Hi.. I need some advice regarding traveling to Thailand or Vietnam etc.. I am planing to go in October for 15th days; only as a couple. But we want to do water /beach tours /lodging plus some cultural things ..
I am debating about what this two countries or areas will be more affordable and worse it. Plus if it is better to take a tour ( agency like G adventure or any other advice) or just do it on my own?
Please any advice will be grateful
Thank you

Do it on your own its super easy, they are both affordable and offer different things, just making sure you know you’ll need a visa for Vietnam

Sammy last time I looked at Vietnam requirements it says must be part of a tour?!

Mandy when i went 10 years ago i had to apply for my visa on my own and it was $90 but i didn’t do a tour

Sammy yes I understand that but with Covid entry requirements today it says part of a tour

Mandy ok was just giving you a heads up from my experience not sure what the requirements are now sorry

Thailand is great. Been a few times. Koh Samui is a wonderful place. Has everything you are looking for.
Please spend time in Bangkok. That city is crazy amazing.

We all hope that covid restrictions are lifted by then, but note that Vietnam has been closed to tourists for many many months (so far)

Shannon it’s open now, my friend just arrived there ..,

Debi can you connect me with them please? I am also trying to book.

Usually not a tour traveller (in fact had never done one till this one) , but did 18 day tour with Exoticca Travel prepandemic. Bangkok, Cambodia and Vietnam. For the price we paid, we could not have done it on our own or seen as much. The tour guides they subcontract to were amazing and always available if we had questions on our free time. Hotels were in great locations and more than we expected, small groups, there were only 10 of us total. Will definitely be going back to Vietnam at some point, but now know where I’d like to avoid and spend more time.

Jana sounds like a good tour! Did you happen to get to Hoi An? That was my favorite place in the North half of Vietnam! Just need to go back and see the South half now, hopefully sooner rather than later

Richard, we did. Hoi An was one of my favourites. Also Ho Chi Minh, Hue and Halong Bay. The tour included all the jumper flights, so we were able to see lots.

I totally enjoyed both countries for very different experiences. We’ve been five times to Thailand and it’s a very easy country to navigate on your own. We usually spend a couple of days in Bangkok but most of our time on islands. Unlike many people I wouldn’t return to Ko Samui because I think it’s the most touristy and crowded, but each to their own.
Vietnam was a total surprise and such an interesting place to see. Please p.m. me if you want lots of advice, more than I can write on one post.
Best advice though….only take carryon luggage. If you want to spend time on any small islands you will travel on some small boats and might disembark right on the beach, climbing down a ladder into knee deep water. You won’t need many clothes or shoes anyway.

Omg you all are amazing !!! Thank you so muchhh for all the advice.. I will definitely contact you Cathy for advice… ty all

Both are very affordable and easy/safe to tour around by yourselves, but with only 15 days you may want to go with a pre-organized tour to make your lives easier, otherwise it’s a lot of short term planning for flights, taxis, hotels, day tours etc. I’ve heard good things about Intrepid travel tours but never used them myself.
With that said, it is definitely doable on your own if you create a schedule in advance and plan everything on it. Most hotels offer group tours from local companies that they can organize for you, even last minute/next day, and will often hold your luggage securely if you’re doing a night or two away but returning to the same hotel.
I enjoyed Thailand but preferred Vietnam as it seemed less touristy, more peaceful and the people were even lovelier.
In Thailand, Other than Bangkok and the islands, I’d also recommend Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai in the north if you have time (short cheap flight). And in Vietnam Ha Long Bay and Hoi An were my favourites, Hoi An is an incredible town…would also recommend the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai for a traditional Hmong village homestay and rice field mountain hiking if you have time.
Be aware that jet lag will hit you the first few days and also many hotels will want to hold onto your passports during your stay.
Also highly recommend picking up the lonely planet guide books for these countries - so much valuable information on anything and everything you can think of in those guide books!

Richard agreed about jet lag and having only 15 days does make it a tight schedule to get a lot done.

Richard - Second picking up Lonely Planet.

I have a great tour organizer in Vietnam who can organize as much or as little as you like. She is extremely reasonable and will work within your budget. PM me if you would like her contact details.

Sheila please dm me with info

We have spent almost every winter
(5 months at a time) in Thailand since 2013 with the exception of the last 2 winters due to the pandemic. Thailand is very easy to visit on your own. There are so many places to see, too numerous to list! We also spent a month or so traveling through Vietnam - north to south. I have a blog and have written a lot about both countries along with lots of photos if you want to have a look.
www.free2explore.ca
Feel free to pm me if you have questions
FREE2EXPLORE.CA
free2explore

We went to both countries and used Buffalo Tours (now called Discova). They were outstanding and tailored everything to our wishes. They looked after everything from tours, flights and accommodations. I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Patty I second Buffalo Tours. We don't normally travel on a tour, Vietnam was an exception. We were able to see way more and travel way more quickly using them at a really reasonable price. We went from HCM City to Sapa and saw most everything in between. They arranged everything including domestic flights, boats, restaurants etc etc. Still in touch with our guide!

You need to double your time.

Totally agree!!!

We did Vietnam on our own 2 years ago. Had no problems. Such a great country. We prebooked most of our little hotels, had such nice people and very reasonable. We were there for 16 days. Yes went HoiAn). Even traveled on the night bus, was so good.

Chiangmai Mai was wonderful….Elephant Sanctuary was great but missed the ocean.

Yanela Benítez Benigni

For beach and water, Thailand is better! Both are amazing but I would stick to one country and do Thailand. You can easily do some time in the south on the islands and then go up to the North for some mountains.

What ever you do, try not to pack too many places into your short stay. Short flights in Vietnam are cheap and easy but you miss all the interesting car or bus travel in between. Big cities have lots to offer but, generally, better experiences come from smaller places(In my opinion). If you want a real experience go extreme north in Vietnam to Bac Ha and rent a motorbike for 5 US for the day and drive right up to the Chinese border and visit markets and enjoy the rice terraces along the way. Many of the villages have weekly markets and if you stay in Bac Ha they will tell you where the markets are. An amazing experience. If you have MapsMe on your phone you can not get lost. There is a night train to Sapa(close to Bah Ha) from Hanoi. Night trains are great ways to save on accommodation and get where you are going quickly while you sleep.

Following

Both are great options and very affordable. The first question you need to answer is what are the current entry requirements.I last checked a few days ago and us regulars can't enter Vietnam and in Bali your looking at a 10 day quarantine. I'm currently in Mexico for 5 weeks. I chose Mexico because they don't require a quarantine.
If COVID isn't a factor I'd choose Vietnam over Bali personally. Also don't spilt your time. 15 days isn't enough time for 1 of those countries in my opinion.

Kayla Thailand

We loved our trip to Vietnam. Hands down what made it great with our travel agent based in Hanoi. Hanspan

Thiland is not as cheap as Vietnam, go to phu qua small island in Vietnam, hoi Ann beautiful beaches ,

Smiling Albino is amazing

Vietnam use this tour company. They are incredible and Vietnam is cheaper than Thailand.

https://onetripwithlocal.com
ONETRIPWITHLOCAL.COM
OneTrip with Local - OneTrip with Local

I did Vietnam with G Adventures five years ago, the cost was very reasonable, it was nice to not have to waste time getting around as transfers and transportation were all arranged. We saw and stayed in some amazing places and our guide was awesome. I find you learn so much more traveling that way than on your own.