Choose Thailand for a first trip to Asia, for islands and beaches (the Andaman coast or the Gulf depending on the season) and for simple logistics. Choose Vietnam for a cultural trip from north to south, from Ha Long Bay to Hoi An and the Mekong Delta, with a slightly lower budget on the ground. Entry rules differ more than you might expect, especially for US travellers (see below). For Vietnam in spring, our page Vietnam in April gives the detail region by region.
Thailand or Vietnam: both countries are affordable and well geared to visitors, but they are not visited in the same way. Thailand combines temples, a mountainous north and two seas with opposite seasons. Vietnam stretches over more than 1,600 km (994 mi) and has three climates. This comparison draws on our guides to Thailand and Vietnam.
Thailand or Vietnam: key facts
- Thailand: best period November to February (Bangkok, north, Andaman); Gulf of Thailand from February to September.
- Vietnam: February to April for a full north-south trip, March-April for the best compromise.
- Budget for a tight-budget traveller: roughly 1,300 to 2,300 baht a day in Thailand, roughly US$40 to 55 in Vietnam (our estimates, see the budget section).
- Entry: UK citizens get a visa-free stay of 30 days in Thailand (from 15 September 2026) and 45 days in Vietnam (UK FCDO); US citizens need a visa or e-visa for Vietnam (U.S. Department of State). Passport valid 6 months in both.
- Thailand’s strengths: islands and beaches, a first trip. Vietnam’s strengths: a cultural circuit and scenery.
Comparison table, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | Thailand | Vietnam | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best time | November to February (Bangkok, north, Andaman); February to September in the Gulf | February to April for the whole country; varies by region | Thailand (simpler) |
| Climate | Hot season March-May, rain from May to October (peak August-September) | Three climates: cool north in winter, rainy centre from September to December, dry south from December to April | Thailand (easier to read) |
| Budget on the ground | Roughly 1,300-2,300 baht a day (tight budget), 3,800-7,500 baht (comfort) | Roughly US$40-55 a day (tight budget), US$90-170 (comfort) | Vietnam |
| Airports | Bangkok (two airports), Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Ko Samui | Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang | Tie |
| Entry requirements | UK: visa-free up to 30 days from 15 September 2026, TDAC arrival card. US: see below | UK: visa-free up to 45 days. US: visa or e-visa required | Depends on your passport |
| Type of trip | Cities, temples, north, islands on two seas | North-south circuit, bays, rice fields, historic towns | Depends on the plan |
| Crowds | Fewer people in May, June, September and October | Fewer people in May and September; plan around Tet | Tie |
| Safety | Generally safe; classic scams; the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the far south and the Cambodian border zone | Generally safe; bag-snatching in cities, traffic | Tie |
Which country for your profile?
First trip to Asia
Advantage Thailand. Bangkok is the entry point for almost every trip, English is widely used in tourist areas and a 10-day itinerary is easy to build: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, then a beach. In Vietnam, English is understood in tourism but more rarely elsewhere, and the traffic takes some getting used to.
Tight budgets and backpackers
Slight advantage Vietnam. Our guides give roughly US$40 to 55 a day on a tight budget in Vietnam (accommodation roughly US$9 to 22, meals roughly US$9 to 13), against roughly 1,300 to 2,300 baht in Thailand, where the islands and Phuket are clearly more expensive than the north. In both countries street food keeps the food budget low.
Beach and islands
Advantage Thailand. The limestone cliffs of Krabi and Railay, the Phi Phi islands, Ko Lanta, then Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao in the Gulf: with two coasts on opposite seasons, you can find fine beach weather almost all year. Vietnam has its beaches too (Da Nang, An Bang near Hoi An, Phu Quoc), but the trip revolves less around islands.
Diving
Advantage Thailand. Ko Tao is a renowned centre for learning to dive, in the Gulf, and the Andaman coast is best visited from November to April.
Culture, history and scenery
Advantage Vietnam for a varied circuit. Ha Long Bay and its limestone islets, Ninh Binh and its peaks surrounded by rice fields, Hue and its imperial citadel, the old town of Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta: the country strings together very different stops. Thailand answers with its ancient capitals (Ayutthaya, Sukhothai), the temples of Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle.
With family
Advantage Thailand, for simplicity: shorter journeys on a classic itinerary, and the option of finishing with several beach days. For an elephant sanctuary around Chiang Mai, our guides advise choosing a place that offers neither elephant rides nor shows. In Vietnam, traffic in the big cities calls for particular vigilance with children.
Hiking and mountains
Advantage Vietnam. Sapa, at about 1,600 m (5,249 ft), and the Ha Giang loop offer mountain scenery and terraced rice fields (golden from September to early October). In Thailand, treks take place in the hills around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
Detailed budget: Thailand or Vietnam?
| Item (per person per day) | Thailand | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, tight budget | Roughly 400 to 950 baht | Roughly US$9 to 22 (dorm, guesthouse) |
| Accommodation, comfort | Roughly 1,900 to 4,500 baht | Roughly US$45 to 100 |
| Meals, tight budget | Roughly 300 to 550 baht (street food) | Roughly US$9 to 13 (street food, canteens) |
| Transport, tight budget | Roughly 200 to 400 baht | Roughly US$6 to 11 |
| Activities, tight budget | Roughly 200 to 550 baht | Roughly US$6 to 11 |
| Total tight budget / comfort | Roughly 1,300-2,300 baht / 3,800-7,500 baht | Roughly US$40-55 / US$90-170 |
The gap is small day to day. It widens on comfort-level accommodation and in the most touristy areas: the islands and Phuket in Thailand, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam are a little more expensive than the rest of the country.
Getting around: two different logics
Thailand: flights quickly link Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi or Ko Samui (check which of Bangkok’s two airports is on your ticket); the Bangkok – Chiang Mai night train is a classic option; buses, minibuses and ferries complete the network. Scooters are very common on the islands, but accidents are frequent: the UK FCDO says Thailand has a high number of road traffic accidents, particularly with motorcycles, that hire scooters in tourist areas are often unregistered, and that riding without a valid licence could invalidate your travel insurance. UK drivers need both the 1968 international driving permit (IDP) and their UK licence (GOV.UK, updated 12 October 2026); helmets are mandatory (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov).
Vietnam: the country is long and narrow, and internal flights of about 1 to 2 hours save a lot of time on a two-week circuit. The Reunification Express links Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (more than a day for the full journey); the Hue – Da Nang stretch is the most popular. Driving yourself is not recommended: the U.S. Department of State says international driving permits and U.S. licences are not valid in Vietnam and strongly discourages riding a motorcycle or scooter, while the UK FCDO says UK drivers need both the 1968 IDP and their UK licence, and that motorbike accidents are common. Prefer a car with a driver for Ninh Binh, Ha Giang or the Hai Van Pass.
In short, Thailand suits a hub-and-spoke trip from Bangkok, Vietnam a linear route from north to south (or the reverse), flying into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh City.
Why not both?
A combined trip is possible but takes time: allow three weeks at the very least so you do not skim either country. The calendar helps: in February-March, mainland Thailand is still in its dry season and Vietnam enters its best north-south window. Cambodia and Laos, which border both, can also serve as a link. Check flights between the two countries when you book. For a stop in Laos, the best time to visit Laos is detailed month by month in our guide.
When to go: two different calendars
Thailand: November to February for Bangkok, the north and the Andaman coast, the most pleasant period but the most expensive; March to May very hot (over 35 °C / 95 °F in the afternoon in April); rain from May to October. The Gulf islands are the exception, with their rainy season from October to December. Detail: when to go to Thailand.
Vietnam: October-November and March-April in the north; February to August in the centre (avoid September to December, rain and typhoons); December to April in the south. Tet, in late January or February, means full transport and closed shops. Detail: when to go to Vietnam.
In practice, if you can only travel in July-August, Thailand offers a solution thanks to the Gulf; for a trip in November-December, mainland Thailand and the Andaman are at their best, while central Vietnam is under rain.
Entry requirements
Thailand, UK citizens (GOV.UK, updated 12 October 2026): your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the day you arrive, with at least 1 blank page. From 15 September 2026, visa-exempt entry allows up to 30 days, for tourism only; visa-exempt entries at land checkpoints are normally limited to 2 per calendar year. Since 1 May 2025, everyone must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online, within 3 days before arrival. Thailand, US citizens (travel.state.gov, last updated August 20, 2026): the State Department says tourists staying fewer than 60 days do not need a visa but must register online before arrival; that page predates the 30-day change reported by the FCDO, so check the Royal Thai Embassy for the current limit.
Vietnam, UK citizens (GOV.UK, updated 21 September 2026): you can visit without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business. Your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the day you arrive, at least 2 blank pages and no damage. Vietnam, US citizens (travel.state.gov, last updated July 02, 2026): you need a valid passport (valid six months beyond your planned stay, with at least one blank visa page) and a visa or pre-approval for a visa on arrival; you can apply for an e-visa online, usually processed within three to five working days. The State Department adds that errors on an e-visa can lead to denial of entry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand?
Slightly, according to our ranges: roughly US$40 to 55 a day on a tight budget in Vietnam, roughly 1,300 to 2,300 baht in Thailand, excluding flights. The gap widens mainly on the Thai islands and in Phuket, which cost more than the north.
What is the best time for Thailand and Vietnam?
November to February for most of Thailand; February to April for a full circuit of Vietnam. February-March suits both, for example for a combined trip.
Thailand or Vietnam for a first trip to Asia?
Thailand, which is simpler to organise, with English widely used in tourist areas and a classic itinerary that is easy to build.
Do you need a visa for Thailand or Vietnam?
It depends on your passport. UK citizens: no visa for tourist stays of up to 30 days in Thailand (from 15 September 2026, with the TDAC arrival card) and up to 45 days in Vietnam (UK FCDO). US citizens: the State Department says Vietnam requires a visa or e-visa, and for Thailand check the Royal Thai Embassy because its Thailand page still mentioned 60 days. Passports must be valid at least 6 months.
Which country for the beach?
Thailand, with two coasts on opposite seasons: Andaman from November to April, Gulf from February to September.
Can you combine Thailand and Vietnam?
Yes, in three weeks at the very least, ideally in February-March, when both countries are in good season.
Further reading
- Thailand travel guide
- When to go to Thailand
- Vietnam travel guide
- When to go to Vietnam
- All our destination comparisons
Our sources
- Our published guides, the source of the climate, budget and airport data on this page: Thailand and when to go to Thailand (Thai Meteorological Department, 1991-2020 normals via the World Meteorological Organization), Vietnam and when to go to Vietnam
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Thailand (GOV.UK, updated 12 October 2026, read 11 November 2026) and for Vietnam (GOV.UK, updated 21 September 2026, read 26 October 2026)
- U.S. Department of State, Thailand (travel.state.gov, last updated August 20, 2026) and Vietnam (travel.state.gov, last updated July 02, 2026) country information, read 26 October 2026
- European Central Bank euro reference rates of 23 October 2026 (baht and US dollar conversions of our euro estimates)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.