every day and many times, although sometimes there are exceptions.

Bangkok, on the contrary, is like big Moscow: skyscrapers, businesses, expensive cars, metro - ci-vi-li-za-tion! And everything works. You live in comfort: you don’t need to go to the store - you press a couple of buttons on your phone, and all the products are delivered to you right away. If you want to send a package to a friend, you pick up the phone again: and immediately a guy on a bike rides out, who will pick up and deliver the package wherever you tell him.

The Thais are the exact opposite of the Vietnamese. These are motivated workers who really love what they do. Just like this: “Ah-ah, I’m doing something so cool that I’m ready to spend my personal time on it!..” But after Vietnam, this only makes me happy.

Many Thais study abroad, at least the middle class ones, and live like Europeans. In Thailand it is difficult to find something very specific, with the exception of very spicy cuisine - I could not get used to it, but I have been in Asia for about 3 years.

While I lived in Vietnam, I constantly experienced difficulties with food: in order to find something that was not even spicy, but in principle edible, you had to try hard. The Vietnamese are very fond of adding things that are unusual for us to their food - for example, a chicken head or a foot with marigolds, which they don’t even bother to cut off (probably a valuable product). And in Vietnam they like to chop chicken right with the bones - and this is what infuriates us the most. This is not the case in Thailand. And although there are more spicy dishes here than in Vietnamese cuisine, in Bangkok you can find a French, Italian or Mexican restaurant on every corner.

“If you stroked your belly, you have the right to compensation”

There is something else that was annoying about Vietnamese restaurants - the sounds that the eaters made. The Vietnamese are very fond of slurping: if you don’t slurp while eating, it doesn’t taste good to you. But as a person who was beaten on the forehead with a spoon for this, it only irritated me. And then the whole dining room is noisy: “Cham-chum-chum...” - so much so that you are ready to take the biggest ladle from the cook and show everyone how to eat.

By the way, in Vietnam all natural sounds are considered the norm, so riding in an elevator can be very unpleasant. Moreover, the Vietnamese love to crowd into the elevator until they squeeze you from all sides, rest against your navel and finish something, slurping and smacking. And these are just flowers, because at this moment a hand often reaches out to your stomach to stroke it...

The fact is that although Vietnam is considered not a religious country (it seems that 70% of the population are generally atheists), but in fact a Vietnamese can go to a church or a Buddhist monastery - mutter something to himself and move on. And he also believes in lucky Buddha - a fat bald man with a belly that you stroke so that good luck will accompany you. Moreover, the Vietnamese transferred this tradition to real people: if they see a big man, they will certainly pat him on the stomach. And since in Vietnam I had a very noticeable stomach, they constantly tried to touch it, as if by accident.

If you were patted on the belly in Vietnam, you have the right to demand compensation. I was told that one of the expats went on a tour, and at the very end the guide reached for his stomach. The tourist said: “Then I won’t pay for the excursion.” She responded: “Okay!” - this is the price for luck.

In Bangkok, everyone is very tactful in this regard - there will definitely be no surprises. Moreover, even in a Thai village they react to you like this: go white - and let him go. Although when I went to the countryside in Vietnam, half the village population always took pictures with me.

“I’m with a white man - give way!”

IT specialists in the Asian region receive special treatment. There is a national project in Thailand - The Board of Investment of Thailand: they are involved in attracting foreign investment, including in IT, and constantly invite IT specialists of all specialties to the country. By the way, if you work for a company that is part of the BOI, like Lazada, you get bonuses like flat tax and VIP queue access at the airport.

It is difficult to say what other professions are highly valued in Thailand, probably all of them are the same as throughout the world today. And in Vietnam, I was told, there are three prestigious professions: doctor, teacher and civil servant. If you want to get any of these jobs, be prepared to pay a bribe. Moreover, for a girl to become a nurse, her family must raise about $10 thousand. But, of course, she will receive no more than $300 (this is the average salary in Vietnam, and many local residents consider it “very good”).

By the way, in Vietnam, any expat who comes for a well-paid job is held in high esteem (of course, an IT specialist too). They understand that these people develop their economy. What they really don’t like is the “pale-faced invaders” who come and take their jobs: they become waiters, guides, and so on.

At first, expats find it unusual that in Vietnam everyone is rushing around with them: they open doors for them, hand them a chair. But the Vietnamese do it so naturally - they are really happy to please. And taxi drivers, it seems to me, even have an unspoken rule: when they are driving a white person, they can violate more than usual. At least, I noticed: when I got into a taxi, it was my driver who began to drive recklessly, drive in oncoming traffic, go around the traffic jam with an important look, saying, “I’m with a white man - give way.”

This is not the case in Thailand. Perhaps because they love themselves more, and their attitude towards expats is rather neutral. By the way, the complete opposite of this is China. When I was in Shanghai, I was shocked: they looked at me like in Moscow they looked at visitors from the Caucasus. In China they don’t like you, they look at you sideways, they suspect you of something, and even in the hotel they don’t smile at you. In Shanghai, I rented a room in an expensive four-star hotel, but at the reception they spoke to me so coldly, almost like: “Why are you stopping in? You are not needed here - go home!

“In Bangkok you pay for comfort, in Ho Chi Minh City - because you are “rich”

I said nothing about living conditions in the countries where I lived. Renting an apartment in the center of Bangkok starts from $500: for this money you can rent an excellent 40-meter studio with good furniture and built-in appliances. The apartment is considered a one-room apartment, but by Belarusian standards it is a “two-room apartment”: there is a separate bedroom and a living room combined with a kitchen.

By the way, cheap apartments in Thailand do not have a kitchen, because eating on the street is cheaper than cooking at home. Renting such an apartment costs only $150-200. But, as a rule, this housing is for locals - in areas unpopular among foreigners. It’s not a problem to find a 100-meter apartment for $400, but then you’ll have to travel an hour to the office every day.

The housing in Ho Chi Minh City is disgusting. Most of the buildings in the center are pillars standing close to each other. Even when Vietnam was a French colony, they introduced a law on the width of the facade: the French decided that if they allowed a Vietnamese to build a house as he pleased, he would take over the entire territory. Since then, the houses have only grown upward. There are no windows on the sides or back at all - only on one side; sometimes there may be another narrow window on the side, abutting the window of the next house.

Due to high humidity, floors in Vietnam are tiled and walls are painted, so any home in Ho Chi Minh City feels like being in a hospital.

In Bangkok, people love comfort, so there are wooden floors, rugs, wallpaper on the walls, and what’s most interesting - for the same money. Apartments in the center of Ho Chi Minh City and in the center of Bangkok will cost the same. Only in the center of Bangkok you pay for comfort, and in the center of Ho Chi Minh City - simply because you are “rich”. And if a Vietnamese rents the same housing, it will cost 2 times less.

The center of Bangkok is always jammed with traffic jams. But, probably, not as endless as in Moscow: here many people prefer public transport and motorbikes (in our opinion, scooters). There are even motorbike taxis - they drive past traffic jams, and if you need to get somewhere very quickly, you either choose it or take the metro.

If you take a taxi, sometimes you have to wait: the traffic lights here are very interesting - the red light can stay on for 10 minutes. You drive up, look at the timer, and realize it’s an ambush. True, there is a loophole: a left turn is allowed even on red, and even in those places where it is prohibited, everyone turns.

Boats are also used as public transport in Bangkok: they are long and can accommodate no fewer passengers than a bus. At the same time, they swim very quickly, and on some routes they gain time over the same bus, which may get stuck in a traffic jam.

“They eat, and then leave all the garbage where they sat.”

What has always surprised me about Vietnam is that the majority of the population cannot swim, despite the fact that the country is located along the coast. The only thing they use the beach for is picnics. They come to the sea dressed - in jackets, hats, face masks (so that, God forbid, they don’t get sunburned) - they eat, and then they leave all the garbage where they were sitting. This is Vietnam!..

In this country there is no culture of cleaning up after yourself: among the Vietnamese it is considered the norm if you drink from a plastic glass, finish it and throw it at your feet. I smoked and quit again (at the same time, women’s smoking is condemned by society). By evening, huge piles of garbage accumulate everywhere. At night special people come by and collect everything. Therefore, if at 4-5 in the morning you decide to walk around the city, it will be perfectly clean, except that rats and cockroaches will be finishing their meal. But by 10 am the city will again be littered with garbage.

That is why in places of entertainment, for example, water parks, there are often separate places for tourists, where the Vietnamese with their garbage are not allowed to go. Here you can also take a break from the noise: the peculiarity of the Vietnamese language is that it is tonal - it has 6 tones, which is even more than in Chinese. And if you want to be understood, you need to speak loudly and clearly. But when someone tries to pronounce words loudly and clearly, the next one begins to speak even louder. And if there are more than 5 Vietnamese, it’s always a cry. You understand: if the whole water park is screaming, you get tired after a few minutes.

Feel like a hero “I am Legend”: in English with subtitles

One of my pastimes, whether in Vietnam or Thailand, is cinema. As elsewhere in Asia, films here are shown in English with subtitles. This is surprising, since Vietnam has a population of more than 80 million: they might have bothered with the translation.

In Bangkok, films are also not translated, and occasionally cartoons for very young children who cannot yet read. Recently, the cartoon “The Secret of Coco” was released - and also in English with subtitles. Although, I won’t lie, it really helps to learn the language.

What else to do in Bangkok in your free time - travel, of course. The easiest option is Pattaya, which is only 2 hours away by motorbike. If you really miss Russian cuisine, you can go have lunch and then go to some nearby island for a swim, because...

Traveling by air is also available: flights everywhere in Asia cost pennies, so if you see cheap tickets to Bali, why not fly. A plane ticket to any corner of Thailand costs on average $50 round trip: I’ve already seen half of the country, only the north is not closed yet.

In Vietnam, I also traveled and flew a lot - every weekend I tried to either get out to the sea or go somewhere else. The only place I didn’t manage to visit was Con Dao Island - it’s very difficult to get there for the right amount of money.

Once a year in Vietnam, the whole country gets together for a trip: for Chinese New Year, both old and young - everyone goes to the village to visit their parents for a week. At this time it is impossible to buy tickets in any direction because everything is sold out. And then one fine morning you wake up, and in a city where 13 million live there is not a soul. You walk through empty Saigon past closed shops and cafes, watch the wind blowing garbage, and feel like a hero in the movie “I Am Legend.”

"Vai" in front of the king's portrait and the anthem on the treadmill

In Bangkok, many people lead a healthy lifestyle, so even in a very expensive gym there are practically no places in the evening. Virgin Active, owned by Richard Branson's company, is located in the same building as our office - prices there are around $1.5 thousand for an annual subscription. So you can’t get there in the evening after work: finding a free exercise machine is simply unrealistic.

It's the same in the parks of Bangkok - in the evenings all the running paths look like the city is running a marathon. By the way, there is an interesting point: at the same time the anthem is playing in the parks - at that moment the entire stream of people stops, listens to the anthem, and then continues moving. We saw this once: an unusual sight.

People in Thailand are very respectful of their ruler. A year ago - he was one of the three most beloved and revered monarchs. The mourning for the deceased king lasted exactly a year and on the most important dates - the first month, birthday, anniversary of the coronation and the final two weeks - the whole country dressed in black and white (against this background, tourists walking around in shorts and flip-flops were especially noticeable). It should be noted that people observed mourning voluntarily: there was no pressure “from above.”

Of course, portraits of the king hang everywhere, and many stop near them and make a “wai” - a bow with folded hands. And in cinemas, before the show, they show videos about the king, or photographs of the ruler, and at this time the anthem plays from the loudspeaker.

Disrespect for the king here is a very serious, criminal offense. They say that someone was even tried for throwing a banknote with the image of the king on the ground without sharing something with the seller and spitting on it.

Girls are real and not: who “hunts” white men

There is a joke about Vietnam that one of its export products is girls. Every year they enter into more than 100 thousand marriages with foreigners. In fact, many Vietnamese women believe that real luck is to meet a white man and marry him. Therefore, dating girls in Vietnam is something very simple: you can choose any beauty you like, and most likely she has already answered “Yes” to you, because you are a foreigner. We even joked that “we don’t have a single free person in our office” who isn’t dating a local girl. But in fairness, it must be added that they do this not only because of the money, but also because of a completely different attitude towards them from visitors: girls in Vietnam are not used to courtship, gifts, and being taken to the movies , bowling, billiards.

In Thailand, girls value themselves highly, and very often give preference to local guys, especially if they are successful guys. There is no “hunting” for white men here. And if a girl herself shows interest in you, you sometimes even wonder why she is looking for a relationship with you. It’s just that the forums here are full of stories about how a guy got married and took a Thai beauty to his homeland, and after 5 years she waved her hand to him: “Thank you! I had a good time with you, but now I have to go back to my husband,” that is, to the “brother” with whom she corresponded all the time and sponsored her at your expense.

There are a lot of “fake” girls in Thailand -. They are considered the absolute norm here: moreover, if a boy considers himself ugly and thinks that he would be much more attractive as a girl, the first thing he does is begin to behave like a girl and use feminine endings in conversation.

Fake girls are sometimes difficult to distinguish from real ones. The following rule works on dating services: if the girl in the photo is too beautiful to be real, she is a ladyboy (fortunately, they all write about this openly, so there are almost no misunderstandings).

I once almost had an embarrassment: I liked one colleague - she looked like a very pretty girl - and I noted this in a conversation with colleagues. Thank you, the guys warned me that she is not who I took her for.

I am often asked how massage is in Thailand, I can say that it is very popular - the salons are almost always full. Of course, some people are not at all interested in those salons that are “about massage” - there are also a lot of visitors there. Usually they stand out because there is a pretty girl sitting at the entrance, and not an adult woman with pumped up arms. And at the same time, everything is open - no one is hiding, and everyone knows what is happening in these salons.

3 thousand dollars for feeding fish and 2 weeks in prison for a cigarette

But in Thailand, hookah smoking is strictly prohibited, so sometimes you feel just like the heroes of films about prohibition in America. To smoke, you go to a special establishment (there, of course, everyone is very secretive, and until you ask, no one will offer you a hookah), where there is a special smoking room with a separate exit - so that you can escape in time.

There is another strange feature: you can get here. And such a situation just recently happened in Pattaya: Russian tourists spent 2 weeks behind bars and paid a huge fine.

In Thailand, you can get bread in a protected area, which includes all parks and many tourist beaches. A Russian woman also got caught in this: she was taken straight from the beach by the coast guard, and the madam “faced” a $3,000 fine and deportation.

I had no problems with the law in Thailand, although once - at the very beginning - I almost got caught. I went on a motorcycle to Pattaya, and since I did not yet have a normal stand for the navigator, I just rode with headphones. Google Maps showed me where to go from time to time. But when they tell you: “Go straight,” and there are three roads straight ahead that diverge in different directions, and there is no opportunity to look, there is a risk of turning the wrong way. So I got onto the highway. And here it must be said that in Thailand it is prohibited to ride motorcycles on the highway - you can get a fine of $150 and/or 3 months in prison.

I quickly realized my mistake and decided: “Now I’ll get to the first exit and turn around.” But that was not the case: literally 20 seconds later the police caught up with me: “Why did you go there? Ah ah ah!" I say: “Sorry, guys, I was going to Pattaya, but I took a wrong turn.” And they absolutely calmly said: “Okay, turn around and go back.” It was a strange proposal: there are 6 lanes, and everyone drives at least 120 km/h. “I’m not suicidal! I’d better go ahead...” They understood me, said: “Okay,” and let me go.

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

Having visited these countries, you can make your own conclusion about where it is better in Thailand or Vietnam, but if this is not possible, familiarize yourself with the countries’ infrastructure, weather, attractions and cost of vacation.

Despite the similarities in religion, vegetation and location, these countries have a fair amount of differences. Thailand has been welcoming tourists for a long time and during its resort activities, it has significantly developed its infrastructure, expanded its capabilities, the range of services offered and the quality of service.

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

Climate of both countries

The climates of Thailand and Vietnam are similar and are suitable for beach holidays almost all year round. Except when it rains all day. Both countries have a subtropical climate, so it is warm here all year round, and for relaxation you just need to select certain resorts. In Thailand, the low season starts at and ends at. The high season is from June to September, when optimal weather conditions for a beach holiday are observed.

The average temperature in Thailand in the high season is + 27°С…+32°С. The onset of the low season throughout Thailand manifests itself in the same way and occurs simultaneously, at the same time. like in Vietnam, the low season begins in the north and ends in the south, so you can vacation 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 high humidity, which reaches 85% during the rainy season.

You can relax in the southern resorts of Thailand at any time of the year: here there is the least rainfall and there are always excellent conditions for a beach holiday. In Vietnam, the velvet season occurs in January - February, so many people prefer this warm country for the New Year holidays. Thailand and Vietnam are washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand, the Adaman and South China Seas. The average water temperature is +27°C.

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

Beaches of Thailand and Vietnam

When choosing Thailand or Vietnam for a beach holiday, you should give preference to Thailand. There are a large number of resorts in the country that are equipped with all the necessary amenities. are located both on the mainland and on, so they are distinguished by the sandy composition of the beaches and the cleanliness of the sea. The beaches of 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 less visited by tourists are paradises. In Vietnam, there are fewer beaches. There are only a couple of dozen of them, but they are not inferior in beauty to the beaches of Thailand.

Almost all beaches in Vietnam are strewn with brownish fine sand, and the entrance to the sea is gentle and shallow, creating a sand spit several 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 your holiday. The island's 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 the Cote d'Azur, with snow-white sand and bright blue water. Vietnam is more suitable for families with children, but there are also a couple of suitable beaches for lovers of active sports. The most popular beaches in Vietnam are:

• Kuada.
• Anbang.
• Chiong.
• Bai Chai.
• Ngo Quyng.
• Katko.
• Katdua.
• Changfu.
• Nha Trang.

You can vacation 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 greater numbers, but despite this, they are always crowded. To enjoy a beach holiday in Thailand or Vietnam, it is better to go to island beaches, such as.

Where is the best infrastructure

Vietnam relatively recently opened its expanses 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 living. There are hotels of different levels of comfort, shopping and entertainment centers, salons, spa centers and attractions. However, Thailand is more developed in this sense.

Today, Thailand is the center of the entertainment and trade industries throughout Southeast Asia. In addition to developed infrastructure. this country has excellent transport connections both domestically and internationally. It is famous for its abundance of entertainment, exotic sights and cultural attractions. Thailand is distinguished by modern buildings and the excesses of civilization, which harmoniously combine with national architectural monuments.

All resorts and beaches in Thailand are accessible to tourists and are easily accessible by public transport. So, when choosing between Vietnam and Thailand in terms of developed tourism infrastructure, you should give preference to Thailand.

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 much more await tourists.

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

Although there are more must-see sites in Thailand, they are more appreciated in Vietnam as they are the only remaining architectural monuments left from the Vietnam War. The beauty and picturesque sights of Thailand are mesmerizing, breathtaking and definitely worth seeing.

Where is it cheaper?

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

Thailand also has something that is not found in resorts in other countries, such as red light districts, drag queen shows and adult entertainment programs. Thailand boasts huge shopping centers and alleys with stores of world famous brands. Most hotels in Thailand are 5-star, so the cost of accommodation, food and entertainment is higher here. In Vietnam, all this can also be found, but only in big cities. Therefore, prices for housing and food in Vietnam are lower due to less demand.

To summarize, we can say that Thailand is more suitable for those who love a noisy holiday, full of entertainment and rich excursion programs. Vietnam will appeal to lovers of a relaxing holiday alone with nature. The choice between Thailand and Vietnam is best based on personal preferences. In Thailand, life is in full swing, and Vietnam is more suitable for lovers of evening walks on the coast.