Thailand vs. Vietnam: where to live better

Climate

Thailand - 4, Vietnam - 5. Take two of the southern resort of Phuket island in Thailand and the city of Nha Trang in Vietnam. At the same time travel (in winter), the second seemed to us much more pleasant. Not so hot, the evenings cool and fresh. But depending on the time of year and as you move to the north or south of any country in the weather can vary greatly. In the north of Vietnam in March we decently podmorzli, while in Bangkok, exhausted from the heat and humidity. By the way, in the winter in Vietnam - not the season, the sea is turbulent, there are showers. But in the south of Thailand at this time simply amazing: the sea is clean, you can safely swim, the weather is dry, the sun is not as scorching as the spring.

prices

Food

Thailand - 4, Vietnam - 5. In Vietnam, as we thought, fresh fruit and vegetables more affordable. But if we talk about imported products, especially Asians who do not eat (such as milk, cheese) then compare hard.

Clothing, appliances, electronics

Thailand - 4, Vietnam - 2. Vietnam's market is very meager compared with Thailand. Appliances and electronics - do not skate this country. More expensive than in Thailand. As for clothes, popular online brands in Vietnam, at times less than in Thailand. Clothing from the market again, here cheaper.

Housing

Thailand - 5, Vietnam - 4. Thailand is very developed from a tourist point of view, therefore, housing for everyone in every city just a huge number. Any resort is built Condotel, villas. Many beautiful apartments and European-style houses near the sea, and the price is much lower with respect to Russia. In Vietnam, cheap accommodation, especially hotels. But here is to find something European is very difficult. We are very much looking for an apartment in Nha Trang and chose one of the most expensive options. All the others were made with wooden furniture in the Vietnamese style. For us, it was not very familiar and comfortable.

Availability and speed of the Internet

Thailand - 2, Vietnam - 3. In Vietnam, a great and cheap mobile internet. It works almost everywhere, even in the villages and on the road. If we talk about domestic Internet, it is quite unstable. Failures are usually associated with breakdowns in the transmission grid. In Thailand, the Internet was a dead almost everywhere, especially at the guesthouse. Mobile Internet of good quality, but it is much more expensive than in Vietnam.

Infrastructure

Thailand - 5, Vietnam - 3. Thailand is ideal for tourists. Road of excellent quality. At every corner there are convenience stores, street food, shopping malls, entertainment centers, bars, clubs. Here, at any time of the day you can find food for all tastes. With the entertainment is the same story. Vietnam in this respect is much more backward. To eat or to buy something after 23:00 problematic. Vietnamese amicably go to sleep, and the streets are empty. Not our favorite network 7-Eleven stores. There are small shops with food, but they are more like warehouses. Yes, and work on a schedule that is convenient host. Shopping malls are not the best.

visa application procedure (easy)

Thailand - 2, Vietnam - 5. It is definitely a tick Vietnam. The visa can be issued for a period of one or three months directly upon arrival at the airport. It is worth it's not expensive, there is no consular fees. Until recently, this visa more easy and inexpensive it was to extend the currently difficult. Visa-free regime for Russian citizens - 15 days, but in Thailand - 30. To issue or renew a Thai visa is more expensive. This can only be done outside the country in the Thai consulate. This process is stressful. You never know what the trailer man at passport control. Thailand put a deuce for the tightening of visa policies. We generally find ourselves today with a scratch in Thailand, having multiple seals exit-entry. Previously, it was much easier, but every year the migration policy compresses the vise. Perhaps, and Vietnam once becomes less affordable.

Food

Thailand - 5, Vietnam - 4. Thailand — a place where not stay hungry than ever. Such a large number and variety of street food there is in any other country in the world, I guess. Street food is very affordable, it can be found at almost any time of the day. Restaurants for every taste. But in Vietnam, at certain hours the food is simply disappear from the streets. It is difficult to find something for lunch, because the Vietnamese go to siesta. Restaurants and a huge number, delicious seafood. Frankly, the food in Vietnam is closer to us. It is more simple and very affordable – $ 1 for a huge portion of soup or rice with meat or fish. And it can be to overeat. And yes, such delicious rice we do not eat anywhere else.

Transport

Thailand - 4, Vietnam - 4. It is very difficult to compare the capital and the province, because it's two different things, as well as in Russia. In the major cities of Vietnam is no subway, while in Bangkok and have an underground metro, the BTR and ground and water transport. And still very expensive taxi. Only 35 baht for land and approximately 5 baht per kilometer thereafter. But very often traffic jams in Bangkok such that the meter can be wound nehily amount. In Vietnam, the taxi is also very much, and they are quite affordable. Cheap bus, a lot of bicycles and rickshaws. In Thailand, a large number of tuk-tuks, but we do not like to use their services, often wind the prices. In Bangkok, there are free shuttle, but it usually wooden buses without air conditioning. Price depends on the type of bus.

beaches

Thailand (Phuket) - 5, Vietnam (Nha Trang) - 3. We can compare the two countries are only two beach resorts. Phuket is washed by the Andaman Sea, which has a stunning turquoise color. On the island a huge number of developed beaches with good infrastructure and plenty of entertainment. In the season of Phuket is perfect for those who love the sea. Beaches in Nha Trang is not much water is azure, and in the evening all the beaches are crowded by the Vietnamese who love to come to the sea with their families. Entertainment a bit worse and infrastructure developed. Although, when we drove through Vietnam from north to south on the bikes, we saw a large number of beautiful beaches with blue waters and white sand, but it was a wild, non-touristic places.

Medicine

Thailand - 5, Vietnam - 4. In Thailand, we have been in private clinics and in the semi. a high-level service, the staff is friendly, the prices are not as high. All the necessary medicines are given in the required amount immediately after receiving the doctor. It is very comfortable. In Vietnam, we once treated for insurance. Then the doctor came to our house. He spoke very bad English, gave antibiotics and a pair of concomitant medications, and left. But here dentistry like in Vietnam. Dental treatment cost is not expensive. By the way, as far as we know, there are doctors who speak Russian in Vietnam. Clinics and a lot in Thailand, and Vietnam.

Adaptation

Thailand - 3.5 Vietnam - 3.5. This is a very personal aspect. Each in a new country is always adapted in different ways. In Thailand, we have been hard to get used to the food, both in the third week came down with abdominal pain. Food really sharp and very specific: a completely new tastes, which previously we did not try. Well and smells. In Vietnam, the food is fresh and simple: rice with meat or fish, mild soup with rice noodles can be found in every village.

Vietnam harder with the adaptation in terms of language. Very few Vietnamese that tourism does not relate, speak English. All price tags in supermarkets in the Vietnamese language. As we drove across the country, we learn numbers and a couple of sentences, to find out at least the cost of food in the cafe. Often used as a translator. In Thailand, this has not happened. In tourist areas you any local resident can answer passable English. Even in a market where few tourists.

P.S.

Nastya and Jura are video blog about traveling and living in Asia. If interested, go to their channel "Two tickets».