Vietnam vs Thailand for Indian Travelers: Which Is Cheaper, Easier, Better? [2026]

Category: Destination Guides

Quick answer: Vietnam is cheaper on the ground and now simpler on paperwork after Thailand ended its 60-day visa-free entry for Indians in mid-2026 (Indians now use a Visa on Arrival of about 2,000 THB for 15 days, or a tourist e-visa). Thailand still wins on flight options, nightlife, and island variety. Budget ₹50,000-80,000 for 6-7 days in either. Pick Vietnam for value, scenery, and food; pick Thailand for beaches, nightlife, and convenience.

Last updated: July 2026

For years this comparison had an easy tiebreaker: Thailand let Indians in visa-free for 60 days, Vietnam made you fill out an e-visa. That tiebreaker is gone. In May 2026, Thailand's Cabinet approved scrapping the 60-day visa exemption, moving Indian passport holders to a paid Visa on Arrival. Suddenly the two most popular Southeast Asian destinations for Indians are competing on level ground, and the answer to "which one?" depends entirely on what kind of trip you want.

Here is the honest, category-by-category comparison.

Visas in 2026: The Big Change

Thailand: The 60-day visa-free scheme for Indians ended after the Thai Cabinet's May 2026 decision. Indians now fall under Visa on Arrival: about 2,000 THB (roughly ₹5,500-5,900), payable in Thai Baht cash at the airport, for a stay of up to 15 days. Staying longer means applying for a tourist e-visa in advance (60 days). Everyone must also complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before arrival. Rules were still being finalised in the Royal Gazette at the time of writing, so check the Royal Thai Embassy's latest notice before you book.

Vietnam: Unchanged and simple. E-visa at the official portal, USD 25 (about ₹2,200), 3-5 working days, valid up to 90 days.

Verdict: Vietnam, and it is not close anymore. The Vietnam e-visa is cheaper than Thailand's VoA and removes airport queue anxiety entirely.

Flights from India

Thailand: Unbeatable connectivity. Direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket from a dozen Indian cities on IndiGo, Air India, Thai Airways, and multiple budget carriers. Return fares from ₹12,000-18,000 to Bangkok when booked ahead. Flight time about 4 hours.

Vietnam: Good and improving. Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on VietJet, Vietnam Airlines, and IndiGo, typically ₹14,000-22,000 return.

Verdict: Thailand, especially if you live outside the metros.

Daily Costs on the Ground

A comfortable mid-range day (3-star hotel, restaurant meals, a tour or activity, local transport):

  • Vietnam: ₹3,500-5,000 per day
  • Thailand: ₹4,500-6,500 per day

Street food meals cost ₹100-200 in Vietnam versus ₹150-300 in Thailand. Local beer is about half the Thai price. Tours, massages, and taxis all lean cheaper in Vietnam.

Verdict: Vietnam, by 15-30% across the board.

Beaches and Islands

Thailand: The deeper bench. Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao: every budget and vibe, with slick ferry networks connecting them.

Vietnam: Da Nang's long sandy stretch, Phu Quoc island's resorts, and Nha Trang hold their own, and Ha Long Bay offers a seascape Thailand simply has no answer to. But island-hopping culture is thinner.

Verdict: Thailand for beach-first trips; Vietnam if one great beach plus Ha Long Bay is enough.

Food

Both are world-class. Thailand's hits (pad thai, green curry, mango sticky rice) are familiar to most Indian palates, and Indian restaurants are everywhere in tourist zones. Vietnam's food is lighter, herb-forward, and arguably the best-value cuisine in Asia: pho, banh mi, bun cha, and coffee culture that deserves its own trip. Vegetarians manage in both with a little effort; Thai kitchens understand "no fish sauce" requests in tourist areas, while Vietnamese Buddhist "com chay" eateries are a reliable vegetarian hack.

Verdict: Tie. Thailand for familiarity, Vietnam for discovery.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket run the most developed nightlife scene in Southeast Asia: rooftop bars, night markets, cabaret shows, full moon parties. Vietnam's scene (Bui Vien street in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi's beer corners) is fun but smaller and closes earlier.

Verdict: Thailand, clearly.

Crowds and "Freshness"

Thailand hosted roughly ten times more Indian travelers than Vietnam over the past few years, and it shows: familiar, comfortable, and crowded. Vietnam still feels like a discovery, with fewer touts, fewer crowds at headline sights, and better photo-to-people ratios.

Verdict: Vietnam if you want to feel like a traveler rather than a tourist.

The Verdict by Traveler Type

  • First international trip: Thailand
  • Tightest budget: Vietnam
  • Honeymoon, resort style: Thailand (Krabi or Samui)
  • Honeymoon, experience style: Vietnam (Ha Long cruise + Hoi An)
  • Group of friends / nightlife: Thailand
  • Scenery and food lovers: Vietnam
  • Family with kids: Thailand for infrastructure, Vietnam for costs

See Both as Real Itineraries

The fastest way to decide is to look at an actual plan side by side. Open these ready itineraries on TripVexa, then customise days, budget, and hotels in plain English:

  • <a href="https://www.tripvexa.com/chat?q=5%20day%20vietnam%20itinerary%20hanoi%20and%20ha%20long%20bay%20under%2070%20thousand">5-day Vietnam itinerary: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay under ₹70,000</a>
  • <a href="https://www.tripvexa.com/chat?q=5%20day%20bangkok%20and%20pattaya%20itinerary%20under%2080%20thousand">5-day Bangkok and Pattaya itinerary under ₹80,000</a>

For deeper dives, read our full Vietnam travel guide for Indians and our Thailand vs Bali comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand? Yes, on the ground. Hotels, food, beer, and tours in Vietnam run 15-30% cheaper than equivalent options in Thailand. Flights from India are usually slightly cheaper to Thailand due to more competition, so total trip costs end up close: roughly ₹50,000-70,000 for 6-7 days in Vietnam versus ₹55,000-80,000 in Thailand.

Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026? The rules changed in mid-2026. Thailand's Cabinet approved ending the 60-day visa-free entry that Indians had enjoyed since 2024. India moved to the Visa on Arrival category: about 2,000 THB (roughly ₹5,500-5,900, cash) for a stay of up to 15 days, or apply for a tourist e-visa in advance for a 60-day stay. Everyone must also complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before flying. Check the Royal Thai Embassy's latest notice before booking.

Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam? Yes, the Vietnam e-visa: USD 25 (about ₹2,200) for single entry, applied online at the official government portal, approved in 3-5 working days, valid up to 90 days. No embassy visit needed.

Which is better for a honeymoon, Vietnam or Thailand? Thailand for classic beach-resort honeymoons: Krabi, Koh Samui, and Phuket have deeper luxury resort inventory and easier island logistics. Vietnam for couples who want variety over resorts: Ha Long Bay cruises, Hoi An's lantern-lit old town, and Da Nang's beaches at lower prices.

Which is better for a first international trip? Thailand remains slightly easier for first-timers: more direct flights from more Indian cities, larger Indian-food footprint, and highly polished tourism infrastructure. Vietnam rewards a bit more planning with lower costs and fewer crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand?

Yes, on the ground. Hotels, food, beer, and tours in Vietnam run 15-30% cheaper than equivalent options in Thailand. Flights from India are usually slightly cheaper to Thailand due to more competition, so total trip costs end up close: roughly ₹50,000-70,000 for 6-7 days in Vietnam versus ₹55,000-80,000 in Thailand.

Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026?

The rules changed in mid-2026. Thailand's Cabinet approved ending the 60-day visa-free entry that Indians had enjoyed since 2024. India moved to the Visa on Arrival category: about 2,000 THB (roughly ₹5,500-5,900, cash) for a stay of up to 15 days, or apply for a tourist e-visa in advance for a 60-day stay. Everyone must also complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before flying. Check the Royal Thai Embassy's latest notice before booking, as implementation details were still settling at the time of writing.

Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?

Yes, the Vietnam e-visa: USD 25 (about ₹2,200) for single entry, applied online at the official government portal, approved in 3-5 working days, valid up to 90 days. No embassy visit needed.

Which is better for a honeymoon, Vietnam or Thailand?

Thailand for classic beach-resort honeymoons: Krabi, Koh Samui, and Phuket have deeper luxury resort inventory and easier island logistics. Vietnam for couples who want variety over resorts: Ha Long Bay cruises, Hoi An's lantern-lit old town, and Da Nang's beaches at lower prices.

Which is better for a first international trip?

Thailand remains slightly easier for first-timers: more direct flights from more Indian cities, larger Indian-food footprint, and highly polished tourism infrastructure. Vietnam rewards a bit more planning with lower costs and fewer crowds.

Plan your trip on TripVexa — India's AI-powered travel planner with hotel booking and INR budgets.