Vietnamese food is lighter, fresher, more delicate in flavor so it's not as spicy or heavily flavored such as in Thai (or Lao) foods. The thing about Vietnamese food is the abundance or platters of fresh greens and herbs and all the myriad dips that go with each meal. The food is more interactive and customizable to your palate in that there's a lot of wrapping things up yourself after adding the ingredients you want and then you can add peppers (usually they have at lease one form of pepper present such as fresh, dried, pickled, chili sauce, etc.) or whatnot to make it your own. Thais do have great food, but I think Viets have more variety due to the French and other influences. Thais have had a huge head start on tourism and perfecting their food for tourists vs Vietnam which spent years fighting various countries throughout its history. Keep in mind, the US also placed an embargo on Vietnam so they were handicapped for a long time with the people just scrounging around for food, never mind trying to make a living off tourism. The US also dropped more bombs on their country than all of WWII...so between the bombs, agent Orange, various other poisons to deforest the land, etc., they've had to spend time and resources to rebuild everything whilst Thailand was enjoying life. I think when you look at it from that perspective, it's rather unfair to compare the 2 countries side-by-side.
We enjoyed Vietnamese food very much but to this day prefer Thai food. I think we just both really enjoy the more intense flavors and the heat. I did really enjoy all the wonderful fresh herbs and greens to add to my soup, so tasty 😍
Perfecting their food for tourists?😂 if so why many foreigners say Thai food is too spicy for them( but eat it anyway) Saying Vietnam have more variety of food than Thailand is so funny.
@@vassanab4243 Yes, perfecting their food for tourists palates. I bet when they make papaya salads at home, it's hotter and use of shrimp paste is higher. With that being said, it's possible that their palates have also changed somewhat due to the mass tourism they've catered to for the past 50 years. I was born and spent my younger years in Laos many many moons ago, so I'm familiar with their papaya salad (using them for an example as I cannot recall the Thai one specifically, but I'm pretty sure it was similar back then). It's hot and they go heavy on the shrimp paste and whole crab, something that would scare foreigners whom are not familiar (heck, it scares me when it's made by a real Lao person in the US and it's much stinkier than I'm used to eating when we lived in Laos - but still delicious once you get over the big pieces of crab body parts and the heavy fermented seafood smells). And my family lived in Thailand for a year after leaving Laos. Gary Butler made videos in Vietnam where he's tried peppers at a few places and said how the peppers in Vietnam are hotter than the ones in Thailand. But no, Viets aren't into hot foods like the Laos and Thais. They often have either fresh, dried, pickled, or chili sauce on the table for you to customize the heat for yourself. The Central part of Vietnam where the food is know to be great is where they like heat a bit more than other parts.
I argee about Vietnam foods is blending well with meat & veggies & herbs. Almost every dish have green vegetables!! But Vietnamese food have nothing to with FRENCH. Stop saying Vietnam food similar or affect by French. I’m Vietnamese, tell me where & when Vietnam food affect by French??
@@HauTran-sunfromsouthhey dude, do you really believe we invented banh mi and paté? A lot of our dishes are inspired by French cuisine... Before they arrived, we didn't have op la and beefsteak then
Thailand has a more advanced tourism industry and they cater to westerners better because tourism is a big part of their economy. Vietnam caters more to Vietnamese living around the world, and they want to grow their economy by manufacturing and not by tourism. So they may not care as much about what westerners think.
Great video! I recently went to Thailand and Vietnam as well. They were similar but quite different :P I also think Thailand had more food variety and is more to my taste, perhaps I am more used to eating Thai food from being in the US. However, the Vietnamese culture is unbeatable! There are so much history in Vietnam and to see the people living in harmony after going through such tough time doing the war is surreal. Vietnamese people are also the most welcoming no matter where you’re from. I went to so many moms and pops shops, although we don’t speak the same languages, the aunties and uncles always try to take care of you! Love watching how they set up shops in the little ally with big bowls of soup and ingredients! Sitting on the side of the road and eating is another level of experience. Overall I think Thailand is better catered for tourists and their food is better in a sense that it is more known to the rest of the world, but Vietnamese culture is unreal and the controlled chaos is something you can only experience in person 😂 Initially when I got to vietnam I find myself missing Thailand, but after the trip vietnam so all I can think about… but both places are amazing and would definitely go back!
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Agree that both countries have SO much to offer. We loved our time in Vietnam (even though the food wasn't our favorite 😉) and look forward to heading back next year to explore more. Thanks so much for watching. Cheers 🍻
I think for many Westerners, a food tour in each city is a must as I've seen so many not know how/what to order nor do they know how to eat it properly (eating it wrong doesn't give you the proper flavor profile). Heck, do several food tours with different companies in each of the bigger cities. Tell the tour guides your preferences as far as the types of food you want to try (foreigner-friendly vs adventurous vs local favorites and so on...if you're a texture person and don't like ooey-gooey types of foods like the che buoi (gooey dessert soup with pomelo), let them know. I've seen a lot of food tour videos out of Hanoi that were great. I get a chuckle out of the food tour "Flora and Note" went on, but they did say they told the guide they wanted to eat what the locals eat (which apparently included adventurous stuff), but "Sammy and Tommy", "Adventures of A+K", "This Food Bangz", "TravelHolics", and "MomDuty" had great tours in Hanoi. "Chase and Shelbs" and "The Jo Life" had great ones in HCMC and "Steph and Pete" had an awesome one in Hoi An. I think overall, the best food can be found in Hoi An as it's all concentrated in one tiny area and a lot of the food is from the Central region, which is known for amazing food. I would always suggest foreigners go for things like com tam, bun cha, bun thit nuong, bun bo Hue, bun rieu, nem nuong, banh xeo, banh khot (many are too similar to miniature banh khot so look for ones that are crispy on the outside but creamy in the center), bo ne, bo kho, banh cuon, pho ga tron, etc.
@@BrianandCarrie You sound very obsessed by food and beer lol. For me yes it is important but surely not my priority when visiting a country. The culture, hospitality and things to do are the main things for me. Food is a bonus 🙂.
If you like heavy, deep in favors then Thai food is for you. Keep in my, it also come with high cholesterol. healthy, balance on favors, green and fresh then Vietnamse food if there for you. Don't forget, some part of Vietnam as the central area offer more kick and stronger favor in foods. If you only know Banh My and Pho, then you not really know Vn. There are hundreds kind of soups and thousand dishes. Foods tours in each parts of Vietnam might help to experience foods in different area. Other things as transportation, accommodation as such Vietnam can't complete with Thailand because of long history with wars after wars. For my preference, for foods I will go with Vietnamese foods, but for a place to stay/live I will pick Thailand.
You are right about now knowing about Thai and Vietnam food, and unfortunately you have not tried the many varieties of spicy Vietnamese dishes. Thai is usually very sauce heavy while Vietnamese are fresh herbs and vegetables.
Retired expat from the US lived in Thailand the past five years. Good video. Never had a craft beer there; bottle of Chang costs about $1. Lived in Phuket 4 1/2 years. Was awesome. Left in November, got too crowded. Been to Vietnam a bunch of times. Love Hanoi, so much energy. Yup, a bit noisy. Great to walk around. Try the Hai Giang Loop motorcycle tour. North of Hanoi. Awesome!! Going back end of July, one week in Hanoi, two weeks in Danang. Then the month of November in Danang. Entire apt for the month for $330. People in both countries great. Haven't missed the US for a minute!!
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. Sounds like you've explored quite a bit! We were so happy with the incredibly affordable cost of living. Thanks so much for watching! Cheers 🍻
Im Vietnamese, I hope our Gorvement taxes smoke & alcohol at least 3 times more!! If VIETNAM GORVEMENT EVER RAISE TAXES ON SMOKE & ALCOHOL 3Times. I swear I will go to DOWNTOWN WWITH BANROLL PROTEST 🪧 SAYING THANKS VIETNAM COMMUNIST Lolz 😅😅😅 no joke I’m Vietnamese but never smoke & never drinks. But my brother is heavy smoke, he used 1 pack for everyday & it burn it organ lungs 🫁 He’s also like alcohol wine & beer. He’s working but every weekend when he’s relax, meeting friend is all about eating & drink beer or wine. Its cultures & lifestyle for mostly man in vietnam. THIS IS THE ONLY THING I HATE & DONT LIKE IN VIETNAM. 1$ for beer is cheap. PLEASE HEAVY TAXES ON BEER FOR 2$/1 beer & TAXES ON SMOKE AT LEAST 5X MORE EXPENSIVE SO PPL WILL DROP TO USED IT!! It should be 15-20$/pack of smoke. I’m gonna go protest TO THANKFUL GORVEMENT IF THEYRE DID THIS. I care fk about smoker addict. They can’t stop smoke by themselves because they’re addict to smoke & it cheap affordable. SO ONLY TAXES IT TILL IT CRAZY EXPENSIVE OUT IT WILL MAKE THEM BROKEN THEN CANT BUY CIGARETTES 🚬 TO SMOKES. That’s only solotion
I did a 6 month tour of SE Asia last year (Jan to June 2022). Spent a good chunk of it in Thailand but also did 30 days in Vietnam as well. I highly recommend if you are going back to Vietnam to try HMC, Nha Trang, Mekong Delta, Sa Pa, Phong Nha Caves and Mai Chau. In Thailand I highly recommend Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai and border with Laos) Sokhothai is worth checking out as well.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Thank you so much for the great suggestions. We are planning to return next year and had many of these on the list to visit. Thanks so much for watching! Cheers 🍻
@@christophertran8153 If could have stayed longer I would have BUT I arrive literally 2 weeks after they reopened the country and maximum stay was a 30 day visa.
Vietnam just voted on the 90 day visa! I think it will start in August? Thanks for sharing your overall thoughts, you two do an excellent job at communicating the essential things to know in each destination 👍🏻👍🏻
Nice video and insights. Food taste will always be subjective, of course. I have been in Vietnam for a few months, and have noticed big differences between restaurants, depending on where they are. For example, I went to a noodle shop in Hoi An (high tourist concentration) that was highly rated on Google. The noodles were okay, but they didn't bring out any chile other spices and salad/vegetables, which you will always find on the tables of more local restaurants. I am guessing that they are catering to more cautious eaters, and kind of assume that foreigners can only tolerate bland food. At a typical, local Vietnamese restaurant, there is plenty of chile, lime and spice to add yourself, according to your preference. I kind of like this because compared to Thailand, I have control over how spicy my meal will be. I encourage people to wander out (no need to go far) and find hole-in-the-wall restaurants, that have more flavor, and which are MUCH cheaper, as well. You can get big bowls of delicious, flavorful noodles for about USD $1. I have eaten like this for months, and have never been sick, by the way. Enjoy your adventures!
I lived in Vietnam for three years and I've been to Thailand at least 20 times. They are two of my favorite places in the world. I think your take on them is pretty accurate. There are a lot of things to see and do in HCMC when you go back. There are also a lot of food items in Vietnam that aren't as famous as in Thailand, but they might change your mind about which country has the better food (or not). When you go back, definitely go to Cambodia. It's amazing!
Cambodia is just beautiful. Angkor Wat is a must see. First went to Cambodia 2012 and back again in 2019 and the change in Phnom Penh was really quite sad and I didn't feel safe there as I was previously. Lots of poverty, street crime (Bag snatches etc), Drug use and homelessness
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We look forward to exploring the southern areas of Vietnam next year as well as Cambodia and Laos. Thanks so much for watching!!
I went to Vietnam from March 21 to April 12, 2024. My Vietnamese travel agent in California was able to secure a 5 year multiple entry visas for my whole family with 180 consecutive day limits which would then only need a 24 hour exit from Vietnam and allowed to re-enter for another 180 days.
I just did a visa for my American friends. The travel agent that did the visa told me that american or none vietnamese can only get the 5 years visa only if you are married to a Vietnamese spouse. I was able to get myself a 5 years visa since I’m Vietnamese but my none American friends couldnt. I cant wait to tour VN next year. Have not visit VN since I left the country 40+ yrs ago. My bucket lists: Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ninh Binh to see all those caves, Sapa, Da Lat, Hue, mien tay area, and HCM. Hope my 1 month tour can cover all those area n give me a great memory. :))
We will be back in Vietnam next year to see the southern region. We really enjoyed our time there and are excited to hear that the visa will be extended to 90 days!! Food is very subjective, we are always ready for our minds to be changed. We plan on spending 4 to 6 weeks in the early spring of 2024. Thank you for the comments!! Cheers!!🍻
Đánh giá của bạn thật khách quan, tuy nhiên có một điều tôi cần đính chính về thức ăn, người Việt Nam rất chú trọng về độ tươi mới của nguyên liệu nên họ cho ít gia vị để không át mùi thực phẩm, nhiều quán ăn chế biến nhiều món ngon nhưng gia vị rất nhiều để đánh lừa thực khách không nhận biết đó là thực phẩm đông lạnh. Thức ăn Việt Nam thanh đạm bạn sẽ thấy được vị thơm của thịt cá chứ không phải của gia vị, độ ngon, ngọt của thịt, cá, tôm, cua chứ không phải độ ngọt của đường và ít béo, ít cay thêm rau xanh để tốt cho sức khỏe.
We will be back next spring and will be delighted to re-assess our opinion!! Vietnam is a beautiful country and we will be excited to go back!! Thank you for watching!!
Raw green vegetables is not always healthy. It can be contaminated with germs. Have you wondered why Vietnam has high rate of stomach cancer? Well , virus/bacteria-induced cancer is one factor.
@Quanganh: you truly pointed out the hightlight of Vietnamese foods. Fresh, delight, healthy, balanced in flavors and help improving/ protecting health in each dish. Example: vietnamse always eat Duck meat with Ginger sauce. In eastern medicine, duck meat is cold (yin) ginger is hot (yang) eat them together will balance the food which help digession and upset stomach. Learning this kind of thing is so excited. That is the great way to understand culture of the country.
I’m glad that you both had a wonderful time in Thailand & Vietnam. Both countries have their distinct history, food, places to see and things to do. I like both countries. They are wonderful SEA countries. If you like the night scenes, the red District, the spicy food (I love the curries), the gorgeous beaches, Thailand has them all. On the other hand, if you like the night life, the good food (varieties of mixed East & West blend, i.e bánh mì, good coffee, pho, bun Bo Huế, spring rolls, fresh food in general due to an ample amount of herbs & veggies, etc., untrodden and established beaches, the islands, Bay Area, caves, etc. Due to the fact that Vietnam is less established, there are still a number of places where you can enjoy the natural sceneries, unspoiled beaches & surrounding. I love both countries
We love both countries as well and plan on another month-long return to Vietnam in the spring of 2024. We will be exploring HCMC and the rest of the southern region. Thank you for watching and commenting!! Cheers!!🍻
Thailand recommendation: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do atleast a 1 month if not 3 month island hopping adventure taking in the many little islands up and down the country. And they aren't nearly as touristy as Phuket etc. Island life in Thailand is incredible (outside of Phuket etc)! Ko pi pi, ko lanta, etc
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We are hoping to hit some of this area next year when we return. Cheers 🍻
I like vietnamese food better than thai as there is much more fresh vegetables eaten, the majority of in thailand for thai food is fried and laden with sugary sauces.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. That is interesting - I found the complete opposite. But we do look forward to returning next year and sample much more as I know we barely scratched the surface. Cheers 🍻
Fried food with sugary sauce is just western inflence Thai food. Authentic Thai good has a lots of veggies and spice. Btw, Raw green vegetables is not always healthy. It can be contaminated with germs. Have you wondered why Vietnam has high rate of stomach cancer? Well , virus/bacteria-induced cancer is one factor.
Brilliant video, we are looking forward to our 1st visit to Thailand in December, can’t wait to try the beers you recommend. We did a 17 day cycle trip from Saigon to Hanoi, and experienced so many great experiences on the way. Loved the overnight train journey in standard class watching the water buffalo early morning in the fields! We would recommend Visiting - Tam Thanh Mural Village, Hoi An, a wonderful village, and the locals are extremely friendly. Stayed overnight at Cuc Phuong National Park - waking up listening to the animals was amazing. Safe travels, looking forward to your next video.
Thank you so much! Just got back and had a wonderful time ☺. Thank you so much! We look forward to returning next year and exploring more and will look into some of the areas you mentioned. Cheers 🍻
I have Vietnam on my bucket list to visit but I have been to Thailand 4 times and hoping to do one more visit there. However, I cannot make comparisons until I have visited Vietnam but your videos regarding the pros and cons of Vietnam was very useful and helpful
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. So happy to hear you found it helpful. Vietnam is a great place and we plan to return next year to explore more. Cheers 🍻
If you have time, check out "Shot in the Dark Travel" as they loved Vietnam so much, they kept making visa runs. They did a lot of interesting stuff all over Vietnam and said it was their favorite country. Also "Adventures of A+K" did a great Vietnam series when they chose Vietnam as their first Asian country to visit and said it exceeded their expectations. I know "Flora and Note" enjoyed it (Flora who is a cook or chef said the seafood restaurant they visited in Danang was probably the best thing she ever ate) and they were in Phu Quoc with "2Passports 1Dream" whom were quietly vacationing there even though they were in Vietnam last year. Please do food tours when you're in Vietnam so you can get a better culinary experience. Everyone who's gone on them loved them and it teaches you how to eat the foods properly. I would always suggest foreigners go for things like com tam, bun cha, bun thit nuong, bun bo Hue, bun rieu, nem nuong, banh xeo, banh khot (many are too similar to miniature banh khot so look for ones that are crispy on the outside but creamy in the center), bo ne, bo kho, banh cuon, pho ga tron, etc., as those are great dishes.
Great video guys, My husband and I spent a bit of time in Vietnam and in addition to the Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Hoian…. We really enjoyed Sapa and the beach & night market of Phu Quoc. Would very much recommend these 2 places to visit. Safe travelling!
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Thank you so much for the suggestions, we look forward to returning next year to explore more. Cheers 🍻
Very interesting video comparing what are probably the two most pleasant countries to be assuming you have a bit of money. I am from NYC but living in Vietnam with my wife for thirty years having first come by way of Thailand in 1988. We have been to Thailand many times and love it there as well. Note that northern Vietnam including Hanoi has much cooler winter months and so be careful if looking for tropical weather. I think there are many super flavorful food options in Vietnam that you are missing out on if eating much bánh mi and pho but honestly speaking I myself really like Thai and also Indian food which can be found here. We live in a normal neighborhood close to the center of Saigon where there are plenty of 7-11s and many other franchise places like Family Mart. The weather in Saigon is truly tropical all year with pleasant dry weather all of the winter months and with rainy season all summer and fall but like you mentioned usually afternoon deluges of about an hour or two and with most mornings pleasantly sunny. Hard to believe now but I have not been out of Vietnam in nearly four years but look forward to another trip to Phuket (Thailand) which is so beautiful.
We will be back in Vietnam next year and look forward to spending time in Saigon. We are happy to hear that the visa will be extended to 90 days by then!!! Thank you for watching and commenting!! Cheers!!🍻
Hi from Vietnam. It is a very interesting video to watch. Thank you for sharing with us Just a quick update about Visa for Vietnam. Yes you are right. The government has officially approved 3 month staying for e visa tourists and you can enter/leave as many times as you need. Many years back when Thailand had already been a hot spot for tourists around the world, Vietnam was still shutting it doors after the war. Thailand has been ahead of Vietnam for many years. That is not an excuse for Vietnam but it actually takes time to establish a professional tourism industry throughout the country. Vietnam has a starting point much later and hopefully they will catch up with their neighbours. Convenient store is not a traditional thing in many South East Asian countries and was introduced to Vietnam way later than Thailand. 7eleven is not really popular in Vietnam compared to Vinmart and Circle K. Vinmart convenient stores can be easily found in many cities in Vietnam. It is owned by a Vietnamese consortium. A part from Vinmart, other Japanese and Korean convenient stores are also more popular than 7eleven. They do serve hot or take away food. Vietnam still has a long way to go and lots of things to learn from its neighbouring countries. I know it is hard to have a completely convicing comparison because all comparisons are relative but you have done a good job. 🖒.
As a Vietnamese who has left the country almost 30 years and only come back to visit one in a while, I prefer Vietnam stays the way it was with less convenience stores but more small shops and street vendors. I as well love to go to the traditional markets then visit the supermarket. Those old atmosphere become less and least every time I visit and will completely gone one day. How sad.
Great video as normal thanks. We went to both Thailand and Vietnam before Covid, the only place we didn’t enjoy was SaPa in Vietnam, very uninspiring unless you go trekking 😅 Loved both Vietnam and Thailand also Cambodia and Laos soo good, would highly recommend them both too x
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We are planning to go to Cambodia and Laos next year - we've only heard great things about both. Thanks so much for watching. Cheers 🍻
There are more varieties of food in south Vietnam like Nha Trang and Saigon than north Vietnam. Vietnam is just open to the world and tourism so give it 10 15 more years it’s infrastructure will bypass Thailand. I also like candid comments from Carrie, that’s how you make people improve.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Thank you for the suggestion - we are returning next year and look forward to trying the different food varieties in the southern region. Cheers 🍻
If few years time you think vietham infrastructure could be better then Thailand ..maybe you not looking what Thailand infrastructure is like now..by the time infrastructure in Vietnam is like Thailand, maybe Thailand has develop beyond more then now..Thailand will continue to develop and became hub of Asia as japan and Korea,also remember this. There has far more Thai restaurant and supermarket in global countries then Vietnam.i live here in London..I don't even know where the local viethamese restaurant is..Thai restaurant are everywhere in london and other cities of England.
Hello Mr & Mrs Lovely.. I have had a real problem sleeping lately and it is your fault... My wife and I are only 7 days away from our dream holiday to Thailand and Vietnam and because of your videos we are that excited we can hardly sleep ( Like a kid at Xmas) . We keep looking at your videos for things to do and places to go and if it wasn't for you we wouldn't be going. Keep up the great work ... Jason & Marina x
@@BrianandCarrie Mỗi quốc gia đều có văn hóa riêng Mọi so sánh đều là khập khiễng Vậy xin hỏi 300 triệu người Mỹ ra đường ăn gì mỗi ngày ngoài đồ hộp và Đồ ăn sẵn?
Very interesting video, with regards to the War, I travelled to Vietnam in 96 and it wasn't a problem back then either. I do remember an older man who had been in the VC talking about it when asked by someone in our group. He had no malice only pride when talking about his experience and never made anyone feel uncomfortable. The Vietnamese are the most welcoming people, much like everyone else in SE Asia. With regard to Bangkok transport, we intend to hit the ground running when we arrive. Will be using the train system as much as we can, even from the airport. This is part of the experience we want for the kids to learn as much as they can getting around another country. Will try and use buses also in Phuket.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. We only experienced kindness as well. Great plan in Bangkok, the transport was so easy to navigate. Cheers 🍻
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. Sound like a wonderful trip, we can't wait to return next year to explore more. Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie no worries. Curious, was your cruise to Alaska? Are you going to do a video about your cruise? Keep up the videos, your doing a great job!
I am a Vietnamese and I totally agree with your opinions, we need want to listen to more opinions from everyone to fix problems and to be better. Thank you!
SOunds to me like Thailand is your clear favorite. Anyway the 90 days visa is coming back on 15th of August for anyone who's interested in visiting Vietnam.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We had recently heard this, so great and we look forward to using the longer Visa next year when we return. But you are correct, we loved Thailand ♥ Cheers!!
Well Done, agree with lots of your comments! We are heading back to Vietnam as well this winter to discover the Southern half of the country. They also just announced a 90 day visitor visa!
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. We were so happy to hear about the 90 days Visa as well and can't wait to hear what you think of the Southern half of Vietnam as that is where we are heading next. Cheers 🍻
Thanks Brian and Carrie for another great video. Hue is a great option for you to consider next time you visit in Vietnam. The food there is also more spicy. Hue is vey calm and more affordable than Hanoi. Hue also has a beach, not as nice as Da Nang though. If you prefer beaches, then Quy Nhon, Phang Rang, or Nha Trang also has beautiful beaches and the beaches there are even nicer than Đa Nang. Looking forward to another video 😊
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Thank you so much for the great suggestion. We will be sure to look into Hue when we return next year. Cheers 🍻
I saw the videos from "TheDailyPackers" whom did a great job of going around Hue as most people just go there for a few hours or overnight then leave. Also saw a video from CularTravels a while back where he went on a tour about the war and had one of the best guides in Hue (Hue was basically leveled by American bombs during the war, where much of the Imperial City was bombed out of existence...such a travesty and a crime to humanity to ruin historical sites like that). Also, "Chase and Shelbs" went there and had a great food experience. Hue is known for it's food as it's in the Central region where much of the best foods of Vietnam come from.
I'm Vietnamese and i think people travel to Thailand for some "easylife and pleasing stuff", so that is why Thailand had more services "make tourist dollar". Vietnam is more natural and let the tourist experience what they want from traveling, that aslo the minding and characteristic of Vietnamese. Both have strengs and weaks. Thank you !
What is your pleasing stuff ?? We have proud history and never colonized that is our charm and beautiful temples and palaces , in fact no need to campare with a communist country like Vietnam. WE ARE DIFFERENT AT EVERY LEVEL .
Thanks for the videos my wife and I are visiting 25 new countries (ones neither of us have been to) for 25 years of marriage. We have completed 7 and just booked 10 in the Balkans and I am planning on 8 in Southeast Asia. I have followed you guys for awhile now so thank you for all the work and information.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. That is so awesome and sounds like you have some busy travels ahead. Thank you so much for following along on our travels - safe travels. Cheers 🍻
Having visited both countries a number of times, I totally concur with these findings except to say that VNese street food can be fantastic but it highly depends on locality. I also never had stomach issues eating street food but did so in hotels. Go figure!
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. So happy to hear you found it helpful! We really look forward to returning next year to explore more.
I think the beaches comparison is very biased. The beach in Danang is a city beach and by definition won’t have that tropical feel to it. Vietnam has got amazing beaches if you head for example to Phu Quoc, you would definitely get the vacation white sand beaches experience you are looking for.
FYI, some of the craft beers in Thailand were actually brewed in Vietnam, mainly in Saigon, due to some law in Thailand that makes it illegal to brew small batch of beers, so they went to Saigon and set up the brewhouse there and import the beers back to Thailand.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We heard there were changes in the works, so excited about this! Thanks so much for watching - Cheers beer
Hi from New Zealand! This has been so helpful as have been considering Thailand or Vietnam for a holiday. Sounds like I need to make a plan for both. Interesting hearing about the craft beer scene there as it is a big thing in New Zealand. Cheers and thanks for a very informative video.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Hello in New Zealand!! Being from the Pacific Northwest in the States where Craft Beer is on most street corners - it's always on our radar. Looks like we need to add New Zealand to the list of places to visit 😉
Thank you for the videos. We’ve never done videos but know you’ll put a lot of time and effort into it. Between the military and being fortunate to be able to take some nice vacations we’ve covered a good bit. We’re retiring in a few years and looking forward to full-time travel life. We’re learning from you’ll and just want you to know we appreciate the channel.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. We also loved our time in Da Nang and look forward to visiting Na Trang next year. Cheers 🍻
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Thank you for the suggestion, we will be sure to check that out when we return. Cheers!!
Hi guys, why do you skip Indonesia? I am Indonesian who lives in Lisbon. If you do have plan to Indonesia, try to visit Yogyakarta. I think it's way ore cheaper than Bali. I have a beautiful memory in Ho Chi Minh. If you go to HCM, go to the French restaurant called Le Jardim. I the food is good and it's inexpensive.
You should try Da Lat, in the Central Highlands. Maybe take an Easy Rider tour and travel on the back of a tour guide's motorbike to see places that most tourists would not see. I lived there for 6 years. I was a guide and I have many friends still there. All great guys who speak English, and really know their country and its history. You could even take a tour from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City or anywhere, really. My first tour was from Ho Chi Minh back to Da lat. It was three days and we showed our new friends so much along the way. There's no rushing around, just traveling on motorbikes, where you're free to take as many pictures and videos as you like and enjoy the ride...You ride during the day and stay at a hotel each night, included in the price. The guides take you for dinner, you sleep, and then off again the next morning. Things you will see include: peanut farms, rubber plantations, many waterfalls (of course), weasel coffee farms, mushroom growers, coffee plantations, Vietnam war sites of historic interest, and many other things. It's quite an experience. I too, was not fond of Hanoi. It seems that people get much nicer the further south you travel in Vietnam. I hope that you enjoy your next trip.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Thank you so much for the suggestions, we will look at both of these when we return next year. Cheers 🍻
I’ve only got 3 weeks to explore Thailand with an eye towards retirement. I’m a beach guy not a city guy. Where should I explore and where should I stay. I am anticipating staying a week or less in each place so moving every 4-7 days is doable to maximize the experience. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Love your videos
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise. Thank you to everyone for chiming in and helping. We love Da Nang for the waves, but Koh Samui had such a great chill beach vibe. Thanks so much for watching ☺
Great video's thx for sharing. Been going to Thailand for 20 years and love it. Spent a month in nha Trang Vietnam a few years ago and loved it too. I'll retire over there soon. I want to visit danang and decide between hua hin, Chiang Mai or danang for a home base😊. Thx again !
You are incorrect when you said Vietnamese food is blend. Thai food and Vietnamese food are tasty. These 2 countries have the best and tastiest food in the world. However, VN food is not consistently good everywhere like Thai food. You guys should watch other UA-camr videos to understand.
It was bland maybe because you're not eating the food correctly? Majority of Vietnamese dishes always come with some sort of dipping sauce as a flavor enhancer.
Thai foods are good but what I don’t like is almost all of their foods consist of either coconut milk, turmeric or curry ingredients. Vietnamese foods flavors hit right, not over whelming. It’s also healthy IMO. I’m surprised you guys did not mentioned the coffee and fresh fruit drinks from either country. Vietnam is big on coffee and there are a lot of coffee selections
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. It could be that we are huge fans of the curry and coconut milk dishes that Thai food offers. I enjoyed a fruit smoothie pretty much every day in Thailand, I'm honestly surprised I didn't mention it as well 😉 Cheers!!
Thailand has a tons of food without all ingradients and that you said .I'm thai don't eat spicy food i grow with thai-chinese food, japanese food, india food ,western food.
Thai food have a lot of dishes my friend and just only some of the Thai foods that consist of coconut milk, turmeric and curry ingredients. 100% guarantee.
In Thailand you can find Kuay teaw which is noodle clear soup like Vietnam Pho in every local market. It’s actually easier to find Kuay teaw than Pad Thai. Most foreigner know Tom yam that put coconut milk, but there are another Tom yum with clear soup and no coconut milk.
you are Vietnamese I'm Thai and I don't like anything in Vietnam either. Watching tourism, you know who is number 1 Thai and Vietnamese food Which country do people around the world know more about? Traveling in Thailand is more convenient than Vietnam. 10 times more tourists to Thailand than Vietnam 👌👌👌
Definitely disagree that Thai food is better. Your take on VN food being bland is laughable. VN food is so so flavorful. Thai food is pretty one note. It’s flavorful but it’s very similar to each other. VN has a vast array of different noodle soups, each with its own unique flavor. There are so many different VN dishes on offer from sweet to savory.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. This is definitely a matter of taste and everyone has a varying opinion. Thank goodness there are so many options for everyone to choose which suits them better. Cheers!!
@@BrianandCarrie If you go back, check out the videos that "Shot in the Dark Travel" made there as they found a few good gems - especially the olden day style train ride to the very cool temple. But there's a ton of stuff that a lot of people miss out on in Da Lat like the canyoning, the clay city, coffee farms, etc.
Hello Brian/Carrie, I love your videos and do follow your videos of Asia. You have it right on comparing the two incredible countries in SE Asia. I just wanted to mention that Thailand has a leg up on Vietnam because the people have a different mindset. You aren't likely to get scammed or taken advantage of in comparison to Vietnam. A perfect example is if you leave your things alone you are likely to get it back in Thailand whereas you will get taken in Vietnam. Thai's believe in Karma compared to Vietnamese, lol. Beers and seafood goes to Vietnam but food/massages goes to Thailand. Accommodations is definitely Vietnam but transportation goes to Thailand. Now that you've seen both amazing countries, give Laos and Cambodia a try so you can be taken back 30yrs in time. Btw, Lao beer is the best in Asia. This would be an adventure beyond your comfort zone but a life experience you'll never forget. Hope to follow more of your adventures, take care, cheers 🙏.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Both countries have so much to offer and we loved both. Brian did leave an expensive pair of sunglasses at a beach bar in Vietnam and we were so pleasantly surprised to have them waiting for us the next morning - something less likely to happen in the States!! We plan to visit Laos and Cambodia next year, all we've heard are wonderful things. Thanks so much for watching!! Cheers 🍻
That's weird. I find Thailand much more touristy and therefore scam heavy than Vietnam. I feel like a normal customer in Vietnam whereas in Thailand, I feel like a big giant tourist ready to be taken advantage of... For example, the cabs... In Thailand, good luck getting anyone to use a meter. They'll give you a personal price. Vietnam has it's thieves but there's no real organized or ingrained tourist theft going on. Happens, but not that much.
Another great video! I do have to recommend going to Laos if you get a chance. We flew to Udon Thani Thailand and crossed the bridge to Vientiane and spent a few days there. Then we took a shuttle to Vang Vieng. Then on to Luang Probang which is probably my favorite town in Asia. Beer was literally cheaper than water 10 years ago. Great food, very scenic and interesting, the river trip to the budha cave is worthwhile. You are a long ways from anywhere though so we took kind of a pricey flight to Chiang Ma, $250 I think at the time. Look into it, the French food and influence was really cool
We plan on heading back to SE Asia next year and Laos as well as Cambodia, the Philippines, and Indonesia is on our list. Until then we will be back in Europe!! Thank you for the recommendations! Cheers!!🍻
We liked Da Nang and An Bang beaches. Hoi An and HCM (Saigon) were both great. Hanoi felt too cramped and not clean. We would go back to Vietnam. Vietnamese love Americans.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We look forward to exploring the southern areas of Vietnam next year when we return, many of the places you mentioned are on the list. Cheers 🍻
Very nice video🎉 we are planning to spend our holiday in there but we were not sure which country, that was really nice to hear opinions from a couple 😊😊
There were a few people in the customs line that did not know about the visa. We have learned to always check before leaving. Enjoy Vietnam!! Beautiful country!
Just finished up 18 days in Thailand and LOVED it! We enjoyed the beach vibe in Phi Phi and Phuket along with the green lush mountain vibe of Chiang Mai- all amazing for different reasons. Looking to head back to Southeast Asia again in March. If we loved those places, can you recommend places we might enjoy in Vietnam (or anywhere) that would give us both of those very different vibes? Also- are affordable massages as available in Vietnam?
We went to Da Nang and really enjoyed it. We have videos on what we did in the area. The massages are available in Vietnam as well!!! Thank you for watching our channel!! 😊
You guys are such a fantastic resource for every place you go! Thanks for sharing such awesome info and experiences with us. It’s always a pleasure to see you both! 😊
Just love watching your blog. I just visited Thailand in April 2023. I am so ready to permanently retire in Thailand & South Korea, but I'm stuck at home Seattle like being in prison because of my commitment to caring for my elder parents. It's a DAILY frustration & feels like I'm dying because I can't leave for permanent retiring.
We’ve been to Thailand and Vietnam we love both countries perhaps you should consider Laos and Cambodia they both are worth a visit love the videos happy travels🍺🍺
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We are planning to go to Cambodia and Laos next year - we've only heard great things about both. Thanks so much for watching. Cheers 🍻
Thanks again for the informative video. Both countries are places that I have not been. Having seen your video and others, I certainly have added Thailand to the list of places to go. Vietnam was an unknown, and my entire experience for it was with the various movies about the War there, and the informative documentary from Ken Burns (excellent!). So thanks for the comparison on numerous categories. You ably show that you don't have to hostel and eat rice alone to travel full time and have comfort, and keeping your own standards. Enjoy your home time and I look forward to hearing about your next adventures. Happy Independence Day!
Hi Guys great video thank you, both countries are on our list to visit. What time of the year were you there and how did you find the heat/humidity? We would love to check out the Air BNBs you stayed at if you wouldn’t mind tagging them. Happy travels 😊
Hi Steve! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We were in these areas from January to April. The humidity didn't get bad until March, but it was consistently quite hot. From what we are hearing, the heat and humidity are just something that comes with traveling in these locations, some months being a bit less. The Airbnb's we stayed in are linked in the description for the video in the specific area you are looking. Cheers!!
I don’t like videos comparing countries. Vietnam and Thailand are their own unique countries that have their own distinct languages, histories and politics. Even the food is really different and nuanced even though they share the some same ingredients. I think this is a very narrow minded view point to ask the question which countries are better. Just appreciate each country for what it is and don’t minimize countries by comparing them just because to you they seem the similar or share the same geographical region.
welcome, very happy with your sharing and comparison about VIETNAM, and THAILAND, hope you will come back to VIETNAM soon, explore more destinations, nature, and beaches very beautiful , as well as the highlands , and especially the Vietnamese people , are very friendly and hospitable , hope you will have many good memories in VIETNAM .
Great review info. I am originally from Vietnam when i was young. I had been back to Vietnam and visited Thailand also. Your infos are very helpful. One suggestion is to call Saigon instead. People love your even more. :) Thanks for the info.
If you love Thailand, you will have fun in Vietnam too. If you like Vietnam, you will love Thailand too. Easy and have fun with both beautiful country ❤️
Please tell us more about the actual costs and prices. It would be very helpful. You were missing out on the foods in Vietnam. It was always your choice to get spicy hot peppers and hot sauce on your foods. I like your shared info on Thailand very much. Thank you very much for your candid comparison!!
We have monthly cost of living videos from each country that we visit including Thailand and Vietnam. Go to our main page and click the videos tab to find them. Thank you for watching! Cheers!
Hi Mike! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We have Cambodia and Laos on the list to visit next year when we return. Can't wait!! Cheers 🍻
Having been to both countries, i can say Vietnam is absolutely amazing. It has the best people. Very organized. Very cultured. You don't have to worry about getting scammed. And people are extremely cooperative.. The only thing Thailand is better at is the food variety.
My opinion: Food - Vietnam hands down. I love Thai food too but Vietnamese food to me offer a bit more compared to Thai or Chinese. Infrastructure- Thailand Healthcare- Thailand Affordability- (in big cities if you go out) Thailand English speaking- Vietnam (I feel generally Vietnamese will understand better than Thai) Friendliness- Both Conclusion: I say Thailand
Hi Brian & Carrie, we have recently started to watch your videos as we were trying to find out about Thailand. We liked your videos and the details that you provide with unbiased views and from your personal experience... besides the fact that Brian reminds me of myself (I just need beer all the time :P) but yeah I really like that you guys show the prices of it wherever you go... as for me it a huge deal breaker TBH :) will catch up soon some time later..until then, ciao!
Happy to hear you find our videos helpful. We like sharing costs cause that was something we looked for when we were first planning our travels. Cheers!!
I'm Vietnamese and I think vacations in Thailand are better than Vietnam. Although Vietnam still has beautiful beaches and landscapes like : Nhatrang, Qui Nhon, ConDao, MuiNe, DaLat.... Love Thailand from Vietnam ❤
@@nguyenkhue4021 Most get it wrong. think that Thai economy depends on tourism But in reality, before COVID GDP, tourism accounted for 16% of GDP and after COVID (last year 2022) it was only 6% of GDP.
@@e-hoirossukon6581 And that's why Thai's economy is slowing down. 6% but it's not included the drugs and prostitution services, if you add it in it becomes much more
@@nguyenkhue4021 just like vietnam Including the service charges for Vietnamese prostitutes in barbershops and smuggled into Thailand. Vietnam's economy should be able to afford your domestic gas and electricity bills.
What a fantastic video, loved your observations, iv just seen a comment already that says they’re similar but different, it’s a difficult thing to describe. I agree with MOST of your comments except I’ll fight any man who says that a Bahn Mi isn’t the best food on the planet and that Witch Piss Chaing is better than Leo 😆 That’s any man apart from Brian obviously (looks a big fella) We did laugh because when we were in Hanoi we said exactly the same thing if you hadn’t had your senses already numbed by S E Asia it would be totally overwhelming. It’s our favourite place now and we’ve booked to go back again pretty much as soon as we landed. I could keep going for hours - great vid - look forward to seeing you in HCMC. One thing we did which was THE best thing iv ever done and would definitely recommend was a motorcycle food tour - the adrenaline going through Saigon on the back of a bike in that madhouse 👍 Cheers to you both 🍺🍺
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Ha ha, Bahn Mi's were great, but we just reached our limit 😉. Brian is going to hold strong on Chang, but he's not a fighting kind of guy either. We will check out the motorcycle food tour next year when we visit Vietnam again. Thanks so much for watching!! Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie the motorcycle food tour is the best thing iv ever done - the adrenaline is mad - if we’d not already booked it no way would we have done it when we got there ! Look forward to watching 👍 cheers 🍺
Great vlog, guys. As for Vietnam and Thailand, I have wanted to go to Vietnam for years of trips to the region, but, I really didn't want to deal with getting a visa for staying a few days in Vietnam and at first the cost was $50, but due to the uproar over the price some years ago, it dropped to $25 for U.S. citizens. I'm in the region for 6 weeks and Vietnam would have been only a few days during that 6-week period as I'm in Bangkok for 3 weeks of the 6. In the rest of the region where I go, applying for a visa has never been required over the last 2-plus decades of travel. As for water in Thailand, I try to stay away from tap water. There is plenty of bottled water there. I have gotten sick from tap water in the past. My Thai friends have even mentioned to not drink unfiltered tap water. One can buy big bottles of filtered water. As for hot and spicy food, hot food brings down the body temperature in hot weather.. Our heads regulate body temperatures and sweating brings down the body temperature. As for fish and fish allergies, folks with them need to be very careful as to what they eat. There's fish sauce in a lot of dishes in Thailand and other places in Southeast Asia, even in some vegetable dishes. Thank goodness I don't have a fish allergy, but a sibling does. As for transportation in Bangkok, yes, it's great due to both the Skytrain-BTS (Dec 1999) and the metro subway systems-MRT (2004). However, it was beyond a mess before those systems were built as back in the day it could take half an hour to go one long block in a taxi. I used to get out of taxis mid-way to my destination and walk the rest of the way. Or not take a taxi and just walk, like from the river area, where my dressmaker is located, and all the way to where the Siam Skytrain BTS station is now, the distance of 3.5 km./2.2 miles. As for the cost of Thailand, it depends on what country one is coming from. When the U.S. dollar is fluctuating, then Thailand can get more expensive. It's no longer the days of 40 baht to a U.S. dollar. Back when the dollar had fallen, but the euro was really high, then it was cheap for those from euro countries. Now that the U.S. dollar and euro are about the same, it's more expensive for those with euros compared to back when the euro was really high. But, overall, I feel that Thailand is inexpensive as there is such a vast variety of levels of accommodations and also food and food is never a problem as there's plenty of it. Thais love to eat. Greetings from Los Angeles
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. Some great points - thank you so much for watching and your continued support. Cheers 🍻
In my opinion there is nothing wrong about the Tap water here my friend because how we made tap water here is the same way as in the big city around the world as in the US or in Europe as the informations from the World Health organization(WHO) since very long time ago but here in Thailand people do not drink the Tap water because the water have to go through many old pipes and that's made the Tap water have very low Quality and it's the same problem all around the world because if you ever saw and old pipe you'll understand what I meant and why the Thai chose to buy to drink and while we Thai could buy very cheap water here so noone want to drink the Tap water if you are from the west you'd known that sometimes the taste from the Tap water are unacceptable, most of my Thai friends who lived in the states they used to buy water to drink too because the Tap water their always have very weird taste or sometimes not clear. But when foreigners ask the Thai and most of them said do not drink the Tap water it is because water here is very cheap noone drink Tap water and they just misunderstood and thought that the water here is not clean or toxic but it's not my friend and it is because there are a lot of tourists came to Thailand and when they heard the Thai said do not drink then many of them came here and they posted on internet to give the information to another tourist that's water here is not drinkable but it's not my friend, all Thai people still used Tap water to clean everything and use the Water Purifier at home when they want to drink to lower the risk when the water have to pass all those old pipes to your home. One of my foreigners asked me too because he really do not understand that here in Bangkok there are a lot of skyscrapers but why just a stupid little things like Tap water do not exist and I had to told him that hope it will never exist while we can buy a very cheap fresh bottle of water from everywhere you go I just hope the price here not goes up otherwise we probably have to drink those Tap water too.
@@onalonan The bottom line is that I and others have had sickness problems with unfiltered tap water in Bangkok and Thailand in general over 20-plus years of going there and thus avoid tap water as much as possible no matter what the tons of reasons might be regarding the tap water situation. To each his own. Either drink it or don't drink it. Greetings from Los Angeles
Great video!! One thing I would add is that health care is better in Thailand. There are pharmacies everywhere and it's easy to get most things without a prescription. Dental care is excellent and so is massage. Vietnam has the best coffee in Asia, although Chiang Mai is catching up. Also, the Gulf of Thailand is quite sheltered compared to the much more exposed and rainier coast of Vietnam. Da Nang is cooler in January and February, while there isn't much escape from the heat in Thailand except for a very short "winter" in Chiang Mai. Both places are wonderful in their own way. Vietnam is full or ancient and modern history. I'm really enjoying your channel! Have you checked out Hua Hin in Thailand? Much better value than the islands.
We had a full health checkup while in Thailand. We had a great experience, and it was very affordable. We even did a video all about it!! 😁 Thank you for all the insights and adding the channel, Jane.
No doubt about it, folks! 🌟 After my epic escapades through both Thailand and Vietnam, I gotta say, Thailand takes the cake! 🏆 From its jaw-dropping beaches to the lively cities, Thailand has the whole package for every adventurer out there. And let's talk food - oh boy, those Thai flavors are out of this world! 🍛😋 But what really sets it apart is the warm hospitality of the locals, making you feel like you've found your home away from home. 🏡 🌴🇹🇭
Thailand has 10 to 20yrs ahead of Tourism. While Vietnam was struggle after the War. There is no comparison in these two countries. but Vietnam is catching up soon than you think. The foods is depend on what you like. some people like spicy...some are not.
Next time go to Phu Quốc Island in south Vietnam if you’re looking for that tropical beach vacation feels, Nha Trang beach also great too but maybe little similar to Đa Nang beach
Siem Reap, Cambodia -Ankar Wat? I think it's somewhat near Thailand? And very inexpensive for accommodations, etc, at least according to a UA-cam video I just watched. Thanks again for all the great information, very practical and presented in such an easygoing, lighthearted way. Happy Trails😊
Thai food is popular in the US for a reason. It is like say, Italian food, it is found almost everywhere in the US why? because it is great food and it satisfies many different palates. If Vietnamese food were that great, we'd have many more Vietnamese restaurants here in the US. Sounds like the overall prices are a bit cheaper in VN, but food is much better in Thailand. Thank you for this post. I have been to Thailand and plan to visit Vietnam soon. Now I know what to expect.
I personally preferred Vietnamese food for fresh, lighter and healthier reasons. I feel like eating it everyday and wont get tired of it and feel very healthy.. Nevertheless, Vietnamese food is also very mind blowing and amazingly delicious .😢
Interesting video. I do wonder how long you spent in Vietnam if you summed up Vietnamese food as Phở and Bánh Mì. There is so much more! I did see some of that insistent behavior in Đà Lạt night market - one friend called it the "nightmare market." I didn't find it that aggressive but it was...consistent. 😀 I tried to buy a small durian there and the seller tried to sell me one that was not ripe. She split it, I felt it, it was still on the edge of crunchy. I told her and she tried to shame me in front of other people. Then she got mad and said she wouldn't sell to me. I said "yep, you're right." :-) But mostly I had a wonderful time in Vietnam.
As aThai person Vietnam has Dalat city which is heaven on earth , I wish I could live in Dalat ... Speaking of weather and vibe , Dalat is the most pleasant city to live in.... 10-28 c most of days of 365 a year , can be found nowhere!!!! The worst thing of Dalat could be wet and rainy , it one of the most city in entire Asia that receive the rain roughly 3000 millimeters yearly!!!!
Vietnamese food is lighter, fresher, more delicate in flavor so it's not as spicy or heavily flavored such as in Thai (or Lao) foods. The thing about Vietnamese food is the abundance or platters of fresh greens and herbs and all the myriad dips that go with each meal. The food is more interactive and customizable to your palate in that there's a lot of wrapping things up yourself after adding the ingredients you want and then you can add peppers (usually they have at lease one form of pepper present such as fresh, dried, pickled, chili sauce, etc.) or whatnot to make it your own. Thais do have great food, but I think Viets have more variety due to the French and other influences. Thais have had a huge head start on tourism and perfecting their food for tourists vs Vietnam which spent years fighting various countries throughout its history. Keep in mind, the US also placed an embargo on Vietnam so they were handicapped for a long time with the people just scrounging around for food, never mind trying to make a living off tourism. The US also dropped more bombs on their country than all of WWII...so between the bombs, agent Orange, various other poisons to deforest the land, etc., they've had to spend time and resources to rebuild everything whilst Thailand was enjoying life. I think when you look at it from that perspective, it's rather unfair to compare the 2 countries side-by-side.
We enjoyed Vietnamese food very much but to this day prefer Thai food. I think we just both really enjoy the more intense flavors and the heat. I did really enjoy all the wonderful fresh herbs and greens to add to my soup, so tasty 😍
Perfecting their food for tourists?😂 if so why many foreigners say Thai food is too spicy for them( but eat it anyway) Saying Vietnam have more variety of food than Thailand is so funny.
@@vassanab4243 Yes, perfecting their food for tourists palates. I bet when they make papaya salads at home, it's hotter and use of shrimp paste is higher. With that being said, it's possible that their palates have also changed somewhat due to the mass tourism they've catered to for the past 50 years. I was born and spent my younger years in Laos many many moons ago, so I'm familiar with their papaya salad (using them for an example as I cannot recall the Thai one specifically, but I'm pretty sure it was similar back then). It's hot and they go heavy on the shrimp paste and whole crab, something that would scare foreigners whom are not familiar (heck, it scares me when it's made by a real Lao person in the US and it's much stinkier than I'm used to eating when we lived in Laos - but still delicious once you get over the big pieces of crab body parts and the heavy fermented seafood smells). And my family lived in Thailand for a year after leaving Laos. Gary Butler made videos in Vietnam where he's tried peppers at a few places and said how the peppers in Vietnam are hotter than the ones in Thailand. But no, Viets aren't into hot foods like the Laos and Thais. They often have either fresh, dried, pickled, or chili sauce on the table for you to customize the heat for yourself. The Central part of Vietnam where the food is know to be great is where they like heat a bit more than other parts.
I argee about Vietnam foods is blending well with meat & veggies & herbs. Almost every dish have green vegetables!!
But Vietnamese food have nothing to with FRENCH. Stop saying Vietnam food similar or affect by French.
I’m Vietnamese, tell me where & when Vietnam food affect by French??
@@HauTran-sunfromsouthhey dude, do you really believe we invented banh mi and paté? A lot of our dishes are inspired by French cuisine... Before they arrived, we didn't have op la and beefsteak then
Thailand has a more advanced tourism industry and they cater to westerners better because tourism is a big part of their economy. Vietnam caters more to Vietnamese living around the world, and they want to grow their economy by manufacturing and not by tourism. So they may not care as much about what westerners think.
Thailand's manufacturing industry contributes more to their economy than Vietnam's does.
Great video! I recently went to Thailand and Vietnam as well. They were similar but quite different :P I also think Thailand had more food variety and is more to my taste, perhaps I am more used to eating Thai food from being in the US. However, the Vietnamese culture is unbeatable! There are so much history in Vietnam and to see the people living in harmony after going through such tough time doing the war is surreal. Vietnamese people are also the most welcoming no matter where you’re from. I went to so many moms and pops shops, although we don’t speak the same languages, the aunties and uncles always try to take care of you! Love watching how they set up shops in the little ally with big bowls of soup and ingredients! Sitting on the side of the road and eating is another level of experience. Overall I think Thailand is better catered for tourists and their food is better in a sense that it is more known to the rest of the world, but Vietnamese culture is unreal and the controlled chaos is something you can only experience in person 😂 Initially when I got to vietnam I find myself missing Thailand, but after the trip vietnam so all I can think about… but both places are amazing and would definitely go back!
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Agree that both countries have SO much to offer. We loved our time in Vietnam (even though the food wasn't our favorite 😉) and look forward to heading back next year to explore more. Thanks so much for watching. Cheers 🍻
People in Vietnam living in harmony
I think for many Westerners, a food tour in each city is a must as I've seen so many not know how/what to order nor do they know how to eat it properly (eating it wrong doesn't give you the proper flavor profile). Heck, do several food tours with different companies in each of the bigger cities. Tell the tour guides your preferences as far as the types of food you want to try (foreigner-friendly vs adventurous vs local favorites and so on...if you're a texture person and don't like ooey-gooey types of foods like the che buoi (gooey dessert soup with pomelo), let them know. I've seen a lot of food tour videos out of Hanoi that were great. I get a chuckle out of the food tour "Flora and Note" went on, but they did say they told the guide they wanted to eat what the locals eat (which apparently included adventurous stuff), but "Sammy and Tommy", "Adventures of A+K", "This Food Bangz", "TravelHolics", and "MomDuty" had great tours in Hanoi. "Chase and Shelbs" and "The Jo Life" had great ones in HCMC and "Steph and Pete" had an awesome one in Hoi An. I think overall, the best food can be found in Hoi An as it's all concentrated in one tiny area and a lot of the food is from the Central region, which is known for amazing food. I would always suggest foreigners go for things like com tam, bun cha, bun thit nuong, bun bo Hue, bun rieu, nem nuong, banh xeo, banh khot (many are too similar to miniature banh khot so look for ones that are crispy on the outside but creamy in the center), bo ne, bo kho, banh cuon, pho ga tron, etc.
@@BrianandCarrie You sound very obsessed by food and beer lol. For me yes it is important but surely not my priority when visiting a country. The culture, hospitality and things to do are the main things for me. Food is a bonus 🙂.
If you like heavy, deep in favors then Thai food is for you. Keep in my, it also come with high cholesterol. healthy, balance on favors, green and fresh then Vietnamse food if there for you. Don't forget, some part of Vietnam as the central area offer more kick and stronger favor in foods. If you only know Banh My and Pho, then you not really know Vn. There are hundreds kind of soups and thousand dishes. Foods tours in each parts of Vietnam might help to experience foods in different area. Other things as transportation, accommodation as such Vietnam can't complete with Thailand because of long history with wars after wars. For my preference, for foods I will go with Vietnamese foods, but for a place to stay/live I will pick Thailand.
You are right about now knowing about Thai and Vietnam food, and unfortunately you have not tried the many varieties of spicy Vietnamese dishes. Thai is usually very sauce heavy while Vietnamese are fresh herbs and vegetables.
Retired expat from the US lived in Thailand the past five years.
Good video. Never had a craft beer there; bottle of Chang costs about $1.
Lived in Phuket 4 1/2 years. Was awesome. Left in November, got too crowded.
Been to Vietnam a bunch of times. Love Hanoi, so much energy. Yup, a bit noisy. Great to walk around. Try the Hai Giang Loop motorcycle tour. North of Hanoi. Awesome!!
Going back end of July, one week in Hanoi, two weeks in Danang. Then the month of November in Danang. Entire apt for the month for $330.
People in both countries great. Haven't missed the US for a minute!!
Big cities in usa are going down the toilet!!!
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. Sounds like you've explored quite a bit! We were so happy with the incredibly affordable cost of living. Thanks so much for watching! Cheers 🍻
Im Vietnamese, I hope our Gorvement taxes smoke & alcohol at least 3 times more!!
If VIETNAM GORVEMENT EVER RAISE TAXES ON SMOKE & ALCOHOL 3Times. I swear I will go to DOWNTOWN WWITH BANROLL PROTEST 🪧 SAYING THANKS VIETNAM COMMUNIST Lolz 😅😅😅 no joke
I’m Vietnamese but never smoke & never drinks.
But my brother is heavy smoke, he used 1 pack for everyday & it burn it organ lungs 🫁
He’s also like alcohol wine & beer. He’s working but every weekend when he’s relax, meeting friend is all about eating & drink beer or wine. Its cultures & lifestyle for mostly man in vietnam.
THIS IS THE ONLY THING I HATE & DONT LIKE IN VIETNAM.
1$ for beer is cheap. PLEASE HEAVY TAXES ON BEER FOR 2$/1 beer & TAXES ON SMOKE AT LEAST 5X MORE EXPENSIVE SO PPL WILL DROP TO USED IT!!
It should be 15-20$/pack of smoke.
I’m gonna go protest TO THANKFUL GORVEMENT IF THEYRE DID THIS.
I care fk about smoker addict. They can’t stop smoke by themselves because they’re addict to smoke & it cheap affordable.
SO ONLY TAXES IT TILL IT CRAZY EXPENSIVE OUT IT WILL MAKE THEM BROKEN THEN CANT BUY CIGARETTES 🚬 TO SMOKES. That’s only solotion
Because your US dollars are superior when exchanged for Southeast Asian currency, so you guys live like kings in these countries.
In Bangkok that bottle of Chang will be about $3. The perfect beer for that climate.
I did a 6 month tour of SE Asia last year (Jan to June 2022).
Spent a good chunk of it in Thailand but also did 30 days in Vietnam as well.
I highly recommend if you are going back to Vietnam to try HMC, Nha Trang, Mekong Delta, Sa Pa, Phong Nha Caves and Mai Chau.
In Thailand I highly recommend Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai and border with Laos) Sokhothai is worth checking out as well.
Nha Trang is wonderful
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺.
Thank you so much for the great suggestions. We are planning to return next year and had many of these on the list to visit. Thanks so much for watching! Cheers 🍻
@@oldfartsadventuređi😂🎉❤
You should have stayed a whole year in Vn.
@@christophertran8153 If could have stayed longer I would have BUT I arrive literally 2 weeks after they reopened the country and maximum stay was a 30 day visa.
Vietnam just voted on the 90 day visa! I think it will start in August? Thanks for sharing your overall thoughts, you two do an excellent job at communicating the essential things to know in each destination 👍🏻👍🏻
We just heard that a few days ago, so excited about that. Thank you so much for watching 😊
Welcome to Vietnam
Nice video and insights. Food taste will always be subjective, of course. I have been in Vietnam for a few months, and have noticed big differences between restaurants, depending on where they are. For example, I went to a noodle shop in Hoi An (high tourist concentration) that was highly rated on Google. The noodles were okay, but they didn't bring out any chile other spices and salad/vegetables, which you will always find on the tables of more local restaurants. I am guessing that they are catering to more cautious eaters, and kind of assume that foreigners can only tolerate bland food. At a typical, local Vietnamese restaurant, there is plenty of chile, lime and spice to add yourself, according to your preference. I kind of like this because compared to Thailand, I have control over how spicy my meal will be. I encourage people to wander out (no need to go far) and find hole-in-the-wall restaurants, that have more flavor, and which are MUCH cheaper, as well. You can get big bowls of delicious, flavorful noodles for about USD $1. I have eaten like this for months, and have never been sick, by the way. Enjoy your adventures!
We are looking forward to getting back to Vietnam next year. We may change our minds!!! 😀 Thank you for watching and adding the comments!
Cheers!!
More control I like it
I lived in Vietnam for three years and I've been to Thailand at least 20 times. They are two of my favorite places in the world. I think your take on them is pretty accurate. There are a lot of things to see and do in HCMC when you go back. There are also a lot of food items in Vietnam that aren't as famous as in Thailand, but they might change your mind about which country has the better food (or not). When you go back, definitely go to Cambodia. It's amazing!
Cambodia is just beautiful. Angkor Wat is a must see. First went to Cambodia 2012 and back again in 2019 and the change in Phnom Penh was really quite sad and I didn't feel safe there as I was previously.
Lots of poverty, street crime (Bag snatches etc), Drug use and homelessness
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We look forward to exploring the southern areas of Vietnam next year as well as Cambodia and Laos. Thanks so much for watching!!
Cambodia now more becomes China.
I went to Vietnam from March 21 to April 12, 2024. My Vietnamese travel agent in California was able to secure a 5 year multiple entry visas for my whole family with 180 consecutive day limits which would then only need a 24 hour exit from Vietnam and allowed to re-enter for another 180 days.
Would you please provide the contact information of this travel agent?
How much?
The 5 years Visa is only for Vietnamese expats and family members or married ect...
I just did a visa for my American friends. The travel agent that did the visa told me that american or none vietnamese can only get the 5 years visa only if you are married to a Vietnamese spouse. I was able to get myself a 5 years visa since I’m Vietnamese but my none American friends couldnt. I cant wait to tour VN next year. Have not visit VN since I left the country 40+ yrs ago. My bucket lists: Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ninh Binh to see all those caves, Sapa, Da Lat, Hue, mien tay area, and HCM. Hope my 1 month tour can cover all those area n give me a great memory. :))
We really enjoyed the island of Phu Quoc. It is nice to have a quieter stretch of days at the beach in contrast to the noise of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.
We will be back in Vietnam next year to see the southern region. We really enjoyed our time there and are excited to hear that the visa will be extended to 90 days!! Food is very subjective, we are always ready for our minds to be changed. We plan on spending 4 to 6 weeks in the early spring of 2024. Thank you for the comments!!
Cheers!!🍻
Đánh giá của bạn thật khách quan, tuy nhiên có một điều tôi cần đính chính về thức ăn, người Việt Nam rất chú trọng về độ tươi mới của nguyên liệu nên họ cho ít gia vị để không át mùi thực phẩm, nhiều quán ăn chế biến nhiều món ngon nhưng gia vị rất nhiều để đánh lừa thực khách không nhận biết đó là thực phẩm đông lạnh. Thức ăn Việt Nam thanh đạm bạn sẽ thấy được vị thơm của thịt cá chứ không phải của gia vị, độ ngon, ngọt của thịt, cá, tôm, cua chứ không phải độ ngọt của đường và ít béo, ít cay thêm rau xanh để tốt cho sức khỏe.
We will be back next spring and will be delighted to re-assess our opinion!! Vietnam is a beautiful country and we will be excited to go back!! Thank you for watching!!
Raw green vegetables is not always healthy. It can be contaminated with germs. Have you wondered why Vietnam has high rate of stomach cancer? Well , virus/bacteria-induced cancer is one factor.
@Quanganh: you truly pointed out the hightlight of Vietnamese foods. Fresh, delight, healthy, balanced in flavors and help improving/ protecting health in each dish. Example: vietnamse always eat Duck meat with Ginger sauce. In eastern medicine, duck meat is cold (yin) ginger is hot (yang) eat them together will balance the food which help digession and upset stomach. Learning this kind of thing is so excited. That is the great way to understand culture of the country.
The coffee in Vietnam cannot be topped anywhere! That’s my biggest difference
I’m glad that you both had a wonderful time in Thailand & Vietnam. Both countries have their distinct history, food, places to see and things to do. I like both countries. They are wonderful SEA countries. If you like the night scenes, the red District, the spicy food (I love the curries), the gorgeous beaches, Thailand has them all. On the other hand, if you like the night life, the good food (varieties of mixed East & West blend, i.e bánh mì, good coffee, pho, bun Bo Huế, spring rolls, fresh food in general due to an ample amount of herbs & veggies, etc., untrodden and established beaches, the islands, Bay Area, caves, etc. Due to the fact that Vietnam is less established, there are still a number of places where you can enjoy the natural sceneries, unspoiled beaches & surrounding. I love both countries
We love both countries as well and plan on another month-long return to Vietnam in the spring of 2024. We will be exploring HCMC and the rest of the southern region. Thank you for watching and commenting!!
Cheers!!🍻
Thailand recommendation: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do atleast a 1 month if not 3 month island hopping adventure taking in the many little islands up and down the country. And they aren't nearly as touristy as Phuket etc. Island life in Thailand is incredible (outside of Phuket etc)! Ko pi pi, ko lanta, etc
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We are hoping to hit some of this area next year when we return. Cheers 🍻
I like vietnamese food better than thai as there is much more fresh vegetables eaten, the majority of in thailand for thai food is fried and laden with sugary sauces.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺.
That is interesting - I found the complete opposite. But we do look forward to returning next year and sample much more as I know we barely scratched the surface. Cheers 🍻
Fried food with sugary sauce is just western inflence Thai food. Authentic Thai good has a lots of veggies and spice. Btw, Raw green vegetables is not always healthy. It can be contaminated with germs. Have you wondered why Vietnam has high rate of stomach cancer? Well , virus/bacteria-induced cancer is one factor.
Brilliant video, we are looking forward to our 1st visit to Thailand in December, can’t wait to try the beers you recommend. We did a 17 day cycle trip from Saigon to Hanoi, and experienced so many great experiences on the way. Loved the overnight train journey in standard class watching the water buffalo early morning in the fields! We would recommend Visiting - Tam Thanh Mural Village, Hoi An, a wonderful village, and the locals are extremely friendly. Stayed overnight at Cuc Phuong National Park - waking up listening to the animals was amazing. Safe travels, looking forward to your next video.
Thank you so much! Just got back and had a wonderful time ☺. Thank you so much! We look forward to returning next year and exploring more and will look into some of the areas you mentioned. Cheers 🍻
I have Vietnam on my bucket list to visit but I have been to Thailand 4 times and hoping to do one more visit there. However, I cannot make comparisons until I have visited Vietnam but your videos regarding the pros and cons of Vietnam was very useful and helpful
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. So happy to hear you found it helpful. Vietnam is a great place and we plan to return next year to explore more. Cheers 🍻
If you have time, check out "Shot in the Dark Travel" as they loved Vietnam so much, they kept making visa runs. They did a lot of interesting stuff all over Vietnam and said it was their favorite country. Also "Adventures of A+K" did a great Vietnam series when they chose Vietnam as their first Asian country to visit and said it exceeded their expectations. I know "Flora and Note" enjoyed it (Flora who is a cook or chef said the seafood restaurant they visited in Danang was probably the best thing she ever ate) and they were in Phu Quoc with "2Passports 1Dream" whom were quietly vacationing there even though they were in Vietnam last year. Please do food tours when you're in Vietnam so you can get a better culinary experience. Everyone who's gone on them loved them and it teaches you how to eat the foods properly. I would always suggest foreigners go for things like com tam, bun cha, bun thit nuong, bun bo Hue, bun rieu, nem nuong, banh xeo, banh khot (many are too similar to miniature banh khot so look for ones that are crispy on the outside but creamy in the center), bo ne, bo kho, banh cuon, pho ga tron, etc., as those are great dishes.
Great video guys,
My husband and I spent a bit of time in Vietnam and in addition to the Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Hoian…. We really enjoyed Sapa and the beach & night market of Phu Quoc. Would very much recommend these 2 places to visit.
Safe travelling!
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺.
Thank you so much for the suggestions, we look forward to returning next year to explore more. Cheers 🍻
For indians Vietnam visa costs less than half of Thailand. But massage is much cheaper in Thailand. But family can opt for Vietnam
Very interesting video comparing what are probably the two most pleasant countries to be assuming you have a bit of money. I am from NYC but living in Vietnam with my wife for thirty years having first come by way of Thailand in 1988. We have been to Thailand many times and love it there as well. Note that northern Vietnam including Hanoi has much cooler winter months and so be careful if looking for tropical weather. I think there are many super flavorful food options in Vietnam that you are missing out on if eating much bánh mi and pho but honestly speaking I myself really like Thai and also Indian food which can be found here. We live in a normal neighborhood close to the center of Saigon where there are plenty of 7-11s and many other franchise places like Family Mart. The weather in Saigon is truly tropical all year with pleasant dry weather all of the winter months and with rainy season all summer and fall but like you mentioned usually afternoon deluges of about an hour or two and with most mornings pleasantly sunny. Hard to believe now but I have not been out of Vietnam in nearly four years but look forward to another trip to Phuket (Thailand) which is so beautiful.
We will be back in Vietnam next year and look forward to spending time in Saigon. We are happy to hear that the visa will be extended to 90 days by then!!! Thank you for watching and commenting!!
Cheers!!🍻
Hi from Vietnam. It is a very interesting video to watch. Thank you for sharing with us Just a quick update about Visa for Vietnam. Yes you are right. The government has officially approved 3 month staying for e visa tourists and you can enter/leave as many times as you need.
Many years back when Thailand had already been a hot spot for tourists around the world, Vietnam was still shutting it doors after the war. Thailand has been ahead of Vietnam for many years. That is not an excuse for Vietnam but it actually takes time to establish a professional tourism industry throughout the country. Vietnam has a starting point much later and hopefully they will catch up with their neighbours. Convenient store is not a traditional thing in many South East Asian countries and was introduced to Vietnam way later than Thailand. 7eleven is not really popular in Vietnam compared to Vinmart and Circle K. Vinmart convenient stores can be easily found in many cities in Vietnam. It is owned by a Vietnamese consortium. A part from Vinmart, other Japanese and Korean convenient stores are also more popular than 7eleven. They do serve hot or take away food. Vietnam still has a long way to go and lots of things to learn from its neighbouring countries. I know it is hard to have a completely convicing comparison because all comparisons are relative but you have done a good job. 🖒.
Thank you so much for the comments! We are looking forward to returning to Vietnam early spring of 2024.
As a Vietnamese who has left the country almost 30 years and only come back to visit one in a while, I prefer Vietnam stays the way it was with less convenience stores but more small shops and street vendors. I as well love to go to the traditional markets then visit the supermarket. Those old atmosphere become less and least every time I visit and will completely gone one day. How sad.
Great video as normal thanks. We went to both Thailand and Vietnam before Covid, the only place we didn’t enjoy was SaPa in Vietnam, very uninspiring unless you go trekking 😅 Loved both Vietnam and Thailand also Cambodia and Laos soo good, would highly recommend them both too x
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We are planning to go to Cambodia and Laos next year - we've only heard great things about both. Thanks so much for watching. Cheers 🍻
There are more varieties of food in south Vietnam like Nha Trang and Saigon than north Vietnam. Vietnam is just open to the world and tourism so give it 10 15 more years it’s infrastructure will bypass Thailand. I also like candid comments from Carrie, that’s how you make people improve.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Thank you for the suggestion - we are returning next year and look forward to trying the different food varieties in the southern region. Cheers 🍻
If few years time you think vietham infrastructure could be better then Thailand ..maybe you not looking what Thailand infrastructure is like now..by the time infrastructure in Vietnam is like Thailand, maybe Thailand has develop beyond more then now..Thailand will continue to develop and became hub of Asia as japan and Korea,also remember this. There has far more Thai restaurant and supermarket in global countries then Vietnam.i live here in London..I don't even know where the local viethamese restaurant is..Thai restaurant are everywhere in london and other cities of England.
@@AnuchaKanyakamin good for Thailand. I like both foods.
Hello Mr & Mrs Lovely..
I have had a real problem sleeping lately and it is your fault... My wife and I are only 7 days away from our dream holiday to Thailand and Vietnam and because of your videos we are that excited we can hardly sleep ( Like a kid at Xmas) .
We keep looking at your videos for things to do and places to go and if it wasn't for you we wouldn't be going.
Keep up the great work ...
Jason & Marina x
You two will have a fantastic time!! Thank you so much for watching and safe travels!!❤
For me Thailand wins hands down. Actually travelled to many other SE Asian countries and Thailand for me is far superior than all others.
Thailand is easy to like for sure. Food, culture, and beaches!!
HCMC FAR NICER THEN BK
Một đất nước sử dụng Tình Dục, Cờ Bạc , Cần Sa để phát triển Du lịch thì có gì là tự hào?
@@BrianandCarrie
Mỗi quốc gia đều có văn hóa riêng
Mọi so sánh đều là khập khiễng
Vậy xin hỏi 300 triệu người Mỹ ra đường ăn gì mỗi ngày ngoài đồ hộp và Đồ ăn sẵn?
@@TienLe-o5bNhột à😂😂
Very interesting video, with regards to the War, I travelled to Vietnam in 96 and it wasn't a problem back then either. I do remember an older man who had been in the VC talking about it when asked by someone in our group. He had no malice only pride when talking about his experience and never made anyone feel uncomfortable. The Vietnamese are the most welcoming people, much like everyone else in SE Asia.
With regard to Bangkok transport, we intend to hit the ground running when we arrive. Will be using the train system as much as we can, even from the airport. This is part of the experience we want for the kids to learn as much as they can getting around another country. Will try and use buses also in Phuket.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. We only experienced kindness as well. Great plan in Bangkok, the transport was so easy to navigate. Cheers 🍻
January is booked for Thailand with 4 stops, February is booked for Vietnam with 2 stops, and back to Thailand for march in Pattaya. Can’t wait!
@JamesWynnReal we will be in pattaya on our first trip and booked a hotel for the week we will be there
@JamesWynnReal I was in Thailand for a month in January and I was there solo, but this trip I’m bringing the wife
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. Sound like a wonderful trip, we can't wait to return next year to explore more. Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie no worries. Curious, was your cruise to Alaska? Are you going to do a video about your cruise? Keep up the videos, your doing a great job!
We did a Caribbean cruise with the family and decided not to do a video.
I am a Vietnamese and I totally agree with your opinions, we need want to listen to more opinions from everyone to fix problems and to be better. Thank you!
We love Vietnam and the kindness of the people. We hope to be back in the next few years to see so much more.
SOunds to me like Thailand is your clear favorite.
Anyway the 90 days visa is coming back on 15th of August for anyone who's interested in visiting Vietnam.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We had recently heard this, so great and we look forward to using the longer Visa next year when we return. But you are correct, we loved Thailand ♥ Cheers!!
Well Done, agree with lots of your comments! We are heading back to Vietnam as well this winter to discover the Southern half of the country. They also just announced a 90 day visitor visa!
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. We were so happy to hear about the 90 days Visa as well and can't wait to hear what you think of the Southern half of Vietnam as that is where we are heading next. Cheers 🍻
Thanks Brian and Carrie for another great video. Hue is a great option for you to consider next time you visit in Vietnam. The food there is also more spicy. Hue is vey calm and more affordable than Hanoi. Hue also has a beach, not as nice as Da Nang though. If you prefer beaches, then Quy Nhon, Phang Rang, or Nha Trang also has beautiful beaches and the beaches there are even nicer than Đa Nang. Looking forward to another video 😊
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺.
Thank you so much for the great suggestion. We will be sure to look into Hue when we return next year. Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrietôi đã đăng kí kênh của bạn để theo dõi bạn đến Việt Nam vào năm tới
I saw the videos from "TheDailyPackers" whom did a great job of going around Hue as most people just go there for a few hours or overnight then leave. Also saw a video from CularTravels a while back where he went on a tour about the war and had one of the best guides in Hue (Hue was basically leveled by American bombs during the war, where much of the Imperial City was bombed out of existence...such a travesty and a crime to humanity to ruin historical sites like that). Also, "Chase and Shelbs" went there and had a great food experience. Hue is known for it's food as it's in the Central region where much of the best foods of Vietnam come from.
@@doodahgurliecó khi nào bạn đặt câu hỏi vì sao kinh thành Huế thuộc miền Nam Việt Nam mà lại bị bom Mỹ đánh tan tành không???
@@hoaphuong-10 Because southerners invited foreigners over to do it?
I'm Vietnamese and i think people travel to Thailand for some "easylife and pleasing stuff", so that is why Thailand had more services "make tourist dollar". Vietnam is more natural and let the tourist experience what they want from traveling, that aslo the minding and characteristic of Vietnamese. Both have strengs and weaks. Thank you !
What is your pleasing stuff ?? We have proud history and never colonized that is our charm and beautiful temples and palaces , in fact no need to campare with a communist country like Vietnam. WE ARE DIFFERENT AT EVERY LEVEL .
Thanks for the videos my wife and I are visiting 25 new countries (ones neither of us have been to) for 25 years of marriage. We have completed 7 and just booked 10 in the Balkans and I am planning on 8 in Southeast Asia. I have followed you guys for awhile now so thank you for all the work and information.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. That is so awesome and sounds like you have some busy travels ahead. Thank you so much for following along on our travels - safe travels. Cheers 🍻
Having visited both countries a number of times, I totally concur with these findings except to say that VNese street food can be fantastic but it highly depends on locality. I also never had stomach issues eating street food but did so in hotels. Go figure!
This video was PERFECT for me! I am doing both countries this fall. Thanks guys! Oh and I’m soooo happy you’re not done in SE Asia👏🏻👏🏻
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. So happy to hear you found it helpful! We really look forward to returning next year to explore more.
I think the beaches comparison is very biased. The beach in Danang is a city beach and by definition won’t have that tropical feel to it. Vietnam has got amazing beaches if you head for example to Phu Quoc, you would definitely get the vacation white sand beaches experience you are looking for.
FYI, some of the craft beers in Thailand were actually brewed in Vietnam, mainly in Saigon, due to some law in Thailand that makes it illegal to brew small batch of beers, so they went to Saigon and set up the brewhouse there and import the beers back to Thailand.
That's so interesting.... Thank you for letting us know. Cheers 🍻
Rất chính xác, Thái lan nhập khẩu bia Việt Nam rất nhiều
ขอแหล่งอ้างอิงด้วย
Beer Saigon has been given to Thailand for a long time
@@tinhtri79แต่มันคือสูตรที่คนไทยคิดค้นและสั่งผลิต ไม่ได้นำเข้าจากผู้ผลิตเวียตนาม กฎหมายไทย โรงผลิตเบียร์ต้องผลิตเบียร์ได้ไม่ต่ำกว่า 1,000,000 ลิตร/ปี ผู้ผลิตรายเล็กจึงไม่สามารถผลิตในประเทศได้ จึงต้องสั่งผลิตที่ต่างประเทศ ส่วนมากก็เป็นเบียร์คราฟท์ ไทยมี 3 แบรนด์หลักคือ singha, chang, Leo แต่ตอนนี้กำลังมีการลงมติแก้กฎหมายข้อนี้อยู่
Vietnam is about to change regarding visas. Visa free for 45days. Tourist e visas from 30-90 days will allow multiple entries.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We heard there were changes in the works, so excited about this! Thanks so much for watching - Cheers beer
Hi from New Zealand! This has been so helpful as have been considering Thailand or Vietnam for a holiday. Sounds like I need to make a plan for both. Interesting hearing about the craft beer scene there as it is a big thing in New Zealand. Cheers and thanks for a very informative video.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Hello in New Zealand!! Being from the Pacific Northwest in the States where Craft Beer is on most street corners - it's always on our radar. Looks like we need to add New Zealand to the list of places to visit 😉
Thank you for the videos. We’ve never done videos but know you’ll put a lot of time and effort into it. Between the military and being fortunate to be able to take some nice vacations we’ve covered a good bit. We’re retiring in a few years and looking forward to full-time travel life. We’re learning from you’ll and just want you to know we appreciate the channel.
Thank you so much for watching and supporting us! Thank you for your service as well, very much appreciated.
Cheers!
I stayed in old town Hanoi and I didn't find it too noisy It was fine but I liked places like HaLong Bay, DaNang, NaTrang.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. We also loved our time in Da Nang and look forward to visiting Na Trang next year. Cheers 🍻
Go to Koh Lanta, Thailand (Long Beach). My favorite spot if you like great beaches and peace and quiet without all the tourists! 😀
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Thank you for the suggestion, we will be sure to check that out when we return. Cheers!!
Hi guys, why do you skip Indonesia? I am Indonesian who lives in Lisbon. If you do have plan to Indonesia, try to visit Yogyakarta. I think it's way ore cheaper than Bali.
I have a beautiful memory in Ho Chi Minh. If you go to HCM, go to the French restaurant called Le Jardim. I the food is good and it's inexpensive.
We just ran out of time. We plan on going back and Indonesia is on our list! Thank you for watching and the restaurant tip!! 🍻
You should try Da Lat, in the Central Highlands. Maybe take an Easy Rider tour and travel on the back of a tour guide's motorbike to see places that most tourists would not see. I lived there for 6 years. I was a guide and I have many friends still there. All great guys who speak English, and really know their country and its history. You could even take a tour from Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City or anywhere, really. My first tour was from Ho Chi Minh back to Da lat. It was three days and we showed our new friends so much along the way. There's no rushing around, just traveling on motorbikes, where you're free to take as many pictures and videos as you like and enjoy the ride...You ride during the day and stay at a hotel each night, included in the price. The guides take you for dinner, you sleep, and then off again the next morning. Things you will see include: peanut farms, rubber plantations, many waterfalls (of course), weasel coffee farms, mushroom growers, coffee plantations, Vietnam war sites of historic interest, and many other things. It's quite an experience.
I too, was not fond of Hanoi. It seems that people get much nicer the further south you travel in Vietnam. I hope that you enjoy your next trip.
Thank you for all the great information!! We will be back in Vietnam next spring to explore all that we missed this time!! Thank you again!!
Cheers!!🍻
For Vietnam I'd recommend Phong Nha and Dalat, both are really cool places to visit.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺.
Thank you so much for the suggestions, we will look at both of these when we return next year. Cheers 🍻
I’ve only got 3 weeks to explore Thailand with an eye towards retirement. I’m a beach guy not a city guy. Where should I explore and where should I stay. I am anticipating staying a week or less in each place so moving every 4-7 days is doable to maximize the experience. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Love your videos
For beaches - Phuket, stay in Rawai. Koh Samui good too. And Ao Nang.
@@brucesnyder690 thanks I’ll look into these. I’m not going till November but I want to book early
Also look for Danang, Nha Trang, qui nhon, phu quoc, con dao in Vietnam if you’re a beach guy.
@@BenCleaton Thanks Vietnam is also on the short list.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise. Thank you to everyone for chiming in and helping. We love Da Nang for the waves, but Koh Samui had such a great chill beach vibe. Thanks so much for watching ☺
Great video's thx for sharing. Been going to Thailand for 20 years and love it. Spent a month in nha Trang Vietnam a few years ago and loved it too. I'll retire over there soon. I want to visit danang and decide between hua hin, Chiang Mai or danang for a home base😊. Thx again !
We hope to make it to Nha Trang in the next year or so, we've heard so many great things. Thanks so much for watching!!
You are incorrect when you said Vietnamese food is blend. Thai food and Vietnamese food are tasty. These 2 countries have the best and tastiest food in the world. However, VN food is not consistently good everywhere like Thai food. You guys should watch other UA-camr videos to understand.
It's just our opinion. We will be back next year so maybe it will change. Thank you for watching.
Cheers!!🍻
It was bland maybe because you're not eating the food correctly? Majority of Vietnamese dishes always come with some sort of dipping sauce as a flavor enhancer.
Thai foods are good but what I don’t like is almost all of their foods consist of either coconut milk, turmeric or curry ingredients. Vietnamese foods flavors hit right, not over whelming. It’s also healthy IMO. I’m surprised you guys did not mentioned the coffee and fresh fruit drinks from either country. Vietnam is big on coffee and there are a lot of coffee selections
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. It could be that we are huge fans of the curry and coconut milk dishes that Thai food offers. I enjoyed a fruit smoothie pretty much every day in Thailand, I'm honestly surprised I didn't mention it as well 😉 Cheers!!
Thailand has a tons of food without all ingradients and that you said .I'm thai don't eat spicy food i grow with thai-chinese food, japanese food, india food ,western food.
Thai food have a lot of dishes my friend and just only some of the Thai foods that consist of coconut milk, turmeric and curry ingredients. 100% guarantee.
In Thailand you can find Kuay teaw which is noodle clear soup like Vietnam Pho in every local market. It’s actually easier to find Kuay teaw than Pad Thai. Most foreigner know Tom yam that put coconut milk, but there are another Tom yum with clear soup and no coconut milk.
you are Vietnamese I'm Thai and I don't like anything in Vietnam either. Watching tourism, you know who is number 1 Thai and Vietnamese food Which country do people around the world know more about? Traveling in Thailand is more convenient than Vietnam. 10 times more tourists to Thailand than Vietnam 👌👌👌
Definitely disagree that Thai food is better. Your take on VN food being bland is laughable. VN food is so so flavorful. Thai food is pretty one note. It’s flavorful but it’s very similar to each other. VN has a vast array of different noodle soups, each with its own unique flavor. There are so many different VN dishes on offer from sweet to savory.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. This is definitely a matter of taste and everyone has a varying opinion. Thank goodness there are so many options for everyone to choose which suits them better. Cheers!!
If you make it back to Vietnam please try Dalat... fabulous part of Vietnam....so beautiful.
We will be back next year!!!
@@BrianandCarrie If you go back, check out the videos that "Shot in the Dark Travel" made there as they found a few good gems - especially the olden day style train ride to the very cool temple. But there's a ton of stuff that a lot of people miss out on in Da Lat like the canyoning, the clay city, coffee farms, etc.
Thailand does not want to compete or compare.
We want to develop our country for the better and develop our products are always of good standard.
thanks for your honest opinion and return to either country that fits your needs. welcome.
Thank you for watching! We will be returning to SE Asia and most likely spending time in Southern Vietnam.
Cheers!!🍻
Hello Brian/Carrie, I love your videos and do follow your videos of Asia. You have it right on comparing the two incredible countries in SE Asia. I just wanted to mention that Thailand has a leg up on Vietnam because the people have a different mindset. You aren't likely to get scammed or taken advantage of in comparison to Vietnam. A perfect example is if you leave your things alone you are likely to get it back in Thailand whereas you will get taken in Vietnam. Thai's believe in Karma compared to Vietnamese, lol. Beers and seafood goes to Vietnam but food/massages goes to Thailand. Accommodations is definitely Vietnam but transportation goes to Thailand. Now that you've seen both amazing countries, give Laos and Cambodia a try so you can be taken back 30yrs in time. Btw, Lao beer is the best in Asia. This would be an adventure beyond your comfort zone but a life experience you'll never forget. Hope to follow more of your adventures, take care, cheers 🙏.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. Both countries have so much to offer and we loved both. Brian did leave an expensive pair of sunglasses at a beach bar in Vietnam and we were so pleasantly surprised to have them waiting for us the next morning - something less likely to happen in the States!! We plan to visit Laos and Cambodia next year, all we've heard are wonderful things. Thanks so much for watching!! Cheers 🍻
That's weird. I find Thailand much more touristy and therefore scam heavy than Vietnam. I feel like a normal customer in Vietnam whereas in Thailand, I feel like a big giant tourist ready to be taken advantage of... For example, the cabs... In Thailand, good luck getting anyone to use a meter. They'll give you a personal price. Vietnam has it's thieves but there's no real organized or ingrained tourist theft going on. Happens, but not that much.
super helpful as always B&C. thanks!!
Another great video! I do have to recommend going to Laos if you get a chance. We flew to Udon Thani Thailand and crossed the bridge to Vientiane and spent a few days there. Then we took a shuttle to Vang Vieng. Then on to Luang Probang which is probably my favorite town in Asia. Beer was literally cheaper than water 10 years ago. Great food, very scenic and interesting, the river trip to the budha cave is worthwhile. You are a long ways from anywhere though so we took kind of a pricey flight to Chiang Ma, $250 I think at the time. Look into it, the French food and influence was really cool
We plan on heading back to SE Asia next year and Laos as well as Cambodia, the Philippines, and Indonesia is on our list. Until then we will be back in Europe!! Thank you for the recommendations!
Cheers!!🍻
Danang, Nha Trang, Krabi, Chiangmai. Ubud, Kyoto, enjoy all for 1 to 3 months.
Im 18 and planning my first solo overseas trip - this video is so helpful!!! Thank you so much! :)
18!! Wow that's amazing that you are doing trip solo!! Good for you and safe travels!
We liked Da Nang and An Bang beaches. Hoi An and HCM (Saigon) were both great. Hanoi felt too cramped and not clean. We would go back to Vietnam. Vietnamese love Americans.
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺.
We look forward to exploring the southern areas of Vietnam next year when we return, many of the places you mentioned are on the list. Cheers 🍻
I don't know why they would like Americans after the millions of Vietnamese you killed just a few decades ago.
Very nice video🎉 we are planning to spend our holiday in there but we were not sure which country, that was really nice to hear opinions from a couple 😊😊
We enjoyed both countries so you really can't go wrong with either one. Ideally, you could visit both!! 😊 Thank you for watching!
Cheers!!🍻
I'm in Vietnam now doing a visa run. Did not know I needed a visa for Vietnam. Ended up paying 200 + 30 USD for expedited visa
There were a few people in the customs line that did not know about the visa. We have learned to always check before leaving. Enjoy Vietnam!! Beautiful country!
Just finished up 18 days in Thailand and LOVED it! We enjoyed the beach vibe in Phi Phi and Phuket along with the green lush mountain vibe of Chiang Mai- all amazing for different reasons. Looking to head back to Southeast Asia again in March. If we loved those places, can you recommend places we might enjoy in Vietnam (or anywhere) that would give us both of those very different vibes? Also- are affordable massages as available in Vietnam?
We went to Da Nang and really enjoyed it. We have videos on what we did in the area. The massages are available in Vietnam as well!!! Thank you for watching our channel!! 😊
Been all over South East Asia, its the ice that gets you for the stomach bug. Concur with everything you said
You guys are such a fantastic resource for every place you go! Thanks for sharing such awesome info and experiences with us. It’s always a pleasure to see you both! 😊
As always, thank you for watching and safe travels!! ❤
Just love watching your blog. I just visited Thailand in April 2023. I am so ready to permanently retire in Thailand & South Korea, but I'm stuck at home Seattle like being in prison because of my commitment to caring for my elder parents. It's a DAILY frustration & feels like I'm dying because I can't leave for permanent retiring.
It’s the great to take care of parent, They gave your life. In Thailand we appreciate who take care parent as buddha teach.
Thank you for such a thorough comparison of these two amazing countries. 😃
Thank you for watching!
We’ve been to Thailand and Vietnam we love both countries perhaps you should consider Laos and Cambodia they both are worth a visit love the videos happy travels🍺🍺
We want to do those both next😊
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We are planning to go to Cambodia and Laos next year - we've only heard great things about both. Thanks so much for watching. Cheers 🍻
Thanks again for the informative video. Both countries are places that I have not been. Having seen your video and others, I certainly have added Thailand to the list of places to go. Vietnam was an unknown, and my entire experience for it was with the various movies about the War there, and the informative documentary from Ken Burns (excellent!). So thanks for the comparison on numerous categories. You ably show that you don't have to hostel and eat rice alone to travel full time and have comfort, and keeping your own standards. Enjoy your home time and I look forward to hearing about your next adventures. Happy Independence Day!
Thank you, Robert!
Hi Guys great video thank you, both countries are on our list to visit. What time of the year were you there and how did you find the heat/humidity? We would love to check out the Air BNBs you stayed at if you wouldn’t mind tagging them. Happy travels 😊
Hi Steve! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺. We were in these areas from January to April. The humidity didn't get bad until March, but it was consistently quite hot. From what we are hearing, the heat and humidity are just something that comes with traveling in these locations, some months being a bit less. The Airbnb's we stayed in are linked in the description for the video in the specific area you are looking. Cheers!!
I don’t like videos comparing countries. Vietnam and Thailand are their own unique countries that have their own distinct languages, histories and politics. Even the food is really different and nuanced even though they share the some same ingredients. I think this is a very narrow minded view point to ask the question which countries are better. Just appreciate each country for what it is and don’t minimize countries by comparing them just because to you they seem the similar or share the same geographical region.
Then why watch it? 🙄 We loved both countries...
Cheers!!🍻
welcome, very happy with your sharing and comparison about VIETNAM, and THAILAND, hope you will come back to VIETNAM soon, explore more destinations, nature, and beaches very beautiful , as well as the highlands , and especially the Vietnamese people , are very friendly and hospitable , hope you will have many good memories in VIETNAM .
We will be back in Vietnam in the spring of 2024!! Thank you so much for watching our channel and being so kind. ❤
Thanks for the insight guys, great to hear your perception. I’m sure different people appreciate different things but it was a good overview - cheers🍺
Thank you for watching!!
Cheers!!🍻
Such a fantastic video!!! That was really insightful, guys.
If you want to travel so you can choose Thailand but if you want to live, Vietnam is the best
Great review info. I am originally from Vietnam when i was young. I had been back to Vietnam and visited Thailand also. Your infos are very helpful. One suggestion is to call Saigon instead. People love your even more. :) Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.
If you love Thailand, you will have fun in Vietnam too. If you like Vietnam, you will love Thailand too. Easy and have fun with both beautiful country ❤️
Very true ❤️. Thanks for watching!!
Please tell us more about the actual costs and prices. It would be very helpful. You were missing out on the foods in Vietnam. It was always your choice to get spicy hot peppers and hot sauce on your foods. I like your shared info on Thailand very much. Thank you very much for your candid comparison!!
We have monthly cost of living videos from each country that we visit including Thailand and Vietnam. Go to our main page and click the videos tab to find them. Thank you for watching!
Cheers!
Nice one guys, some great insights. Thank you.
Thank you for watching!! ❤️
Don't know why I didn't see this sooner. Simply a fantastic comparison video. Thank you!
So happy you found it helpful. Thanks for watching - Cheers!!
After visiting Cambodia 3 times, I think you're missing one of the best places in SEA ❤
Hi Mike! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺.
We have Cambodia and Laos on the list to visit next year when we return. Can't wait!! Cheers 🍻
Thailand 🇹🇭 ❤ 🇻🇳 Vietnam
Thank you for watching! ❤
Having been to both countries, i can say Vietnam is absolutely amazing. It has the best people. Very organized. Very cultured. You don't have to worry about getting scammed. And people are extremely cooperative..
The only thing Thailand is better at is the food variety.
The food in Thailand can't be beat!!
My opinion:
Food - Vietnam hands down. I love Thai food too but Vietnamese food to me offer a bit more compared to Thai or Chinese.
Infrastructure- Thailand
Healthcare- Thailand
Affordability- (in big cities if you go out) Thailand
English speaking- Vietnam (I feel generally Vietnamese will understand better than Thai)
Friendliness- Both
Conclusion: I say Thailand
Hi Brian & Carrie, we have recently started to watch your videos as we were trying to find out about Thailand. We liked your videos and the details that you provide with unbiased views and from your personal experience... besides the fact that Brian reminds me of myself (I just need beer all the time :P) but yeah I really like that you guys show the prices of it wherever you go... as for me it a huge deal breaker TBH :) will catch up soon some time later..until then, ciao!
Happy to hear you find our videos helpful. We like sharing costs cause that was something we looked for when we were first planning our travels. Cheers!!
Very informative great video legends, I appreciate your content
We appreciate you watching and supporting our channel!!
Cheers!!🍻
I'm Vietnamese and I think vacations in Thailand are better than Vietnam. Although Vietnam still has beautiful beaches and landscapes like : Nhatrang, Qui Nhon, ConDao, MuiNe, DaLat.... Love Thailand from Vietnam ❤
40% GDP của Thái là đến từ du lịch nên tốt hơn là đúng thôi
As a Vietnamese, we should promote our country beauty and culture to foreigner😁even though Thailand do better in tourism
@@nguyenkhue4021 Most get it wrong. think that Thai economy depends on tourism But in reality, before COVID GDP, tourism accounted for 16% of GDP and after COVID (last year 2022) it was only 6% of GDP.
@@e-hoirossukon6581 And that's why Thai's economy is slowing down. 6% but it's not included the drugs and prostitution services, if you add it in it becomes much more
@@nguyenkhue4021 just like vietnam Including the service charges for Vietnamese prostitutes in barbershops and smuggled into Thailand. Vietnam's economy should be able to afford your domestic gas and electricity bills.
What a fantastic video, loved your observations, iv just seen a comment already that says they’re similar but different, it’s a difficult thing to describe. I agree with MOST of your comments except I’ll fight any man who says that a Bahn Mi isn’t the best food on the planet and that Witch Piss Chaing is better than Leo 😆
That’s any man apart from Brian obviously (looks a big fella)
We did laugh because when we were in Hanoi we said exactly the same thing if you hadn’t had your senses already numbed by S E Asia it would be totally overwhelming. It’s our favourite place now and we’ve booked to go back again pretty much as soon as we landed. I could keep going for hours - great vid - look forward to seeing you in HCMC. One thing we did which was THE best thing iv ever done and would definitely recommend was a motorcycle food tour - the adrenaline going through Saigon on the back of a bike in that madhouse 👍
Cheers to you both 🍺🍺
Hi! So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid for the last week on a family cruise ☺.
Ha ha, Bahn Mi's were great, but we just reached our limit 😉. Brian is going to hold strong on Chang, but he's not a fighting kind of guy either. We will check out the motorcycle food tour next year when we visit Vietnam again. Thanks so much for watching!! Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie the motorcycle food tour is the best thing iv ever done - the adrenaline is mad - if we’d not already booked it no way would we have done it when we got there ! Look forward to watching 👍 cheers 🍺
Great vlog, guys.
As for Vietnam and Thailand, I have wanted to go to Vietnam for years of trips to the region, but, I really didn't want to deal with getting a visa for staying a few days in Vietnam and at first the cost was $50, but due to the uproar over the price some years ago, it dropped to $25 for U.S. citizens. I'm in the region for 6 weeks and Vietnam would have been only a few days during that 6-week period as I'm in Bangkok for 3 weeks of the 6.
In the rest of the region where I go, applying for a visa has never been required over the last 2-plus decades of travel.
As for water in Thailand, I try to stay away from tap water. There is plenty of bottled water there. I have gotten sick from tap water in the past. My Thai friends have even mentioned to not drink unfiltered tap water. One can buy big bottles of filtered water.
As for hot and spicy food, hot food brings down the body temperature in hot weather.. Our heads regulate body temperatures and sweating brings down the body temperature.
As for fish and fish allergies, folks with them need to be very careful as to what they eat. There's fish sauce in a lot of dishes in Thailand and other places in Southeast Asia, even in some vegetable dishes. Thank goodness I don't have a fish allergy, but a sibling does.
As for transportation in Bangkok, yes, it's great due to both the Skytrain-BTS (Dec 1999) and the metro subway systems-MRT (2004). However, it was beyond a mess before those systems were built as back in the day it could take half an hour to go one long block in a taxi. I used to get out of taxis mid-way to my destination and walk the rest of the way. Or not take a taxi and just walk, like from the river area, where my dressmaker is located, and all the way to where the Siam Skytrain BTS station is now, the distance of 3.5 km./2.2 miles.
As for the cost of Thailand, it depends on what country one is coming from. When the U.S. dollar is fluctuating, then Thailand can get more expensive. It's no longer the days of 40 baht to a U.S. dollar. Back when the dollar had fallen, but the euro was really high, then it was cheap for those from euro countries. Now that the U.S. dollar and euro are about the same, it's more expensive for those with euros compared to back when the euro was really high. But, overall, I feel that Thailand is inexpensive as there is such a vast variety of levels of accommodations and also food and food is never a problem as there's plenty of it. Thais love to eat.
Greetings from Los Angeles
You don't have to say that drinking Thai water makes you sick. If you drink like that, you'll get sick.
So sorry for the late reply, we were off the grid on a family cruise ☺. Some great points - thank you so much for watching and your continued support. Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie No problem. Hope you had a great cruise!!!
Greetings from Los Angeles
In my opinion there is nothing wrong about the Tap water here my friend because how we made tap water here is the same way as in the big city around the world as in the US or in Europe as the informations from the World Health organization(WHO) since very long time ago but here in Thailand people do not drink the Tap water because the water have to go through many old pipes and that's made the Tap water have very low Quality and it's the same problem all around the world because if you ever saw and old pipe you'll understand what I meant and why the Thai chose to buy to drink and while we Thai could buy very cheap water here so noone want to drink the Tap water if you are from the west you'd known that sometimes the taste from the Tap water are unacceptable, most of my Thai friends who lived in the states they used to buy water to drink too because the Tap water their always have very weird taste or sometimes not clear.
But when foreigners ask the Thai and most of them said do not drink the Tap water it is because water here is very cheap noone drink Tap water and they just misunderstood and thought that the water here is not clean or toxic but it's not my friend and it is because there are a lot of tourists came to Thailand and when they heard the Thai said do not drink then many of them came here and they posted on internet to give the information to another tourist that's water here is not drinkable but it's not my friend, all Thai people still used Tap water to clean everything and use the Water Purifier at home when they want to drink to lower the risk when the water have to pass all those old pipes to your home. One of my foreigners asked me too because he really do not understand that here in Bangkok there are a lot of skyscrapers but why just a stupid little things like Tap water do not exist and I had to told him that hope it will never exist while we can buy a very cheap fresh bottle of water from everywhere you go I just hope the price here not goes up otherwise we probably have to drink those Tap water too.
@@onalonan The bottom line is that I and others have had sickness problems with unfiltered tap water in Bangkok and Thailand in general over 20-plus years of going there and thus avoid tap water as much as possible no matter what the tons of reasons might be regarding the tap water situation. To each his own. Either drink it or don't drink it.
Greetings from Los Angeles
Great video!! One thing I would add is that health care is better in Thailand. There are pharmacies everywhere and it's easy to get most things without a prescription. Dental care is excellent and so is massage. Vietnam has the best coffee in Asia, although Chiang Mai is catching up. Also, the Gulf of Thailand is quite sheltered compared to the much more exposed and rainier coast of Vietnam. Da Nang is cooler in January and February, while there isn't much escape from the heat in Thailand except for a very short "winter" in Chiang Mai. Both places are wonderful in their own way. Vietnam is full or ancient and modern history. I'm really enjoying your channel! Have you checked out Hua Hin in Thailand? Much better value than the islands.
We had a full health checkup while in Thailand. We had a great experience, and it was very affordable. We even did a video all about it!! 😁 Thank you for all the insights and adding the channel, Jane.
No doubt about it, folks! 🌟 After my epic escapades through both Thailand and Vietnam, I gotta say, Thailand takes the cake! 🏆 From its jaw-dropping beaches to the lively cities, Thailand has the whole package for every adventurer out there. And let's talk food - oh boy, those Thai flavors are out of this world! 🍛😋 But what really sets it apart is the warm hospitality of the locals, making you feel like you've found your home away from home. 🏡 🌴🇹🇭
Thailand has 10 to 20yrs ahead of Tourism. While Vietnam was struggle after the War. There is no comparison in these two countries. but Vietnam is catching up soon than you think. The foods is depend on what you like. some people like spicy...some are not.
Thanks for sharing Brian and Carrie. What about traditional massages? I was told it's more expensive in Vietnam?
They were a bit more, but that is what we had and they are still very inexpensive.
Next time go to Phu Quốc Island in south Vietnam if you’re looking for that tropical beach vacation feels, Nha Trang beach also great too but maybe little similar to Đa Nang beach
Thank you so much for the suggestions. We are returning next year and will plan to go to those places 😊
Good video and thank you for sharing guys.
Thank you so much for watching!
Cheers!!🍻
@BrianandCarrie glad that I've found your video cuz I'll be in both Koh Samui and Đà Nẵng next month.
Siem Reap, Cambodia -Ankar Wat? I think it's somewhat near Thailand? And very inexpensive for accommodations, etc, at least according to a UA-cam video I just watched. Thanks again for all the great information, very practical and presented in such an easygoing, lighthearted way. Happy Trails😊
Thanks so much for watching 😊
Thai food is popular in the US for a reason. It is like say, Italian food, it is found almost everywhere in the US why? because it is great food and it satisfies many different palates. If Vietnamese food were that great, we'd have many more Vietnamese restaurants here in the US. Sounds like the overall prices are a bit cheaper in VN, but food is much better in Thailand. Thank you for this post. I have been to Thailand and plan to visit Vietnam soon. Now I know what to expect.
I personally preferred Vietnamese food for fresh, lighter and healthier reasons. I feel like eating it everyday and wont get tired of it and feel very healthy.. Nevertheless, Vietnamese food is also very mind blowing and amazingly delicious .😢
We are looking forward to coming back to Vietnam next year! ❤
Interesting video. I do wonder how long you spent in Vietnam if you summed up Vietnamese food as Phở and Bánh Mì. There is so much more!
I did see some of that insistent behavior in Đà Lạt night market - one friend called it the "nightmare market." I didn't find it that aggressive but it was...consistent. 😀 I tried to buy a small durian there and the seller tried to sell me one that was not ripe. She split it, I felt it, it was still on the edge of crunchy. I told her and she tried to shame me in front of other people. Then she got mad and said she wouldn't sell to me. I said "yep, you're right." :-) But mostly I had a wonderful time in Vietnam.
We were in Veitnam for 30 days and had a wonderful time. We plan on going back next year! Thank you for watching.
Cheers 🍻
New subscriber love your channel. Thanks for the information.
Thank you so much for watching and subscribing 😊
As aThai person Vietnam has Dalat city which is heaven on earth , I wish I could live in Dalat ...
Speaking of weather and vibe , Dalat is the most pleasant city to live in....
10-28 c most of days of 365 a year , can be found nowhere!!!!
The worst thing of Dalat could be wet and rainy , it one of the most city in entire Asia that receive the rain roughly 3000 millimeters yearly!!!!
Sounds like an amazing place that we should visit!