Vietnam losing it's Edge -- Is Thailand the next great spot??

[Quentin Zen]

🇹🇭 1. More Developed Tourism Infrastructure

Thailand has been a top global tourist destination for decades. Its hotels, transport, tour services, and medical tourism are well-developed and more accessible in English.

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🍜 2. More International Cuisine Variety

In major Thai cities, especially Bangkok, you can find a wide range of international food (Japanese, Western, Indian, etc.) that is authentic and easily accessible.

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🚗 3. Better Road and Air Transport

Thailand generally has better highways, domestic flights, and train options. Travel between regions is smoother compared to Vietnam’s often traffic-clogged routes.

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🏥 4. Higher Quality Healthcare (Especially Private)

Thailand’s private hospitals are world-class and attract medical tourists. Vietnamese healthcare is improving but still lags behind in international-standard service.

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😎 5. More Expat-Friendly Services

Thailand has a longer history as an expat haven. It’s easier to find English-speaking staff, expat communities, legal services, and international schools.

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🛍️ 6. More Modern Shopping Options

Thailand has massive shopping malls, high-end retail centers, and better access to international brands compared to Vietnam.

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🎉 7. Nightlife and Entertainment Scene

Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket offer a famously vibrant nightlife that is more developed and varied than what most cities in Vietnam offer.

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🏖️ 8. More Famous Beach Destinations

While Vietnam has beautiful coasts, Thailand has world-renowned islands like Phuket, Koh Samui, and Krabi with extensive tourism support.

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🧘 9. Cultural Tourism and Wellness

Thailand is globally known for traditional massage, meditation retreats, temples, and Muay Thai training, all of which are better promoted and packaged for tourists.

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💸 10. Easier to Navigate Without Vietnamese Language

While both countries have language barriers, Thailand tends to be more navigable in English, especially in tourist areas, hospitals, and cities.

 

 

Absolutely — Thailand is often considered better than Vietnam specifically because of its retirement visa. Here's a breakdown:

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✅ Thailand’s Retirement Visa Advantage

🇹🇭 1. Official Retirement Visa Program

Thailand offers a clear, long-term retirement visa:

• Non-Immigrant O-A Visa: 1-year stay, renewable annually.

• Non-Immigrant O-X Visa: 5-year stay (for some nationalities), renewable once.

Vietnam does not currently offer a dedicated retirement visa.

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💰 2. Straightforward Financial Requirements

Thailand’s visa requirements are well-defined:

• Age 50+

• 800,000 THB in a Thai bank (~$22,000 USD) or

• Monthly income of 65,000 THB (~$1,800 USD)

Vietnam, by contrast, offers no official retirement visa. Long-term stay often requires business setups, education sponsorships, or marriage.

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📄 3. Simple Annual Renewal (in Thailand)

Renewing a Thai retirement visa is routine with basic documentation. In Vietnam, long-term stay often involves gray-area workarounds that can change suddenly.

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🏥 4. Private Health Insurance Accepted

Thailand requires health insurance (for some visas) and has a strong network of international hospitals. This supports retirees' medical needs far better than Vietnam.

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🧳 5. Retiree Communities Are Established

Thailand has large retiree hubs: Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket. Services, housing, and community support are built around expats and retirees.

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Summary:
✅ Thailand has official, long-stay retirement options that are easy to understand and access.
❌ Vietnam does not have a formal retirement visa, making it harder (and riskier) for retirees to settle long-term.

Would you like help comparing the actual visa process step-by-step?

[Quentin Zen]

Its, not it's.

 

fail.  

 

That's what happens when you use ChatGPT for everything, you turn your brain off.  

 

no worries, enjoy.    

 

 

[1happykamper]

The OP has the statement backwards. 

 

Thailand.. After being in the hospitality biz for 40 years has lost its edge. 

 

Vietnam, in just a few years ..10?... is catching up with lazy Thailand hospitality biz 

 

Thai have lost their smile, can't blame them with the influx of dross of humanity and the lousy job the current sdmin is doing. 

 

Viet people are generally friendly, warm and curious 

[Cameroni]

2 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

Viet people are generally friendly, warm and curious 

 

I thought they were rude, aggressive, cold and unhelpful?

[JBChiangRai]

I prefer to live in Thailand but holiday in Vietnam.

 

On the subject of beaches, they may not be famous, but the beaches in Vietnam are significantly better than the beaches in Thailand.

[MalcolmB]

54 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

I thought they were rude, aggressive, cold and unhelpful?

South or North? Chalk and cheese.

[JimmyJake]

2 hours ago, Quentin Zen said:

In major Thai cities, especially Bangkok, you can find a wide range of international food (Japanese, Western, Indian, etc.) that is authentic and easily accessible.

 

You haven't spent much time in Vietnam if you think there is not a wide range of international food available in the big cities.  There is no problem finding high quality Japanese, western, Indian in any big city there.

[frank83628]

Vietnam isnt a patch on Thailand, 

[novacova]

3 hours ago, Quentin Zen said:

That's what happens when you use ChatGPT for everything, you turn your brain off.

Then don’t post unless you’re using your brain.

[Cameroni]

2 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

South or North? Chalk and cheese.

 

North. I still have to make it to my dream island there.

[Lorry]

13 hours ago, Cameroni said:

 

I thought they were rude, aggressive, cold and unhelpful?

Yes, towards you.

[freedomnow]

14 hours ago, 1happykamper said:

The OP has the statement backwards. 

 

Thailand.. After being in the hospitality biz for 40 years has lost its edge. 

 

Vietnam, in just a few years ..10?... is catching up with lazy Thailand hospitality biz 

 

Thai have lost their smile, can't blame them with the influx of dross of humanity and the lousy job the current sdmin is doing. 

 

Viet people are generally friendly, warm and curious 

I'll take Thais any day over Viets...sneaky, beggers, hawkers, closed off to foreigners, clip you at every turn, honk their horns like Indians.

[Cameroni]

38 minutes ago, Lorry said:

Yes, towards you.

 

Bad move.

 

My moneee build their country.

[Cameroni]

1 minute ago, freedomnow said:

I'll take Thais any day over Viets...sneaky, beggers, hawkers, closed off to foreigners, clip you at every turn, honk their horns like Indians.

 

Plus they are worse fraudsters than Indians.

 

And they laugh behind your back when you tip them. For being stupid.

 

Truly awful people, these Vietnamese.

[freedomnow]

10 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Plus they are worse fraudsters than Indians.

 

And they laugh behind your back when you tip them. For being stupid.

 

Truly awful people, these Vietnamese.

If you are agreeing with me, then I love Viets.

[Cameroni]

8 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

If you are agreeing with me, then I love Viets.

 

No surprise. Hate always comes from the very bottom.