I have been living in Thailand for the past 15 yrs now. The main reasons I am here is because it is cheap, there is world class shopping, hospitals, restaurants, a good variety of imported foods, safety and the people are very nice. The draw back for me now has been the feeling of not being welcome by the government and the way they treat foreigners here (much like a criminal in my opinion). This constant need to report where you are gives me a feeling the government sees me as guilty until proven otherwise.

 

In regards to Vietnam, I first visited Ho Chi Minh City about 8yrs ago I thought was the most boring city I have ever visited and I never wanted to go back. Hanoi had some character but still a dump in my opinion.

Since then I have visited Hoi An, Dalat and Sapa in the high mountains. I have also returned to Ho Chi Minh this year for a visa run. 

I have to say I am impressed to see how things have changed for the better over in HCMC. The traffic is still a mess and there is no BTS (metro) until 2022. 

I still don't see myself living there just yet but I have to say it is becoming a much more attractive option. The new free trade agreement that was approved with the EU will certainly score a lot of points on my list (cheaper western food, wine and spirits AND CARS). Vietnam doesn't have a retirement visa but has very lose visa policies like unlimited visa runs.

 

Bangkok and Thailand is still best choice but there is a new horse in the race and it is closing in quick. It would be interesting to see where these 2 cities and countries will look like in 5yrs.

I spent 1/3 of the past few years in Thailand, 1/3 in Vietnam and the rest elsewhere.

 

Yes, Vietnam is behind Thailand for some conveniences - ie not many luxury condos (yet)

 

But they are investing and building fast.

 

BigC in Vietnam is almost 50% cheaper for the same items in company with Thailand. Wine and beer dirt cheap, food similar.

 

I don't like HCMC personally, but the north and central up to Hue / Danang / HoiAn are great.

 

Personally I prefer VN by a small margin, but this margin is just growing bigger. Just the no hustle visa, super friendly immigration make it worthy. It is becoming pain in the ass to stay in Thailand unless you want to waste 500k on elite visa.

In "The bests places for expats" Vietnam is ranked on place 14 before Thailand on place 18....

 

https://www.atlasandboots.com/remote-jobs/best-countries-for-expats/?fbclid=IwAR0dBYweQtWLWeZSMtrwHzFZDwLsCId0ytpwpggakJ73rwM5f9EDTWy9XdE 

Thailand is cheap?? And Bangkok is a great place to live??????

<deleted>? 

Yes veitnam rocks , after 9 years based in Thailand, I started coming to Vietnam 2 years ago, won't be back in Thailand, drained my account and got the <deleted> out of dodge.

my friend lives in bkk, had to get a mask to breathe, he visited me in Vietnam last winter, he is there at the moment, he is also leaving bkk.

far better value for our money in Nam.

3 hours ago, HeyHeyHey said:

I spent 1/3 of the past few years in Thailand, 1/3 in Vietnam and the rest elsewhere.

 

Yes, Vietnam is behind Thailand for some conveniences - ie not many luxury condos (yet)

 

But they are investing and building fast.

 

BigC in Vietnam is almost 50% cheaper for the same items in company with Thailand. Wine and beer dirt cheap, food similar.

 

I don't like HCMC personally, but the north and central up to Hue / Danang / HoiAn are great.

 

Personally I prefer VN by a small margin, but this margin is just growing bigger. Just the no hustle visa, super friendly immigration make it worthy. It is becoming pain in the ass to stay in Thailand unless you want to waste 500k on elite visa.

How they manage to stay long term when the maximal period is 3 months? The cost for 3-4 border runs a year (if flights are used) may add considerably to the cost of living. Any other option available? 

 

8 hours ago, 3421abc said:

doesn't have a retirement visa but has very lose visa policies like unlimited visa runs

And this loose visa policy will get tight soon enough don't worry about that, probably straight after all the cheap charlie no 800k Thai expats mass migrate. Only a matter of time really

34 minutes ago, GeKoSc said:

In "The bests places for expats" Vietnam is ranked on place 14 before Thailand on place 18....

 

https://www.atlasandboots.com/remote-jobs/best-countries-for-expats/?fbclid=IwAR0dBYweQtWLWeZSMtrwHzFZDwLsCId0ytpwpggakJ73rwM5f9EDTWy9XdE 

Depends where you look of course.

 

I see Thailand as the ultimate number 1, far ahead of Vietnam

 

https://www.educations.com/top-10-lists/top-10-study-abroad-countries-asia-2019-14343

6 minutes ago, SteveK said:

Old white men, with money or without, are seen as a cancer to most Asian nations. When are people going to realise this? Once Thailand uses chemotherapy to remove the cancer, it spreads to Vietnam. They don't want you either and it's only a matter of time until they develop the radiotherapy required to force you out also. It's a sad way of looking at things but it's the truth. These countries want your money, but they don't want you in any way, shape or form. The lovely little thing you married only wants the cash also, so the quicker you kick the bucket the better for everyone involved.

What an unpleasant thing to post , may get deleted 

15 minutes ago, sanemax said:

What an unpleasant thing to post , may get deleted 

Why, cuts too close to the bone?

40 minutes ago, ThePioneer said:

Depends where you look of course.

 

I see Thailand as the ultimate number 1, far ahead of Vietnam

 

https://www.educations.com/top-10-lists/top-10-study-abroad-countries-asia-2019-14343

This study has a different Subject...

 

Reported Troll post and subsequent responses removed.

 

9) You will not post inflammatory messages on the forum, or attempt to disrupt discussions to upset its participants, or trolling. Trolling can be defined as the act of purposefully antagonizing other people on the internet by posting controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.

8 minutes ago, SteveK said:

I'm saying that they are seen as a cancer by governments such as Thailand's, hence all the effort to force them out.

Um, no, literally nobody is suggesting that except for you. I'm a young guy here and the crackdowns affect me too as they spill over to all visa types. But we know that your comment is just about projecting some twisted hateful attitudes.

I apologise if my thoughts were offensive, but people should be more open-minded about things. Thailand is now very xenophobic. To ignore this would be a bit foolish.

I have been in Hanoi this March for a week. The food is good but what they call spicy is a joke. The people are friendly and speak mostly good English. No dual pricing for foreigners. What really annoyed me and made me happy to come back to Thailand is the noisy traffic - beep beep everywhere and always. Could not live there. I´ve heard from other people, that Hanoi is the loudest city but don´t know if it´s true. 

 

Because I am curious I checked some real estate FB groups for nice houses like mine to rent or buy in or around Da Nang. The prices are minimum double than in Chiang Mai. 

 

Vietnamese people are called diligent and with their good English I can imagine that the country will become very successful in the near future. If the people become less selfish in the future, I guess Vietnam will become a good place for companies. Another plus: beer is cheap - but the people like to drink smoothies. So nice to see young people sitting in bars beside the street, talking and having fun without alcohol. 

Thailand VS Vietnam? Which one will be better in 5yrs?

If things continue on the present path I would say unquestionably Vietnam. My own hopes are that Thailand will be better in 5 years because change will have come about, a lot of Thai's hurting too not just expats. If change doesn't come then I doubt there will enough people left here to populate a forum.

Personally I think Vietnam is already ahead of Thailand in many ways. Although Thailand is more modern in some sense, often it's done half-assed and doesn't work well - city planning (or the lack thereof) for example. The main international airports in Vietnam (Hanoi, Saigon and Da Nang) are smaller than BKK, but work quite well and Vietnam Airlines is expanding with service far better than Thai Airways.

The people are great, much in the same way most Thais are, but I feel they are more genuine in their friendship. Yeah there are tourist scams, but that's a worldwide problem. 

Food is a push - both are fantastic. Although cheaper in Vietnam, with better options for Western food in my opinion.

The Vietnamese are hard working, industrious, resourceful people. Thais, let's just say, not so much. The Viet government is a Socialist controlling mess, but seems to be hands off as long as you don't cross the line. The Thai government is a controlling mess that continually screws with you and makes things difficult. Healthcare in Vietnam is scary, so Thailand wins on that front.

Vietnam is also much more open to foreigners and foreign business, it is becoming a good second option to China. 

Vietnam is moving forward at a rapid pace - Thailand is in reverse in fifth gear!

Beware of "the grass is greener" fallacy.

11 hours ago, GeKoSc said:

How they manage to stay long term when the maximal period is 3 months? The cost for 3-4 border runs a year (if flights are used) may add considerably to the cost of living. Any other option available? 

Americans can get a 1 year VISA.

10 hours ago, Genmai said:

Jeez what the heck is this? Old white men are a cancer? As opposed to old black men or old white women? Nothing truthful about your disgusting comment, I think you've gone a bit wonky from the heat.

When a 1000+ posts member writes something like this I really wonder if we have a problem in this community...

It's ok to have a go at white men - didn't you get the memo? If he'd said the same thing about black, brown, or Jewish men the thought police would be all over it and off to the gulag for diversity re-education. White men are the cause of all the world's problems apparently.

Most people still think of Vietnam as some the village pictured in movies in the 80s, you need to google Search the City of Danang and watch Youtube Videos about it and you would be amazed. it is Way much cleaner and Better than Pattaya or Phuket. If you love a clean city with High rise condo's and hotels overlooking a clean serene beach, then there's nothing to hate  about Danang.

 

   Visa wise, those married to locals either real or arranged, get a 5 year visa. Which we all have to agree is fxcking impressive, while their counterparts in Thailand get 11 months and 2 weeks before they start running helter skelter for another 11month 2 weeks visa.

 

   Those with registered company get issued visas in 3 years, English Teachers get 2 years but could get three years. English teachers in most schools vietnam get an equivalent of 50k Baht per month compared to 30k per month in Thailand with all the police checks, insults and no peace of mind.

 

   Everyone else can get a 1 year Business Visa to chill in the country for 300 USD, renewable every year for the same price, or just border hop every 3 months on tourist visas.

 

   In vietnam the words are written in Latin alphabets so you can remember signs or writings and be able know what the hell is written on signs without someone telling you.

 

   If you're looking for a street with gogos lined up you wouldnt find that in Vietnam though, but if pxussy is what is keeping you here and you can read and write, then you can catch on the web. There are red light districts across different cities in the  country though.

 

   There are still not that many foreigners in Vietnam but it's slowing building up.

 

   I think looking for peace mind and not wanting to put up with a Police state with annoying immigration laws, then Vietnam is already better than Thailand. Even the Thais would tell you that!

 

  Again if you're in thailand and over 50 a retire and have about 3million Baht in the Bank, do not intend on doing business in Thailand and don't mind doing the 90 day and the TM 30 every time you leave your province, then Thailand isnt that Bad. Everyone else who's not that checklist above has no reason to pick Thailand over vietnam. There's a clear winner!

 

  

 

i also hated the noisy beep beeps and bad driving in vietnam.

pedestrian crossings are far more dangerous than thailand...

im going to HCMC and vung tau, in september...it will be interesting to see if there is any 'appeal' for me...

in past visits, ive never 'played' with the girls, hoping to get some experience this time round.

i think thai girls are hard to beat...once a man learns not to be a 'cash cow' for them..

7 minutes ago, jessebkk1 said:

There are still not that many foreigners in Vietnam but it's slowing building up.

There were plenty of Chinese and Koreans there last month.

11 hours ago, SteveK said:

How many old black men or old white women are ex-pats in Thailand?

 

I'm not saying that old white guys are cancer. I'm saying that they are seen as a cancer by governments such as Thailand's, hence all the effort to force them out. Please read my post before posting stupid comments.

I see plenty of black men and white woman expats where I live, just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there, please comment on facts you know and don’t assume. I don’t have any problems with the Thai government’s visa requirements they are easy to obtain.

26 minutes ago, murraynz said:

i also hated the noisy beep beeps and bad driving in vietnam.

pedestrian crossings are far more dangerous than thailand...

im going to HCMC and vung tau, in september...it will be interesting to see if there is any 'appeal' for me...

in past visits, ive never 'played' with the girls, hoping to get some experience this time round.

i think thai girls are hard to beat...once a man learns not to be a 'cash cow' for them..

Crossing the road is far easier in Vietnam........IF you do as the locals do. Step onto the road while looking at the traffic and walk slowly and deliberately across the road, the traffic will avoid you. Unnerving at first, but it does work. I would not try that in Thailand!  

57 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Americans can get a 1 year VISA.

It does not apply to my situation.

1 hour ago, jessebkk1 said:

if you're in thailand and over 50 a retire and have about 3million Baht in the Bank, do not intend on doing business in Thailand and don't mind doing the 90 day and the TM 30 every time you leave your province, then Thailand isnt that Bad. Everyone else who's not that checklist above has no reason to pick Thailand over vietnam.

Concur 100%

Some may say VN is better now but who knows in 5 years that will be the case?

I’ve been visiting VN for many years to the north, south, mountains and central areas. I really enjoy my 2 or 3 visits a year but as much as I like it here I don’t want live here (I’m in Vietnam now). 

The country is progressing rapidly and I believe it will overtake Thailand in not too many years. The attitude towards foreigners both as expats and investors is much better than Thailand. The Vietnamese mind is much more open, they’re willing to listen and learn without feeling a loss of face.

To be honest I wish I felt I could live here but for now, even with the negativity towards us getting ever more prevalent, Thailand is still where I want to live

12 hours ago, SteveK said:

Hit a nerve?

You really are a thoroughly unpleasant person, who clearly has a mental  issue.  It has nothing to do with hitting nerves or such like, it's called respecting you fellow human being, whether they be black, white, buddhist, christian, old, young, male, female, trans.  Please go to another website to do you disgusting ranting.  You are not wanted on here.........do you hear!!!!

for me it depends on which country offers the best hassle free cheap visa, and if the visa situation is prone to change or if i can reliably lay down and wait for death without anyone disturbing,

least of all immigration