Thailand or Vietnam?
- Joined: Oct 22nd, 2006
- Posts: 5
I'm planning a trip for about a week at the end of February to SE Asia. Ideally, I'd like do 30% culture (museums, temples, markets, performances, etc.), 30% not-too-strenuous enjoyment of nature, and 40% lounging about on a beach.
Additional considerations (in order of importance) are how easy is it to get from one place to another (we've only a week), cost, and how swamped with Chinese tourists the place get during the Spring Festival season.
Currently, I'm deciding between Thailand and Vietnam.
Which one should I go for?
Third party candidates are welcome as well.
I appreciate that Thailand and Vietnam very culturally distinct and all, but please don't let that stop you from having a strong biased opinion about either.
Many Thanks.
Un peu d'R
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
I definitively recommand Thailand, although Vietnam is cool too.
Thailand has the best beaches (and not so bad bitches BTW), lots of protected parks where you can go hiking and many cultural places too. However, if you go for 1 week and want to go to the beach, you might not be able to go in cultural places (I don't know very much about South Thailand...)
Plus Thailand is one of the easiest places to travel! However, I bet the place will packed with expats escaping China (for instance, I know about 6 ppl who don t know each other but who will all be there for chrismas)
On the other hand, Vietnam is a cool place too. But the bitches are not as good, and cultural sites are limited as far as i can remember (been there about 10years ago)
Have a nice trip!
ancicamila
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
Vietnam is so much more sofisticated than Thailand.
So, my voice goes to Vietnam, but it depends what you're looking for from a vacation.
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.
Chickpea
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
Vietnam is fantastic for culture, not so good for beaches. And it would be such a shame to go for one week only. So much to see.
Thailand is easy, very touristy and all of these but as you only have one week, you might as well go for the easy option. Besides some of the islands are so stunning, it is great to relax and forget about the stress of Beijing! And the food is great ... MAkes me hungry just thinking about it
I definely prefer Vietnam over Thailand, but one week is way too short to appreciate it.
Third option: Laos, I loved it. Luang Prabang is where you get your culture from, then maybe the islands in the south for some fishing or relaxing by the river in a hamac:) The travel may be a little more rough but it is stunning. Again one week might be too short though
"But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles
To fall down at your door:
Chickpea
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
And if you go to Cambodia, it is great for culture (angkor Wat, Phnom Pen...) and I have heard there are beautiful beach in the south , where in the bars they have huge bowls of weed for you to consume freely!!! Paradise
Gutted I could not make it there
"But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles
To fall down at your door:
yto1312
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
damnnnnnn u sure about these, cus im goin.........! i mean it!
Chickpea
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
YEs definetly met some crasy German guy who could not stop speaking about it. IF you want to know where exaclty I could ask him
Great quality 
In Cambodia the staff of the G/H your are staying in will also come to your room to see if you need anything... Great service
"But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles
To fall down at your door:
lostinspace
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
At this point Thailand is a little more tourist oriented so if you like the full service, more people speaking to you in English and so on Thailand is a better choice. But if you like being more adventurist then Vietnam is a better bet. Also I think your money can get you a little more in Vietnam. Just my humble opinion.
"Your swartz is almost as big as mine" Space Balls
bikechick
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
Travel in Thailand can be easier. Visa given upon entry, English spoken everywhere, better transportation infrastructure, gorgeous beaches. Spend 2-3 days in Bangkok doing the temples and palaces, then head off to a nice beach somewhere, or north to Chiang Mai in the mountains for trekking.
MAM
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
Vietnam! because ppl there are not stealing. We are going to Phu Quoc!
bigsmile
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
Thailand or Vietnam or Philippines?
1. Safe
2. Beautiful beaches
3. Easy to find ways out, friendly people
Red lights areas in Thailand everywhere? Then I am not interested.
Has anyone ever been to Donsol to see sharks? Manila, Boracay, Cagayan de Oro... which is a good plan? They have helicopter transfer? I am not crazy about diving(uncomfortable ears with the pressure), do they provide tranings on how to surf?
Appreciate a lot if you can give me more tips, the more the better.
1:6.79
bigsmile
Re: Thailand or Vietnam?
Postponed my trip
1:6.79