Vietnam
Thailand's mix of beaches, mountains and street food — with less of the crowd
Estimated daily budget
€20–40
Estimated 7-day budget (flights excluded)
€140–280
Why it's an alternative to Thailand
Beaches, temples, incredible street food and vibrant cities, with spots that still feel undiscovered.
Vietnam offers the same mix of beaches, mountains, incredible street food and historic towns that made Thailand a household name — with bays like Ha Long and towns like Hoi An that still have corners the mass-tourism trail hasn't reached.
We're not saying they're identical — they share the core experience you're after, with their own differences.
Must-see spots
Ha Long Bay
Thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea — a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hoi An
An old town of colorful lanterns, local tailors and standout street food.
Sa Pa
Terraced rice fields in the northern mountains, home to several hill-tribe communities.
Things to do
- • Overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay
- • Take a street food cooking class in Hoi An
- • Trek the rice terraces around Sa Pa
- • Explore the Mekong Delta by boat
- • Ride the Hai Van Pass by motorbike
Vietnam vs Thailand
Vietnam
Thailand 🇹🇭
7-day cost
€140–280
7-day cost
Typically much higher (check current prices)
Crowds
Medium — getting known, but with plenty of uncrowded corners
Crowds
High during peak season
The experience
Beaches, temples, incredible street food and vibrant cities, with spots that still feel undiscovered.
The experience
The original — hence the fame, and the price tag
Estimated total incl. flights
vs Thailand
You save approximately €415 (~33%)
Estimated budget for 7 days
Flights not included. These are rough estimates and can vary depending on dates and travel style.
What stands out
- +Outstanding, cheap food
- +Hugely varied scenery (bays, rice terraces, the Mekong Delta)
- +Well-developed tourist infrastructure
Worth knowing
- –A long, narrow country — expect internal flights or long train rides
- –Chaotic traffic in big cities
- –Some spots already crowded (Ha Long, Hoi An)
Best time to visit
Tropical monsoon climate, highly variable north to south; best to avoid typhoon season (Jul-Sep) in the center.
Who it's for
- 👤 Travelers who've done Thailand and want something similarly rich
- 👤 Street food fans
- 👤 Backpackers with time to cover a long, narrow country
Safety
Safe for tourists; take extra care crossing streets and around motorbike traffic.