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

[Andycoops 391]

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

[Fairynuff 3,113]

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

[robertson468 1,770]

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!!!!

[brokenbone 3,466]

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

[TPI 1,496]

You've got to be kidding! BKK over HCMP 55555555! VN is just sooo much better!

[newnative 4,501]

   Can you own a condo in Vietnam in your name as a foreigner?  I thought that wasn't allowed but maybe it has changed.  I always have to own.

[NanLaew 20,076]

13 hours ago, madmen said:

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

Vietnam did a major rejig of their visa policy and structure in 2014. Generally it introduced more controls on those working legally there. Outside of ASEAN member state visitors, in subsequent years they've expanded the visa-on-arrival scheme to allow visitors of several nationalities visa-exempt entry (proof of return ticket required by airline and inbound immigration). This has enabled a lot of those looking for a viable, regional alternative to Thailand ample opportunity to check multiple venues. I would hope that Vietnam immigration would continue to be pro-active in their immigration law changes and enforcement versus Thailand's years of laxity that, in conjunction with lack of oversight by (among others) the Department of Education and the complete misunderstanding of the tourist market by TAT, has brought them to this current, knee-jerk reaction.

 

My observations over several years working in and traveling around Vietnam, they also suffered from hordes of bucket tour Russians and bargain basement Chinese groups, especially in their primary beach vacation destinations. More recently, there's been a moderation of both that indicates a quieter, more mature, more family oriented Russian and Chinese tourist demographic.

[Curmudgeonly59 193]

7 minutes ago, Andycoops said:

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

Correct - but as there's a hypothetical question in the original post and the quote uses the present tense, I concur with the quote.  Five years from now? All bets are off. Regardless; present or future, it all depends on what the person wants:

 

English levels?

VN is better by far, mainly because of an effective education system and the employment of qualified native speakers to teach English. Thailand constantly amazes with its consistently rock bottom E levels.

Food?

Close call but VN, mainly because of the health factor (less oil & fat in the cooking) and price.

Work?

VN wins. Why? Work ethic - as in... the Vietnamese have one.

Interpersonal visuals?

Obviously personal opinion but VN by far, except for the dental situation.

Traffic?

Both places horrendous but in different ways. Taxis? Jump in a cab in HCMC or other major cities and they just switch on the meter and go - no whining, snivelling, wheedling and bargaining. But noise levels in Vietnam are cacophonous, so Thailand wins.

Cost of living?

Simple: VN wins - it's cheaper than Thailand.

World view?

VN wins by far - they've learned the hard way. Even reasonably well educated Thais will often become quite threatened when trying to locate given countries on a world map. 

 

So, a hypothetical five years from now? Thailand. Why? Rate of development in VN makes it too unpredictable. But get in to real estate now, if that's your need, before the Koreans & Chinese buy everything.

 

 

[yimlitnoy 385]

13 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.

Very unplaisant is his norm, when they go low we go high! 

[ronaldo0 857]

From being in da nang and hoi an and looking at the roads, airports, service ,beaches ,politeness ,price and cleanliness of everything I would say 5 years time Thailand will still be spouting lies about tourist numbers and trying to work out where everyone went !!

[Kurtf 567]

Thailand is ruled by a dictatorship irrespective of what they try to sell you as a democracy. VN is a communist country. So take your pick. If I had a choice I think I’d pick VN where my money would go farther. Thailand has made it painfully obvious to the most casual observer that they do not want farangs and I don’t want to live where I am not wanted or appreciated for how much I contribute to the society.

[Curmudgeonly59 193]

49 minutes ago, newnative said:

   Can you own a condo in Vietnam in your name as a foreigner?  I thought that wasn't allowed but maybe it has changed.  I always have to own.

Yes you can. Restrictions but easy to research.

[canuckamuck 29,973]

Obviously one country is steadily improving, and the other is stumbling over its own greed and making everything worse in the race to fill their pockets. In 5 years and people will feel sorry for the Thai expats.

[Curmudgeonly59 193]

1 hour ago, brokenbone said:

or if i can reliably lay down and wait for death without anyone disturbing

That's a problem - VN is the noisier of two inherently noisy countries. If simply waiting for death, I'd plump for a soundproof bunker in Thailand, next to a 90 day reporting facility. 

[phkauf 1,261]

17 minutes ago, Kurtf said:

Thailand is ruled by a dictatorship irrespective of what they try to sell you as a democracy. VN is a communist country. So take your pick. If I had a choice I think I’d pick VN where my money would go farther. Thailand has made it painfully obvious to the most casual observer that they do not want farangs and I don’t want to live where I am not wanted or appreciated for how much I contribute to the society.

I can see the VN communist system going away in time - the country is very young and many of the old "true believers" are dying off at a rapid clip. Talk with anyone under the age of 30 (which is half the country) and you will hear utter disdain for the communist system. Unlike China, the internet is open and free so people are able to see what is really going on in the world outside and they desire the same things. Things will change as Hemingway said "Gradually, and then suddenly".

Thailand ain't changing. The military and the elites will see to that as they have since the 1930's.