Some travelers believe that visiting Vietnam after Thailand is unnecessary and monotonous. I can assure you: that's not true. The only real similarity between these two countries is their status as tourist hotspots – apart from that, they couldn't be more different.

The decisive factor is certainly time. After several weeks in Thailand, do you really have another two to three weeks for Vietnam? Or would you be happy to spend just a few days there, knowing that you'll have to return to get to know the country more comprehensively?

Those are questions for another post, of course. I'm not here so much to convince you to travel from Thailand to Vietnam, but rather to give you advice on how best to do it once you've come to that conclusion.

Is a trip to Vietnam worthwhile?

Vietnam is a vast and fascinating country with at least as many worthwhile destinations and experiences as Thailand, and an equally enticing cuisine. If you have the time and money for a trip to Vietnam, it is highly recommended. The problem, however, is that an extended trip to Thailand is simply too much for many travelers.

One more thing to keep in mind: For travel to Vietnam, you generally need a visa, which you don't usually receive upon arrival but must apply for in advance. If you're planning your trip now, you can, of course, do this online. However, if you wait until the last minute, you might forget. Therefore, many travelers postpone applying and ultimately forgo their trip to Vietnam altogether.

How to travel from Thailand to Vietnam

Fly from Bangkok to Hanoi

If you wish to begin your Vietnam trip in the capital, you can take one of the numerous daily flights from Bangkok. Depending on the airline, you will fly to Hanoi from either Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport.

From Bangkok to Saigon

Saigon is another popular arrival point for travelers from Thailand to Vietnam. Similar to flights to Hanoi, travelers to Ho Chi Minh City (as Saigon is sometimes called) can usually begin their journey at one of Bangkok's two airports.

Fly from Bangkok to Da Nang or Da Lat

In recent years, airlines have also started offering flights to smaller Vietnamese cities. For example, several airlines now fly nonstop from Bangkok to Da Nang, the hub of central Vietnam. Depending on the day of the week, you can also take a direct flight to the mountain city of Da Lat or to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta.

Fly from Chiang Mai to Hanoi or Saigon

While most flights from Thailand to Vietnam depart from one of Bangkok's two airports, not all do. For example, there are direct flights from Chiang Mai to both Hanoi and Saigon. These flights are often more expensive than those via Bangkok, but they are also more comfortable.

Fly from Phuket to Saigon

You can also fly directly from Phuket to Saigon. This connection mainly serves the many Vietnamese tourists who love Thailand's largest island. This flight is ideal if you want to start your Vietnam trip in the south or explore only this part of the country.

Things to do in Vietnam (and how long you should stay)

Vietnam is a true travel paradise, from north to south. In just a few weeks you can explore these destinations (in no particular order):

  • Saigon and the Mekong Delta: After getting lost amidst the skyscrapers of Vietnam's largest city, you can immerse yourself in the past in the villages of the Mekong Delta.
  • Da Nang (as well as Hoi An and Hue): Central Vietnam is the country's most underrated tourist region. After a few days in Da Nang, take day trips to the old town of Hoi An or the imperial city of Hue.
  • Hanoi and Ha Long Bay: Vietnam's political capital is also a tourism capital thanks to its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ha Long Bay.

    • Other frequently asked questions about traveling from Thailand to Vietnam

    How long does the journey from Thailand to Vietnam take?

    You can fly from Thailand to Vietnam in less than two hours, regardless of where in either country the journey begins or ends. Anyone attempting to travel overland should expect a journey of several days. Flying is therefore clearly the best way to undertake this trip.

    Is there a train connection from Thailand to Vietnam?

    A direct train connection from Thailand to Vietnam is not possible. The most one can do is travel from Bangkok to Laos or Cambodia and then continue by bus or private car. Whether a direct train connection between Thailand and Vietnam will ever be built is uncertain, but the hope for such a connection is known to exist.

    Is a trip to Thailand or to Vietnam cheaper?

    Vietnam is significantly cheaper than Thailand. Of course, there are drawbacks – Vietnam appears much poorer than Thailand, the infrastructure is inferior, and travel can be far more frustrating. Therefore, I would say that the overall travel experiences are similar: you get what you pay for.

    Conclusion

    Traveling from Thailand to Vietnam is straightforward, as flying is the only reliable and convenient way to travel between the two countries. From Bangkok, you can reach most destinations in Vietnam directly – starting in early 2023, there will be nonstop flights to Hanoi, Saigon, Da Nang, and Da Lat. Direct flights to Vietnam are also available from Chiang Mai and Phuket. Need help planning your trip? Whether it's for Thailand, Vietnam, or your entire Southeast Asia adventure – create your personalized itinerary today!