Vietnam or Thailand
Discussion
Hello people,
Just wondered if anyone could help me on this dilemma;
Looking to go to either Thailand or Vietnam in December with a mate (more on this in a mo) but cant decide on which one.
Im mainly looking for a beachish holiday and not a day time excursion one but at the same time, will do excursions if i think there worth while (such as visiting jungles or going on a boat etc)
Cant really be bothered with continuous partying but at the same time, would like to be around other travellers as my mate can be, how can i put it, not that sociable come night time.
So, which one would you recommend my well travelled 'friends'?
Just wondered if anyone could help me on this dilemma;
Looking to go to either Thailand or Vietnam in December with a mate (more on this in a mo) but cant decide on which one.
Im mainly looking for a beachish holiday and not a day time excursion one but at the same time, will do excursions if i think there worth while (such as visiting jungles or going on a boat etc)
Cant really be bothered with continuous partying but at the same time, would like to be around other travellers as my mate can be, how can i put it, not that sociable come night time.
So, which one would you recommend my well travelled 'friends'?
Personally, having done both, I would choose Thailand every time.
There are loads of places you can go, not all of Thailand is about the party (it's sad that it seems to have that reputation now).
A couple of places to mention:
Koh Lanta - wonderful island, wonderful people, couple of great places to drink but it is a lot quieter than some places.
Koh Phangnag - The island as a whole has a bad rap due to being were the full moon parties happen. The north of the island is beautiful and quiet, there are some great restaurants and of course the parties are there if you want them.
Phi Phi - for scenery
Ko Tao - diving and scenery (not my favourite)
Samui - well there are plenty of reviews on the island on here, personally I quite like parts of it... obviously being the most touristy of the islands there are going to be bad parts.
North - Koh Chaing and others - worth a look, my stops through were very brief so I don't feel right commenting really but worth looking into as the place had a nice feel to it.
Vietnam on the other hand, I didn't really enjoy at all. I found the people to be quite fake, only wanting to get money out of you for this, that, and the other. Don't get me wrong it is a beautiful country with a lot of history, there were a couple of places that were OK for the beachy type holiday but over all it just didn't have the right feel to it for me. All in my own opinion of course. I am sure there will be others along shortly to state otherwise.
There are loads of places you can go, not all of Thailand is about the party (it's sad that it seems to have that reputation now).
A couple of places to mention:
Koh Lanta - wonderful island, wonderful people, couple of great places to drink but it is a lot quieter than some places.
Koh Phangnag - The island as a whole has a bad rap due to being were the full moon parties happen. The north of the island is beautiful and quiet, there are some great restaurants and of course the parties are there if you want them.
Phi Phi - for scenery
Ko Tao - diving and scenery (not my favourite)
Samui - well there are plenty of reviews on the island on here, personally I quite like parts of it... obviously being the most touristy of the islands there are going to be bad parts.
North - Koh Chaing and others - worth a look, my stops through were very brief so I don't feel right commenting really but worth looking into as the place had a nice feel to it.
Vietnam on the other hand, I didn't really enjoy at all. I found the people to be quite fake, only wanting to get money out of you for this, that, and the other. Don't get me wrong it is a beautiful country with a lot of history, there were a couple of places that were OK for the beachy type holiday but over all it just didn't have the right feel to it for me. All in my own opinion of course. I am sure there will be others along shortly to state otherwise.
Edited by VEA on Wednesday 7th November 15:19
VEA said:
Personally, having done both, I would choose Thailand every time.
There are loads of places you can go, not all of Thailand is about the party (it's sad that it seems to have that reputation now).
A couple of places to mention:
Koh Lanta - wonderful island, wonderful people, couple of great places to drink but it is a lot quieter than some places.
Koh Phangnag - The island as a whole has a bad rap due to being were the full moon parties happen. The north of the island is beautiful and quiet, there are some great restaurants and of course the parties are there if you want them.
Phi Phi - for scenery
Ko Tao - diving and scenery (not my favourite)
Samui - well there are plenty of reviews on the island on here, personally I quite like parts of it... obviously being the most touristy of the islands there are going to be bad parts.
North - Koh Chaing and others - worth a look, my stops through were very brief so I don't feel right commenting really but worth looking into as the place had a nice feel to it.
Vietnam on the other hand, I didn't really enjoy at all. I found the people to be quite fake, only wanting to get money out of you for this, that, and the other. Don't get me wrong it is a beautiful country with a lot of history, there were a couple of places that were OK for the beachy type holiday but over all it just didn't have the right feel to it for me. All in my own opinion of course. I am sure there will be others along shortly to state otherwise.
Thanks for that, me and the wife are looking to go in the next year or so but I have no idea where to even start looking. That's a nice summary to start me off, don't suppose you wrote a thread anywhere?There are loads of places you can go, not all of Thailand is about the party (it's sad that it seems to have that reputation now).
A couple of places to mention:
Koh Lanta - wonderful island, wonderful people, couple of great places to drink but it is a lot quieter than some places.
Koh Phangnag - The island as a whole has a bad rap due to being were the full moon parties happen. The north of the island is beautiful and quiet, there are some great restaurants and of course the parties are there if you want them.
Phi Phi - for scenery
Ko Tao - diving and scenery (not my favourite)
Samui - well there are plenty of reviews on the island on here, personally I quite like parts of it... obviously being the most touristy of the islands there are going to be bad parts.
North - Koh Chaing and others - worth a look, my stops through were very brief so I don't feel right commenting really but worth looking into as the place had a nice feel to it.
Vietnam on the other hand, I didn't really enjoy at all. I found the people to be quite fake, only wanting to get money out of you for this, that, and the other. Don't get me wrong it is a beautiful country with a lot of history, there were a couple of places that were OK for the beachy type holiday but over all it just didn't have the right feel to it for me. All in my own opinion of course. I am sure there will be others along shortly to state otherwise.
Edited by VEA on Wednesday 7th November 15:19
Thanks
I have written loads on holidaying and tourism in Vietnam, in other PH forums, as i worked there for about 8 years in total, its a fantastic country and has lots to offer............
I have also worked in Thailand and if you really want a nice, touristy type holiday where the country has just about everything set up for the tourist, then Thailand is your destination, so much to see and do with fantastic weather and not too expensive.
If youre up for a challenge and well travelled and understand that when in Rome do as the Romans, and you can put up with idiots and beggers, then try Vietnam, its such a different culture and be ready for a culture shock on arrival. There are fantastic unspoiled beaches, nice hotels and all the other nice bits that you want, you just have to search them out. It will certainly open your eyes to the world.
There are the beggers in both Vietnam and Thailand so you wont get away from that, its just that one country markets tourism better and spends Millions $$$ more on it than the other.
Make your own choice..and enjoy it
I have also worked in Thailand and if you really want a nice, touristy type holiday where the country has just about everything set up for the tourist, then Thailand is your destination, so much to see and do with fantastic weather and not too expensive.
If youre up for a challenge and well travelled and understand that when in Rome do as the Romans, and you can put up with idiots and beggers, then try Vietnam, its such a different culture and be ready for a culture shock on arrival. There are fantastic unspoiled beaches, nice hotels and all the other nice bits that you want, you just have to search them out. It will certainly open your eyes to the world.
There are the beggers in both Vietnam and Thailand so you wont get away from that, its just that one country markets tourism better and spends Millions $$$ more on it than the other.
Make your own choice..and enjoy it
Shinobi said:
Thanks for that, me and the wife are looking to go in the next year or so but I have no idea where to even start looking. That's a nice summary to start me off, don't suppose you wrote a thread anywhere?
Thanks
I'm afraid I haven't but if you want more info I would be happy to do so. PM me if you like.Thanks
phumy said:
I have written loads on holidaying and tourism in Vietnam, in other PH forums, as i worked there for about 8 years in total, its a fantastic country and has lots to offer............
I have also worked in Thailand and if you really want a nice, touristy type holiday where the country has just about everything set up for the tourist, then Thailand is your destination, so much to see and do with fantastic weather and not too expensive.
If youre up for a challenge and well travelled and understand that when in Rome do as the Romans, and you can put up with idiots and beggers, then try Vietnam, its such a different culture and be ready for a culture shock on arrival. There are fantastic unspoiled beaches, nice hotels and all the other nice bits that you want, you just have to search them out. It will certainly open your eyes to the world.
There are the beggers in both Vietnam and Thailand so you wont get away from that, its just that one country markets tourism better and spends Millions $$$ more on it than the other.
Make your own choice..and enjoy it
I agree with this... two different places that offer different things. My time in Vietnam was probably spoiled by the wrong frame of mind and I have thought about trying it again.I have also worked in Thailand and if you really want a nice, touristy type holiday where the country has just about everything set up for the tourist, then Thailand is your destination, so much to see and do with fantastic weather and not too expensive.
If youre up for a challenge and well travelled and understand that when in Rome do as the Romans, and you can put up with idiots and beggers, then try Vietnam, its such a different culture and be ready for a culture shock on arrival. There are fantastic unspoiled beaches, nice hotels and all the other nice bits that you want, you just have to search them out. It will certainly open your eyes to the world.
There are the beggers in both Vietnam and Thailand so you wont get away from that, its just that one country markets tourism better and spends Millions $$$ more on it than the other.
Make your own choice..and enjoy it
broadly speaking, thailand is a far more well-trodden path, which means it's probably the best bet, but also means that vietnam has the charm of being not so. They are actually surprisingly different countries, considering i hear a lot of people say them both in the same breath. There is a definite edginess in vietnam that thailand doesn't have (any more at least). I love them both, but I'm glad I went to thailand first.
Thailand. Been to both. I spent some time in Cambodia last Jan and loved it. Going back in Jan 2013 for more of a tour around (got enduro bike tours booked). Found it to be far nicer than Thailand and Vietnam much cleaner e.t.c and also very cheap.Saying that i had been to Thailand 9 times so maybe needed a change.
Hello all,
Thanks for the advice and ive finally booked 15 days out in thailand in Jan.
Im just going to Koh Samui/Koh Tao as i cant be bothered to waste days in the back of a taxi/boat/plane etc travelling to other areas of thailand.
However, im having trouble deciding the 'itinery', would it be worth doing 3 days in KS (to recover from jet lag) - 5 days in KT for diving - 7 days in KS
or do 5 in ks - 5 in KT - 5 in KS.
Thanks
Thanks for the advice and ive finally booked 15 days out in thailand in Jan.
Im just going to Koh Samui/Koh Tao as i cant be bothered to waste days in the back of a taxi/boat/plane etc travelling to other areas of thailand.
However, im having trouble deciding the 'itinery', would it be worth doing 3 days in KS (to recover from jet lag) - 5 days in KT for diving - 7 days in KS
or do 5 in ks - 5 in KT - 5 in KS.
Thanks
t hole European 18-30 resortI went to Thailand in august and went to KL, Bangkok, Koh Samui and KohPhangan.
I really enjoyed Samui and would go back. I stayed on chaweng (oh yes) for 5 days and was a little worried about crowds and noise etc so stayed on the north of chaweng and was glad I did as I could enjoy the best of both worlds by walking up the beach to all the madness which was great and then walk back to my tranquil part of my holiday.
I also stayed in Kohphangan for 4 days on Salad Beach, again I loved the island as the beach was beautiful and quiet. I am glad that I visited Samui aswell as I think boredom would have kicked in staying in phangan for 9 days.
It was the best holiday i've had and i've been to various parts of the world.
Also the free upgrade to business class on the A380 on the way home just finished off my holiday perfectly. ;-)
I really enjoyed Samui and would go back. I stayed on chaweng (oh yes) for 5 days and was a little worried about crowds and noise etc so stayed on the north of chaweng and was glad I did as I could enjoy the best of both worlds by walking up the beach to all the madness which was great and then walk back to my tranquil part of my holiday.
I also stayed in Kohphangan for 4 days on Salad Beach, again I loved the island as the beach was beautiful and quiet. I am glad that I visited Samui aswell as I think boredom would have kicked in staying in phangan for 9 days.
It was the best holiday i've had and i've been to various parts of the world.
Also the free upgrade to business class on the A380 on the way home just finished off my holiday perfectly. ;-)
Edited by Callismichael on Monday 17th December 13:58
Well so far ive had 4 full days on lamai beach and one full day on koh tao and wished i had done 2 days at lamai and 6 on kt as theres so much i want to do here but wont get time.
As for lamai, theres not much going on, was chatting to a local english dude and he said this area is more of a felaxing area than chaweng, however the beaches are deserted by day and the only busy hotspot was the girly bars - some stunners in there but alas i didnt buy and swing bar. The place is also starting to more popular with the russkies but you never saw them on a night out
Also had i of known before hand (teaches me for not researching enough) is that you can stay over night at the anthrong national park, which i reckon would be awesome. Planning on doing that trip next week
As for lamai, theres not much going on, was chatting to a local english dude and he said this area is more of a felaxing area than chaweng, however the beaches are deserted by day and the only busy hotspot was the girly bars - some stunners in there but alas i didnt buy and swing bar. The place is also starting to more popular with the russkies but you never saw them on a night out
Also had i of known before hand (teaches me for not researching enough) is that you can stay over night at the anthrong national park, which i reckon would be awesome. Planning on doing that trip next week
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