An off topic post has been removed:

 

Why are you trying to hijack the topic with stories of UK Immigration when the topic is about

Thai tourism in trouble: And competitor Vietnam is "scary" for Pattaya

A post and a reply containing a link to Bangkok Post has been removed. 

Quote" He said that Vietnam was increasingly a rival of Thailand for tourist cash. Vietnam has lots of unexplored and new tourism locations and many people are choosing to go there instead of Pattaya in particular and Thailand in general"

 

Yes, Vietnam is starting to eat Thailand's tourist dollar. Even on the golfing front Vietnam wants to attract golfers globally that would normally consider Thailand as their golfing destination. Read the following article...

 

https://en.nhandan.org.vn/travel/item/7261902-golf-tourism-to-attract-more-international-visitors-to-vietnam.html

 

On 7/27/2019 at 4:42 AM, Melbun said:

You are living up to your name. Madman. To make such bold sweeping statement about a country finished is quite silly mate. Not everyone is interested in long extendable visa's and millions are happy to visit regularly and partake of the goodies on offer.

What on earth are you on about, you sure you replied to the right post?  go back and read the post I replied to 

 

"sweeping statement about a country finished" what does this even mean? hopefully you sobered up by now

7 hours ago, madmen said:

What on earth are you on about, you sure you replied to the right post?  go back and read the post I replied to 

 

"sweeping statement about a country finished" what does this even mean? hopefully you sobered up by now

Sorry - wrong post (wasn't able to edit it) - followed it up with another post below it to the OP. Explanation : Quote: when someone says something like the OP _that a country like LOS is finished - just because it doesn't meet his requirements. I regard that as a broad sweeping statement, and nonsense!! Get it ??

Let us hope the Indians and Chinese develop a liking for Vietnam. 

 

http://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/index.php/items/13978

 

Total international arrivals up 7.5% over the same period last year.

 

I would suggest a lot of those visitors are westerners, with real money to spend, that used to come to Thailand, but now go to Vietnam. 

8 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

 

http://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/index.php/items/13978

 

Total international arrivals up 7.5% over the same period last year.

 

I would suggest a lot of those visitors are westerners, with real money to spend, that used to come to Thailand, but now go to Vietnam. 

No factual information to back that up.  All of the Americans are going to Victoria Island or Quebec city.  The Canadians are going to Florida to buy used cars and the Brits are going to Spain.  The Australians are going to Bali.  

10 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

No factual information to back that up. 

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/pattaya-30-down-this-year-european-tourist-drop-off

 

Just one article of many.

 

"A leading tourism official has now confirmed what many Pattaya expats and locals have been saying for the past year… “The days of Europeans visiting Pattaya in large numbers are over”.

9 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

No factual information to back that up.  All of the Americans are going to Victoria Island or Quebec city.  The Canadians are going to Florida to buy used cars and the Brits are going to Spain.  The Australians are going to Bali.  

Canadians going to Florida to holiday and buy cars????????

not at 35 percent exchange. 

But we are going to Vietnam now, I can assure you that, along with many other nationalities I met there.

20 hours ago, Ron jeremy said:

But we are going to Vietnam now, I can assure you that, along with many other nationalities I met there.

It's not only the mix of nationalities now favoring Vietnam, it's also the age range.

 

Not as many backpackers in Thailand now, but plenty of these younger ones in Vietnam. 

 

I'm not suggesting backpackers are a lucrative market, but just saying, backpackers, all the way up to returning war veterans, and all ages in between, are touring Vietnam now. 

Lots of Americans are now going to Vietnam, just my observation base on my circle of friends.

I looked at agod a and they were offering a gulf view, air conditioned room, 100 meters from the beach at Jomtien for 192 THB this week, private bath.  And lady friendly....and that is one aspect that has improved, there are a lot fewer ripoffs for bringing a girl back to your room.  They know they will get a bad review..

4 minutes ago, moontang said:

I looked at agod a and they were offering a gulf view, air conditioned room, 100 meters from the beach at Jomtien for 192 THB this week, private bath.  And lady friendly....and that is one aspect that has improved, there are a lot fewer ripoffs for bringing a girl back to your room.  They know they will get a bad review..

Lady friendly does that mean you can take the Mrs ?

8 minutes ago, Almer said:

Lady friendly does that mean you can take the Mrs ?

nah..even thai hotels have standard they wont cross

What do they expect when making visas difficult on purpose and turning people back at the airport then crying later that business is down. Losers. Vietnam isn't as nice at all but at least they let you in.

46 minutes ago, Essecola said:

Vietnam isn't as nice at all

I'm interested in Vietnam and assume you're comparing it to Thailand. I have about 17 years experience living in Thailand and none in Vietnam, so please tell me how the place is inferior. I'm not asking for an exhaustive list -- just the top 5 or so aspects of Vietnam that make it worse.

 

I'm not looking to challenge you -- just interested in your perspective. As I've never been to Vietnam, I can't really challenge anything that's said about it, but can you give a little background -- where you stayed...how long, etc.  

 

 

10 hours ago, thaitot said:

Lots of Americans are now going to Vietnam, just my observation base on my circle of friends.

So elderly Americans and backpackers, I will take my chances with the Chinese and Indians on Koh Chang!

4 hours ago, Inn Between said:

I'm interested in Vietnam and assume you're comparing it to Thailand. I have about 17 years experience living in Thailand and none in Vietnam, so please tell me how the place is inferior. I'm not asking for an exhaustive list -- just the top 5 or so aspects of Vietnam that make it worse.

 

I'm not looking to challenge you -- just interested in your perspective. As I've never been to Vietnam, I can't really challenge anything that's said about it, but can you give a little background -- where you stayed...how long, etc.  

 

 

Best way I can put it is things don't work well in Vietnam. Everything, including moving around, is more difficult to do. The roads are more dangerous. The shopping is 5% of what's in Thailand. Maybe that's if comparing to Bangkok; if compared to very rural areas of Thailand, maybe the shopping would be on par. The shopping in Vn major cities is a joke. Medical services are far inferior/difficult to access. Dental in Vn, would say it's good on that front. Vn is dirtier. Everyone's opinion is different, some people love Vn or at least don't mind it. Sure, some parts are pleasant but for the most part I think it's a hole. To give the people their credit, most of Vn people are friendly. So there is a concise version of sorts, per your request. It's just my opinions, I was perfectly content in Bangkok for shopping, services, transport, medical, etc. Didn't like Vn at all.

(Accomodation is 1.5 - 2 times more expensive in Vn whilst getting less)

43 minutes ago, Essecola said:

Best way I can put it is things don't work well in Vietnam. Everything, including moving around, is more difficult to do. The roads are more dangerous. The shopping is 5% of what's in Thailand. Maybe that's if comparing to Bangkok; if compared to very rural areas of Thailand, maybe the shopping would be on par. The shopping in Vn major cities is a joke. Medical services are far inferior/difficult to access. Dental in Vn, would say it's good on that front. Vn is dirtier. Everyone's opinion is different, some people love Vn or at least don't mind it. Sure, some parts are pleasant but for the most part I think it's a hole. To give the people their credit, most of Vn people are friendly. So there is a concise version of sorts, per your request. It's just my opinions, I was perfectly content in Bangkok for shopping, services, transport, medical, etc. Didn't like Vn at all.

(Accomodation is 1.5 - 2 times more expensive in Vn whilst getting less)

Even though it's very general, thank you for your concise impressions of Vietnam. Knowing a little more about where, when and how long you stayed would have helped a bit, but I do appreciate your reply. 

 

As you elude to, each of us is after something a little different than the other guy, and I was always grateful that I didn't have to live in Bangkok, whereas others couldn't imagine living elsewhere in Thailand. 

 

I'm surprised that accommodation was as much as twice as expensive as Thailand. Was that long-term or hotels in somewhere like Saigon? As for the reckless and dangerous drivers, we know how highly Thailand rates for road carnage, and Vietnam actually ranks lower from what I recall seeing before -- something like 35 road fatalities a year per 100,000 people in Thailand and 27 in Vietnam. I could be wrong, but that's nothing I'm going to obsess about anyway...at least I hope not. 555

 

I assume there are a lot of similarities but also some shockers as one ventures into the country and its culture. Thanks again. Hopefully I'll be responding with my own impressions of the place before too long. 

Just now, Inn Between said:

Even though it's very general, thank you for your concise impressions of Vietnam. Knowing a little more about where, when and how long you stayed would have helped a bit, but I do appreciate your reply. 

 

As you elude to, each of us is after something a little different than the other guy, and I was always grateful that I didn't have to live in Bangkok, whereas others couldn't imagine living elsewhere in Thailand. 

 

I'm surprised that accommodation was as much as twice as expensive as Thailand. Was that long-term or hotels in somewhere like Saigon? As for the reckless and dangerous drivers, we know how highly Thailand rates for road carnage, and Vietnam actually ranks lower from what I recall seeing before -- something like 35 road fatalities a year per 100,000 people in Thailand and 27 in Vietnam. I could be wrong, but that's nothing I'm going to obsess about anyway...at least I hope not. 555

 

I assume there are a lot of similarities but also some shockers as one ventures into the country and its culture. Thanks again. Hopefully I'll be responding with my own impressions of the place before too long. 

I meant accomodation up to double prices in terms of apartment rentals of same quality and size. And the options you get for nearby shopping to such places a total fail compared to almost anywhere in Bangkok. Hotel prices not much higher.

12 minutes ago, Essecola said:

I meant accomodation up to double prices in terms of apartment rentals of same quality and size. And the options you get for nearby shopping to such places a total fail compared to almost anywhere in Bangkok. Hotel prices not much higher.

Where were you -- HCMC? 

 

And when you originally said the shopping was 5% of Thailand's, are you talking about food, clothing, electronics, household goods.....everything? I'm not much of a consumer and don't need western food to be happy, so as long as the food staples are available sufficiently and reasonably priced, I might be okay in that way, but 5% is an alarming comparison. Are there stores like Makro, Big C, Tesco Lotus? 

 

Pattaya will change or it will die. Tourists from other parts of Asia don't want to sit on a bar stool and drink their day away smelling sewer gas while looking out over a putrid sea they wouldn't dare swim in. The Chinese are shifting to Vietnam, and to Cambodia where they're building world class hotels and casinos next to clean beaches. 

Accomadations twice as expensive as Thailand????? Where were you buddy??????. I stay at home stays for 15-20 a night Canuck for a huge room with everything ncluded. Transportation is quite reliable and good, trains are the same. Countryside is dirty, but so is everywhere else in Asia. Most cities are very clean. 

And this is comin a guy from Bangkok????????????<deleted>!

17 hours ago, thaitot said:

Lots of Americans are now going to Vietnam, just my observation base on my circle of friends.

Americans get a 1 year multiple entry tourist visa for $195USD.  Flat fee, no other criteria to meet. Now compare that to Thailand's system. 

 

I don't think the Thai authorities realize how their visa requirements are repelling current, and future, expats and retirees.

 

Vietnam is now a real competitor to Thailand, and easy and cheap visas is just one aspect of how they are luring people from all demographics to Vietnam.

13 hours ago, Inn Between said:

I'm interested in Vietnam and assume you're comparing it to Thailand. I have about 17 years experience living in Thailand and none in Vietnam, so please tell me how the place is inferior. I'm not asking for an exhaustive list -- just the top 5 or so aspects of Vietnam that make it worse.

 

I'm not looking to challenge you -- just interested in your perspective. As I've never been to Vietnam, I can't really challenge anything that's said about it, but can you give a little background -- where you stayed...how long, etc.  

 

 

Hi

 

Although the question not asked of me, I will give a view, from a Thailand resident POV. v. VN tourist

 

In VN talking of Saigon and Vung Tau.

Saigon, plenty of choices of restaurants/bars.

Meals out ( western type )  cheaper. Service levels, way higher.

Beer/wine cheaper.

 

Roads safer.

Better communication skills.

Transport, only used taxis, they were OK.

Accomodation, hotels seemed a touch cheaper.

 

No idea on medical costs/standards, fortunately never had to find out.

 

I found the people there to be generally nice.

 

Worth a visit 

 

IMO

 

 

6 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

I don't think the Thai authorities realize how their visa requirements are repelling current, and future, expats and retirees.

 

I think some people would disagree and say that they very much realize the effect of their visa requirements, and they hope the mission of repelling such farang will be accomplished before too long. Don't forget that in the eyes of many Thais, we are the sole cause of all and any problems the country has. 

On 7/23/2019 at 5:18 PM, marcusarelus said:

The reverse.  Rich people are hurt the most by the high baht because exports are down. 

fewer exports hurt the poor farmers and those working in the factories etc the most

 

6 minutes ago, seasia said:

Hi

 

Although the question not asked of me, I will give a view, from a Thailand resident POV. v. VN tourist

 

In VN talking of Saigon and Vung Tau.

Saigon, plenty of choices of restaurants/bars.

Meals out ( western type )  cheaper. Service levels, way higher.

Beer/wine cheaper.

 

Roads safer.

Better communication skills.

Transport, only used taxis, they were OK.

Accomodation, hotels seemed a touch cheaper.

 

No idea on medical costs/standards, fortunately never had to find out.

 

I found the people there to be generally nice.

 

Worth a visit 

 

IMO

 

 

Thank you for that.

 

It certainly varies a lot from the other post. It's funny how people's perspectives can be so different -- a matter of circumstance and expectations, I assume. 

 

I will visit and hope to add my impression of the place before too long.  

14 hours ago, Essecola said:

Accomodation is 1.5 - 2 times more expensive in Vn whilst getting less

In the last year,

Double room with aircon is around $10-$15 in Vietnam.

Stayed in Vang Tau ($10 no tv), Saigon ($10 no tv & $20 tv+breakfast) and Da Nang ($15 with cable TV and shared kitchen).

Plenty of double room aircon with breakfast for two in Hoi An for $12.

 

You must be staying in very cheap Thai rooms.