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