Thailand or Vietnam - Beach holiday - Where to go?

[MattS5]

So, having been to Thailand some 20 years ago, staying at Koh Samui, I'd like to go back.
However, Samui looks to have changed loads in that time, and not in my mind for the better, or maybe I'm just older and looking for different things.

I could also be interested in Vietnam too (my son has just been there travelling Oz and SE Asia and it looked, as I expected, to be fab)

Would likely be looking at Nov or Feb, duration of 10-14 days, a total budget up to £5k for myself and girlfreind seems reasonably achievable.

But where ? Ideally after a relaxing beach holiday, not mad quiet but not mad noisy either.

Krabi seems to get decent reviews, but anywhere else I should be looking?

Thanks

Edited by MattS5 on Friday 18th July 12:29

[Doyliestag]

Have you considered Hua Hin in Thailand? I have been there a couple of times but not since 2017.

[Composite Guru]

We stayed at the Apsara Beachfront Resort in Khao Lak in March. It’s was a fantastic hotel and in the more relaxed area north of Phuket.
Highly recommend that area.

I was put off by Krabi because of the transfer time from Phuket.

[nikaiyo2]

Con Dao in Vietnam is cool, do a couple of nights in the Six Senses resort then move on to something more normal, Secret hotel is amazing value.

Rayong might fit your bill for Thailand.

Hua Hin is nice the centara is really old world, the Wyndham is one of my fave hotels but the location is not brilliant (I have not been for a few years mind)

Phuket is lovely, avoid Patong, Kata, Karon stick to the north and east but make sure you visit Phuket Town

[Somebody]

Another vote for Hua Hin. You need to pick the hotel location though. We stayed at the Standard.

[HotJambalaya]

check out Phu quoc in vietnam

bit left field, Koh Rong in Cambodia. (take small denomination PRISTINE US dollars)

[Griffith4ever]

Koh Chang - has a mix of every thing, from mid-developed, to coconut tree paradise beaches. 45 min flight (or easy bus) from Bangkok. Stay mid island and it has loads of nice restaurants etc, with some peaceful beaches, go further south and it gets very peaceful, but still with places to eat etc.

[White-Noise]

I flew into krabi and had a break on koh lanta. However I'm not sure I would recommend it many of the beaches had lots of broken glass on them which really stained it so that's something to research. There were also instances where lots of Russians or Chinese arrived which I'd like to avoid in future. I'd certainly go back to Thailand though but I'd do my homework based on the above.

[RichFN2]

I only stayed in Ao Nang and Railay beach when I stopped in Krabi, the location is stunning but Ao Nang is a large coastal tourist town with endless restaurants and some bars along the beach front. Some restaurants and hotels are dry so you might need to buy some drinks for your room, you will also have some Malaysian food options (which is fantastic)

Railay is just a 1 big stunning beach cut off from the mainland, and some shack style bars and restaurants with a few hotels. There is a lagoon at the top of cliff but you are literally rock climbing to get to it. You can see everything in about an hour so its a location that divides opinions, for me its a nice place to chill for 2 nights then move on.

Phuket was way too big and busy compared to the other islands we stayed at it just doesn't feel like an island at all, nice enough but I probably wont go back. Phuket town is quite cool though.

I never made it to them but the Ko Yao islands are supposed to be great if you want laid back and less developed, also never heard a bad word said about Ko Chang.

My personal favourite was Koh Tao and Phangan was lovely once the full moon party had finished, most of the island is really quiet if you stay away from the main party town.

[chip*]

OP,

If you are put off with Samui, then I suggest you avoid Ao Nang too. It was many years ago, and the Ao Nang main road was just endless restaurants/ bars then. I stayed near the Holiday Inn, and saw the sewage running directly onto the mediocre beach which was quite off putting...

Koh Tao - the east side is much more quieter when I went, and it was decent for snorkelling (iirc, all the diving schools are on the west side if that's what you want).

[Alorotom]

Another vote for Hua Hin - used to have a little place there 20odd years ago where the Marriott is now - lovely small town.

I tend to stay at Cape Nidhra when I go back - great spacious rooms all with a private plunge pool - really nice place and well situated just off the beach and half way between Blue-Port and the town centre area (5-10min walk in each direction)

[Puggit]

Check out Koh Jum Villas near Krabi... Quiet around the resort, but there's a few decent beach bars along the beach.

Maybe a week there and a week in the more chaotic Ao Nang. We loved both!