Is it cheaper to travel to Vietnam or Thailand - Sao La Tours FAQ

Many travelers are having a hard time deciding between Vietnam and Thailand as the next destination for their upcoming trip. One of the questions that usually pop up is: “Is it cheaper to travel to Vietnam or Thailand?”. Let’s find out the answer with Sao La Tours in the following article.

Vietnam vs Thailand: Cost of accommodation

In Vietnam

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are one of the most popular tourist spots in Vietnam. In HCMC, you can find cheap hostels that only cost around $5 to $8 per night. A mid-budget traveler may prefer three-star hotels with prices ranging from $17 to $35. Guesthouses are a more budget-friendly option, which cost about $7 per night for a private room or dorm bed.

Accommodation price in Hanoi is not considerably higher than Saigon. You can easily find a three-star hotel room for $17 to $55 per night. The price for hostels are quite cheap, ranging between $3.50 and $8.

In Thailand

Overall, the cost for accommodation in Thailand might be a little higher compared to Vietnam. Nevertheless, you can still find some cheap options in Bangkok such as three-star hotels, which cost between $22 to $74 per night. Backpackers may want to look for hostels with prices starting from $11 to as much as $26 per night. You can even find $3 - $4 offers during the low season.

Staying in Phuket - a famous beach island - is not as expensive as you think. Prices for hostels are between $4.50 and $14, while 3-star hotels usually cost around $18 to as much as $100 each night.

Cost of transportation in Vietnam compared to Thailand

Flights to Vietnam and Thailand

There’s no direct flight from the US to Vietnam and you usually need to pay around $300 for a one-way economy ticket. If you’re in the UK, you can take direct flight to HCMC, which costs over $900.

A one-way economy flight ticket from the US to Thailand usually costs from $341 and it can raise to $700 if you’re flying directly from the UK.

Local transportation in Vietnam and Thailand

The most convenient and safest way to travel in Vietnam is hiring a private car (price ranges from $40 - $80. If you want to reduce transportation fees, going on buses (VND 7.000 per route) is a great idea. Cyclo is the best option for city tours, as you get to enjoy the views of the streets. For traveling between cities, you might want to consider going by train, which usually costs around $22 to $30 depending on the distance.

In Thailand, transferring between cities by bus is the most common way. The air-con buses can help you reduce the traveling time, but they’re also more expensive. Going long distances by train is also recommended, although there are places where the rail network can’t reach. The most popular means of transport is definitely tuk-tuks.

Vietnam vs Thailand: Cost for food

Vietnam is the absolute winner when it comes to cheap food. You can easily enjoy the most popular dishes of the countries such as Pho, which only cost around $1. For a cheap meal in Thailand, travelers usually have to pay $2 and up.

In recent years, the price of Thailand street food has been constantly rising. You will easily spend $1.5 for a quick breakfast at any eatery along the streets. A cheap dinner at a mid-budget restaurant can easily cost you from $6 to $11.

While in Vietnam, the food price will remain quite cheap. Tourists can enjoy either local or European simple dishes that cost only around $1.2. With $4 at hand, you will have a nutritious dinner in a decent restaurant.

Comparing other costs in Vietnam and Thailand

• Attractions: The cost for visiting the famous attractions is roughly the same for both Vietnam and Thailand. The prices will vary according to the locations and the popularity of the spots.

• Alcohol and cigarettes: You can buy beer and vodka in Vietnam for a fairly cheap price and definitely cheaper than that in Thailand. If you smoke, you can also get very low prices for cigarettes in Vietnam, while cheap cigarettes in Thailand are difficult to find.

• Local foods: In general, local foods are very budget-friendly in both Vietnam and Thailand. Most goods are cheap in the local markets. The prices can be a little higher if you shop in malls and supermarkets.

Is it cheaper to travel to Vietnam or Thailand?

In short, you can save quite a significant amount of money when traveling and staying in Vietnam. With the tourism sector being in constant increase, Thailand is also witnessing higher and higher prices. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly trip, Thailand might not be the best option. Of course the price is still quite cheap in Thailand, but you can get a better experience and quality service for the very same price while in Vietnam.

Overall, if you’re wondering “Is it cheaper to travel to Vietnam or Thailand?”, it’s safe to say that Vietnam does have more advantages over Thailand. Although the flight ticket to Vietnam might be more expensive, the cost of staying in Vietnam is significantly cheaper. Don’t forget to contact Sao La Tours if you have any other questions about traveling to Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries.

Is it cheaper to travel to Vietnam or Thailand