I am living in North-Vietnam but I visited Thailand several times. My opinion is that Thailand is much easier to handle for people coming from the western hemisphere. At the end it is a question of what you are expecting. Vietnam is a challenge, it is an adventure, it is difficult to grasp, it surprises me every day (mostly in a positive manner). I am saying that as someone, who is married with a Vietnamese woman. Here in the North-Vietnamese "hinterland" you are living in a completely different universe (compared to HCMC). Most things you mentioned in your video most probably apply to North-Vietnam up to a greater extend. Vietnam has rough edges, you either like it or hate it here. For me personally it is a great place to live, I enjoy the challenges in Vietnam, the dynamic and the mentality of the people, especially their resilience. This country has a great spirit. But if I would be a single, Thailand might be my preferred, more comfortable option to start a new life in South-East Asia.
Thailand is the sugar while Vietnam is the salt. One uses fishsauce and other coconut milk. Western like Thailand more, because it's easy, but Vietnam will teach you more. And I love it. Everything about it.
Based on my experiences so far, I would agree about pretty much everything, except I prefer Vietnamese food. And I would add that more Thai women seem open to casual dating with foreigners... which is an important point for some of us haha
I think this video should be called Bangkok vs Saigon. You can't say Vietnam as a whole is a noisy country just based on your experience in Saigon. I find it very simplistic. There are many laid back/quiet cities in Vietnam. I'm currently in Halong Bay and the atmosphere here is way more relaxed than most of the tourist infested beach cities and islands in Thailand such as Pattaya, Phuket or Koh Samui. It's very obvious to me that you're being biased towards Thailand for some reason (probably money lol)
I lived in Thailand for 10 years and live in Vietnam for 5 years. I agree with you. Also, Thailand is cheaper. Many people think Thailand is more expensive than Vietnam but actually not. But the one thing that I feel comfortable in Vietnam is that I can understand Vietnam people more easily than Thai people. It is because i am Asian. Vietnam national personality is more chinese culture oriented but Thai is more Idian oriented. That is huge difference to me.
Some really valid points here Mike, Vietnam visa system really is lacking. I've been learning Vietnamese for about 2.5 years now and it's been a major key for Quality of life improvement here. I used to feel uncomfortable and hesitant to do simple things like go eat cơm tắm or go get some medicine for a common cold etc. I think it's really easy to become isolated here if you don't learn basic Vietnamese and/or have a local friend that can help you with things. People say Vietnamese are really friendly but I find it really depends on the area of Vietnam you live in. Having living in DN and in HCMC now I can say for sure Central Vietnamese are much more welcoming and friendly. I find I have to first break the ice with people in HCMC a lot but 8/10 after that they're really open & friendly. I really resonate with what you said about the way some people talk or the style they talk on the phone (on speaker phone for everyone to hear). I feel common politeness really lacks in simple everyday things like hanging the door open for people coming behind you, letting people out of the elevator before others go, covering your mouth when you cough etc idk where you been eating tho, Vietnamese food is the best haha :)
When it comes to NOISE OMFG PHILIPPINES WILL ALWAYS TAKE THE PRIZE! 6 years until 2021 and it was most miserable. Been doing Bangkok and Saigon for the past 6 months and THAILAND is much quieter and the traffic in SAIGON is PURE MADNESS. You are on point!
This is a very good sum up,great vid by the way!...i also have been to both countries. I also would prefer Thailand anyday....Regarding the sound leven in Vietnam you are spot on...LOL. BTW I did found the food in Vietnam very tasty...but on a long run i indeed prefere Thai food. In my observations Vietnamese people are quite similar with Chinese...and they are also very loud.However you seem to have forgotten one important aspect...which is PRICE level aka cost of living!!! Personaly i beleive that Vietnam is a bit cheaper then Thailand. How are your thoughts on this Mike??
You are comparing 10 years experience of living in Thailand against 6 months in vietnam. If you think pho and banh mi are the only foods worth trying, you are sadly mistaken, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love Thai food. Public transport is better than you think , I catch buses all the time, simply using Google maps. Granted some of the buses, a lot are older, but newer buses are coming online as well as electric buses already in service. Your spot on about visas. And if you may have interacted more with locals, you would see more speak a little English than you think, although they are hesitant and need some encouragement. I still believe Vietnam to be cheaper than Thailand. Good luck in Phuket
Vietnam has lots going for it. I'm really glad I spent time there. I also lived there pre-covid (and pre youtube channel!) in D2 . Tbh I'm just not down with big hectic cities in general. Couldn't live in BKK either. Stick me next to a beach any day 😎. Cheers Danny
@@nofood1 I use to visited Danang, but I think it's still is too much people and crowed, looks less oversea tourists but too crowed with their people instead. And I think Danang is less crowed than other cities in Vietnam.Many cities are pack of Vietnamese and their motorcycles😅 only their population is nearly Thai + tourists but smaller size land.
@@teresang7889 You’re wrong. Though public transport network in Vietnam is less mordern than developed countries but it doesn’t mean Vietnam has no public transportation. Public transportations in Vietnam are: buses, Hanoi metro line, urban railway in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, airlines, taxis, tech-based transportation services, ride-hailing… •Bus is a widely popular and inexpensive mode of travel, cover all provinces and cities of Vietnam. •Airlines is well served by a network of 22 airports, with maximum flight time around 2 hours. At the moment, there are 5 airlines that cover domestic route (Vietnam Airlines; Vietjet Air; Bamboo Air; Jetstar Pacific and VASCO - both of the latter a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines). Air travel in Vietnam has been more efficient, cost- and time- saving than ever before. •Taxi is convenient and popular transportation method in Vietnam •Ride-hailing platform (Grab, Gojek, Be…) is cheap, convenient •The train system in Vietnam dates back to the mid-20th century and slowly improving in terms of speed and sleeper carriage. Nonetheless it offers a perfect way for sightseeing. …
I'm trying to make a decision between Thailand and Vietnam. I'd choose Thailand, but the teaching jobs there pay absolute sh!t. It's 2022, and I see schools that pay 40,000 baht. It doesn't make sense for me to stop working for a couple of years, enroll back in school to become an actual licensed teacher and then get a job that will pay me maybe 60,000 baht.
You can do a PGCE online with some universities so you don't need to go home. I studied for my teaching degree while I was working in a Thai school. Then I got a job in an international school which paid me 95k monthly. Then a realised I hated teaching kids! 😂
Greetings Mike! Great video! Your visa comparison info is particularly helpful. I love Thailand and will be next month to start my retirement visa. I’ll stick with Thailand for me! Thanks again! 😄🙏🏼
From my point of view, cleanliness is my first priority, I prefer Vietnam because this country is much cleaner than it’s neighborhood countries including Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
Yes, Vietnam is much cleaner than Thailand. This is the proof that you refer to. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ybLTN5MJapU.html&ab_channel=VietnamInsight ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0RsZOsXLrI8.html&ab_channel=ExpatNam
Wai Ho, You must be a "dư luận viên" for Vietnamese Communist Party . People, there are Vietnamese comrades from Vietnam Communist Party. They are paid to go on internet and convince people that Viet Nam is the best place to live and to visit . They are professional trolls
completely agree... VN is a lovely country but it is just too Loud and with no stable visa system its just not somewhere I wanna live/base anymore... great for a short holiday/month break but not to live!! so you moved back to Thailand now then or just over there for work?
@@livinginphuketthailand fair enough.. I don't blame ya.. am looking at Thailand as more of a base now too.. will always love VN but they just don't have the stability that Thailand has...looking forward to more vids on Phuket then Mike :)
Hi Mike, I did live in Saigon for four months at a time a few years back in the public transportation. The buses did have air conditioning in all the motorcycles got out of the way of the buses so I did make it more expedited. 😅
+ 1 I found fake lobster in Danang night market. They looks dice octopus and it's not fresh and they input a lot of chili sauce and a lot of pepper and input onion to cover the bad smell and they input it back to the lobster shell. And everyday in my trip I got they cheat and irritable to their customers.
@@anhbinbaccuc8850 He is either a Chinese or a Thai. He bad-mouths, denigrates Vietnam everywhere. I read his negative criticisms and even his lies, untruth on Vietnam in many foreigner youtubers’ videos. For example: in the comment section of Paddy Doyle’s recent video, he told to be scammed 4 times in 5 days in Vietnam. LMAO! We know he lied through his teeth. No one too stupid to be scammed constantly in such a short time, unless he has a problem of self-awareness/consciousness for learning nothing from experience. But we know he told whoppers.
@@keepintouchthailand9983 I'm not Vietnamese but I love and respect Vietnam and Vietnamese people. If I would change to Vietnamese name then my name should be bac ho ))))))
Note number 2 only, if you don't want to see Muay Thai in the middle of the road, don't do it. If you do it without force majeure, you may find a makeshift boxing ring in the middle of the road, which is very dangerous for your life.
Great video it would definitely be Thailand for me between the 2 countries due to the overall ease of adjusting. Quick question: Do you or anyone here think The Thai language or The Vietnamese language is easier for English speakers?
Excellent video! I like your honest assesment of both countries. Although your opinion might be considered subjectve, I do agree with your comparisons between both countries. I spent about a month in Viet Nam, so I'm probably not the best judge. It seems that Thailand has more conviences for foreigners and expats, I've spoken to expats that love Viet Nam and feel that it's culturally more authentic than Thailand. All in all, it's always a matter of personal taste. Again, great video.
Are Chiang Mai and Danang better on transportation, weather, and noise than Saigon and Bangkok? While anywhere in Cambodia is better than any of them? And is it true that the heat and humidity anywhere in Thailand is much worse than all other SE Asian countries?
This would be a better city vs. city comparison, not country vs. country. I get you are going broad for people who may have not travelled to either before, but this isn't a clear picture of either country. The language comparisons are really accurate in this video though!
China's gdp per capita is only $12,000, which is far from enough to enter the developed world. But even before entering the developed world, the population began to decline. So many people say that China's future is dark.
The thing is that Vietnam and China are both communist countries and therefore aren't as friendly for Westerners. That's not to say they're objectively bad or anything - they just appeal to an entirely different culture. Thailand is much more Western-friendly imo.
Vietnam and China are different. I'm a Vietnamese person and i can do anything i want to do except what's illegal okay !!! comfortable with life in the peaceful countryside 😎🤠
@@fnrjekkdbrnrj9972 anyone can do what they want in any country if it isn't illegal... the issue is that some countries have much stricter laws than others.
Have you been to Vietnam? Your statement ain't accurate. As a black man, I was stopped many times in Thailand just to check if my paperwork is up to date for no reason (South). Even though I did nothing wrong I always had my passport with me in my pocket. In Vietnam, I wasn't stopped even once. Vietnam is my favorite country in Asia. Hanoi the city of peace got a great vibe. The only discrimination I felt in VN was when I was teaching. But on my next visit ill be working remotely
Although being a communist country, Vietnam is far different to China or North Korea. In Vietnam, you can access internet everytime and everywhere and look up information you need on internet. You can easily use the social network platforms (Google, Facebook, Twitter, RU-vid, Instagram…) that are banned in China or inaccessible in North Korea. Vietnamese people don’t like Chinese government, if not hate. Anti-Chinese sentiment among ordinary Vietnamese continues to grow. Vietnamese are always wary of China as China invaded and colonized Vietnam in 1000 years. The last time China attacked the northern border of Vietnam and killed many Vietnamese people in 1979. China is not good neighbour.
Well come to Thailand 🇹🇭 ผมเป็นคนไทยครับ ขอบคุณที่นักท่องเที่ยวชอบเมืองไทย หวังว่าคุณจะกลับมาท่องเที่ยวเมืองไทยอีกนะครับ คนไทยเรามีน้ำใจประเทศไทยยินดีต้อนรับ นักท่องเที่ยวทุกคนครับผม
If you want freedom, people must choose Thailand. You can criticize the government. You can do anything in Thailand as long as it doesn't create problems for society. But in Vietnam if you say something they will arrest you.
Dont compare. Thailand are absolutely Vietnam’s rival in many ways. Overcoming Thailand is an ultimate dream of Vietnamese. But as a Thai, Vietnam never been our rival. We never known how they think about Thailand , never cared until the globalization and the internet’s era has come. Due to the globalization ,we’ve recently known how much they wanna be ahead of Thailand in every ways as well as how much of jealousy they have against us. I think the thing that makes Vietnam cant catch up with Thailand in most of way are character of people and culture’s foundation. First of all Vietnamese people should have stopped using horns all the time while riding or driving. I totally agree with you .
Thailand has the best public transportation! Vietnam needs to get BTS, Bus for city, Big bus from city to city and little pickup with rack on back for hauling people. That is the best thing about Thailand. I do not want to own a motor bike like they have to in Vietnam. You would have no money if you had to pay a taxi everyday.
Vietnam jealously against Thailand lmao don't kid yourself, unless it's football we don't think about you at all, the knowledge of Thailand for most Vietnamese are a country full of gay and ladyboy, not to mention den of vice for people to come for prostitute and drug
Most people will prefer Thailand from developed countries such as East Asia and Europe because Thailand has a good mix of development and old world charm. Although it does seem like Thailand is moving towards being a developed country and some of the charm will disappear.
@@BonVoyage861 I think you dont know anything about Thai people and Thai culture. How could we survive after the WWII was over. How could we win with the Allies in spite of we was with the Axis ? Learn more about Siamese Talk. Actually We dont want any charm to flatter other else. We are just the way we are. If we change , it is because of we want to change. I am happy with what I am now. That’s all. Thailand has the weakest culture compare to Chinese culture , Vietnamese culture or Indian culture. As we are a melting pot of cultures. We have been changing all the time. We open for everything. But you know? The weakest thing is the strongest thing at the same time. We open and receive but we have our way to deal with it. Blending into our own way is a really Thai way. I think flexibility or Sabay Sabay Mai Pen Rai is our real charming. You need to learn more about Thailand just the way it is.
Phuket vs Ho Chi Minh City. Its not quite VN vs Thailaind! Ever get stuck in traffic in Bangkok? Its the same as getting stuck in traffic in HCM city! Is it me or is the person in the video also loud? And communication is going to better in any country if you speak a little bit local dialect. Vietnamese food is authentic SE asian food. Thai food is crossover of SE asian/ chinese/ Indian food. I love both Thais and Viet food, but if I want a curry then I'll go India. If i want noodle I'll go Vietnamese. I think i can only agrees with the Visa point as that was least subjective
require to hv a local to bring us to have good vietnamese food (must be in a restaurant). the scenic view in north vietnam is superior, thai do not have that high mountains plus the air is cooler in north viet.
I really like your presentation. Can you make a video comparing the levels of heat and humidity in the various locations in Southeast Asian countries for us North Americans who can't take it, but don't want to be imprisoned with air conditioning 24/7?? Especially for us who are in our 60s.
U didn’t cover much on expenses between Thai vs Vietnam… I been to Thai but my next vacation thinking on Vietnam.. So how’s expense there? Are they as expensive as Thai?
@@keepintouchthailand9983 not really, "Ang" is not a normal name in Vietnamese, usually it will be "Anh" instead of "Ang". but maybe they are Vietnamese with unusual names? right?
Every Malaysia woman I talked to had an attitude. I had to constantly walk on egg shells around them. They have the same shxtty attitude as American women. Thai women and Filipino women are super nice from my experience in those two countries!
In Vietnam, hotel and apartment rates are cheaper than Thailand and clean, transportation rates are cheaper, there are no bribes to complete visa transactions, fraud is few compared to other countries, and the Vietnamese are not greedy. All prices are the same for foreigners and Vietnamese .
Don't compare like that. All comparisons are lame. Thailand's development calls for tourism. And Vietnam calls for investment. Two different goals. Thailand's economy is in the hands of Chinese tycoons. Vietnam's economy is basically controlled by the government
I'm curious about this one buddy. I have gone to school in Thailand and been visiting Thailand for years, but sadly it is hard to find Thai women that are looking for a life mate. Is it easier to find Vietnam women that are looking for a life mate?
Act like your country has no homosexuals. Our country simply accepts the equality of human beings regardless of gender. which your country can never do
@@Kik-pv6yl Same. I used to go to school in Bangkok and have been vacationing in Pattaya for years. All the local Thai people told me that Phuket is the most expensive place in Thailand, yet Pattaya and Koh Larn are way nicer and cheaper!!!
Tại sao phải tội nghiệp chúng tôi. Thái Lan mấy người chỉ chăm chăm tìm clip người khác chê VN là vào mỉa mai. Nhìn lại mình đi, phát triển trước VN bao nhiêu năm, giờ vẫn chỉ là nước đang phát triển như VN thì có gì tự hào. Chỉ vì có người khác chê VN thì vào hả hê như thể Thái Lan là trung tâm vũ trụ. Có 1 clip người khác chê Thái Lan không bằng VN thì dân Thái vô tấn công, chửi rửa người ta, dân Thái Lan đều mất dạy như vậy sao?
If you asked expats living in Vietnam for a long time they will say the same damn thing but vice versa...... Visa? Vietnam used to have 90 days tourist visa, and tourists abused it by staying for jobs without paying taxes .... There's a reason why they chose Vietnam to do that ...........Elite visa, education visa, they have that in Vietnam, Digital normad that's working without paying taxes for the country you resigning in Quietness? That's why expats love Vietnam choose district 2, 7 and Thu Duc, or Binh Duong, as to the common tourists who just drop by Saigon for a short period and think district 1 and the inner city districts are ALL SAIGON ... Infact you don't need to go to those places There are whites dudes living in houses hidden in alleys ways of Saigon where you hear nothing but bird chirping all days ...... Traffics? District 2 and 7 that's where expats and Koreans set up their city, they don't need to step outside those 2 districts and live a quiet comfort western life Languages? You have got to be kidding me.....English is the secondary language taught in school since kindergarten till high school, How many times you come in contact with the young people on the street? Vietnamese you can google search can you google search Thai sign you see on the street ???????????????????????????????? Food? You like spicy, Thai fits you, but don't say Vietnamese food doesn't make any sense
@@livinginphuketthailand Which part of D7? and for how long compare to the 10yrs in Thailand? The fact that you put Saigon and only Saigon on the table and compare it with a secondary city in Thailand, that shows a biased right there .... I've been to many cities in Vietnam and they're just too quiet for my taste, they all reminded me of North America where I wanted to get away from, and I'm sure many expats chose Saigon for the same reason, when they could have tons of choices in Vietnam and South East Asia.
นี่เป็นความคิดเห็นส่วนตัวไร้อคติ หรือไบอัสความเอนเอียงส่วนบุคคล ผมพอเข้าใจได้ว่าสี่ข้อแรกที่คุณอธิบายมาล้วนเป็นความจริง ยกเว้นข้อสุดท้าย ทุกประเทศมีอาหารที่เป็นอัตตลักษณ์ของตัวเอง และความชอบรสชาติอาหารจัดจ้านเป็นความชอบส่วนบุคคลของคุณเอง แต่คุณไม่ควรวิจาณ์อาหารของประเทศอื่นด้วยอคติส่วนตัวที่ไม่ดีเช่นกัน FYI: I used an auto-translation, no bias any unfair attitude, yes of course they are true as said by you for the first four clauses but the last one as your expression looks unfair for other countries' food that should not put any negative opinions. I respect to your strong tastes of Thai food and it may be No#1 in your eyes as the No#1 roasted duck is from China but mine is from Vietnam. Another thing, having any meal in atmosphere of combined family members, beloved friends is more tasting than any the best food on this earth. Many sidewalk restaurants in town or countryside of Vietnam is fulfill of more giving from owner and customer don't need to pay more for extra food that's why many foreign youtubers impressed.
@@BonVoyage861 0) Yes I might add my own biased attitude but I never look down on any others beyond facts. 1) I agreed with him for undeveloped infra-circumstances but obviously looking down on other RU-vidrs/Vloggers/NoMad/Expat reviewing Vietnamese cuisines as if "idiots", Fair? 2) I agreed with him for all not-good-enough infrastructures, caostic traffic, and renewing visas & GovService, but he should not put any biased fancy thoughts into local Vietnamese food fusioned with a French aspect decay, Underrated? 3) Moreover, listening to his job as a language teacher but never respect other countries' local way of life or trying to speak in their local linguistics like other professional NoMad/Expat even if living there for over a decade. Sorry English is not my native. 4) ภาษาต่างประเทศไม่ถนัด เอาให้เคลียรเลยว่าผมอคติมั้ย!!!