Vietnam and Thailand sit next to each other on the South-East Asia map and tourists often pair them in one trip. As standalone Europamundo tours they are surprisingly different in feel. Here's the honest comparison.
Side by side
| Detail | Vietnam tour | Thailand tour |
|---|---|---|
| Land cost (from): | R28,000 | R24,500 |
| Length: | 10 to 12 days | 8 to 10 days |
| Cities: | Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh | Bangkok, Chiang Mai, sometimes Phuket |
| Meals included: | Breakfasts + 6 dinners | Breakfasts + 4 dinners |
| Group size: | 15 to 28 | 18 to 32 |
| Departs from: | JHB via Asia hub | JHB via Asia hub |
| GO English: | Year-round | Year-round |
Vietnam: a long country, a long story
Vietnam stretches 1,650 km north to south so a proper tour requires internal flights and covers Hanoi (north, French colonial), Halong Bay (limestone karsts and overnight junk boat), Hue and Hoi An (centre, imperial history and lantern-lit streets), and Ho Chi Minh City (south, energy and war history). It's a more layered country than Thailand, colonial French, imperial Vietnamese, communist 20th century, modern boom.
Food is one of the world's great cuisines. Pho, banh mi, bun cha, fresh spring rolls, it's lighter and herbier than Thai food and most South Africans love it immediately.
Thailand: the tourist-friendly classic
Thailand has been receiving Western tourists for sixty years and it shows in the best way, the tourist infrastructure is excellent, the people are warm, English is widely spoken, and the country knows how to host. Bangkok is intense (4 to 5 million tuk-tuks, or it feels that way), Chiang Mai is calmer in the north with temples and elephant sanctuaries, and beach options (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui) are world-famous.
The price gap
R3,500 more for Vietnam, mainly because the tour is 1 to 2 days longer and includes more internal transport (domestic flights between cities). On a per-day basis Vietnam is slightly cheaper. Thailand is also cheaper on the ground, restaurant meals, drinks, optional excursions all work out 10 to 15% less than Vietnam.
Visa
Thailand: SA passport gets 30-day visa-free entry, just walk in. Vietnam: requires an e-visa, R600, applied online, 5 to 7 days. Worth doing before you leave, not on arrival.
Climate
Both are tropical with wet and dry seasons. November-March is the dry season for both and the recommended time. June-September is wet, hot, and humid (tours still run but expect afternoon downpours. April-May is hot dry season) manageable but you'll sweat through your shirts.
Who should pick which
Vietnam: you're a food person; you like history and want depth; you can handle moderate physical demands (walking, some early starts); you want to come home with a story.
Thailand: easier first-time Asia trip; you want some beach time tacked on; you're travelling with someone who's nervous about Asia; you want a more relaxed itinerary; you've been before and just want to go back.
Read our Vietnam-Cambodia piece for more on the region. Browse Vietnam tours or Thailand tours.
