Thailand vs Vietnam.
Direct comparison for Indian travellers — visa, cost, best months, sights. All 7-Eleven stores accept ATM card withdrawals with zero fee — the unsung travel hack for Thailand. Meanwhile in Vietnam: The only major SE-Asia destination that's still entirely cash-economy in small towns; ATMs charge ₹250/withdrawal.
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa for Indian passport | visa-free 60 days | visa-free 45 days |
| Visa cost (per person) | Free | Free |
| Round-trip flight (Chennai) | ₹14k | ₹16k |
| Daily mid-range cost | ₹3.0-6.0k | ₹2.5-5.0k |
| Best months | Nov-Feb | Oct-Apr |
| Top city | Bangkok | Hanoi |
- 1. Grand Palace
- 2. Chiang Mai temples
- 3. Phi Phi islands
- 4. Pad thai at Thip Samai
- 1. Halong Bay
- 2. Hoi An old town
- 3. Saigon street food
- 4. Phu Quoc beach
Thailand or Vietnam for first-time Indian travellers?
Thailand has the simpler visa for Indian passport (visa-free 60 days). Thailand has cheaper flights from India (~₹14k). If budget is the constraint, pick the one with the lower combined visa+flight cost.
Which is cheaper to travel daily — Thailand or Vietnam?
Vietnam is cheaper at mid-range (₹3k/day baseline vs ₹3k). The gap is biggest on stays + food; transit costs are roughly similar.
When should I visit Thailand vs Vietnam?
Thailand is best in Nov-Feb. Vietnam is best in Oct-Apr. Different windows means you can do both as a multi-country trip if windows align.