Pick Thailand if you want the easiest first international trip — abundant direct flights, the cheapest fares to “abroad”, lively beaches and nightlife, and (as of mid-2026) visa-free entry. Pick Vietnam if you want lower on-the-ground costs, richer scenery and culture, and fewer crowds — just budget for the mandatory e-Visa. The single biggest deciding factor: Thailand is effortless to enter today but its visa rule is under review, while Vietnam needs an e-Visa but is cheaper once you land.
Updated June 2026 · HappyFares
Thailand and Vietnam sit at the top of nearly every Indian traveller’s Southeast Asia shortlist, and for good reason. Both deliver beaches, street food, temples and hills at prices that undercut a domestic holiday in India — often before you even count the flight.
The catch is that they suit different trips. One is built for an easy, lively, fly-in-and-relax week. The other rewards travellers who want to spend less per day and go deeper into culture and landscape. Here’s how they actually compare for an Indian passport holder in 2026.
Thailand vs Vietnam at a glance
The table below summarises the headline differences using current 2026 facts. Treat every cost as an indicative range — fares and daily budgets swing with season, city and how far ahead you book — and always confirm visa rules with the official source before you pay for anything.
| Factor | Thailand | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Visa for Indians | Visa-free up to 60 days as of mid-2026 — but under review (see below). Complete TDAC online before arrival. | e-Visa required (~USD 25 single / ~USD 50 multi, 90-day). Phú Quốc visa-free 30 days if arriving direct. |
| Flights from India | Abundant direct from nearly every metro to Bangkok/Phuket, ~4–4.5h | Growing direct to Hanoi/HCMC, ~4.5–5.5h; many 1-stop from South India |
| Indicative airfare (r/t) | ~₹12,000–25,000 | ~₹18,000–45,000 |
| Daily budget on ground | ~₹2,500–9,000/day | ~₹2,000–8,000/day (among Asia’s cheapest) |
| Best season | Nov–Feb; monsoon Jul–Oct | Broadly Dec–Feb; avoid Jun–Sep monsoon (central); regions differ |
| Best for | Budget, nightlife, first international trip, island-hopping | Budget backpacking, nature and culture, slower travel |
| Vibe | Lively, polished, easy, party-friendly | Scenic, characterful, less commercial |
Visa & entry for Indians: what’s actually true in 2026
This is the part to get right, because the two countries work very differently — and one of them is genuinely in flux.
Thailand is the one to double-check. As of mid-2026, the official Royal Thai Embassy New Delhi page says visa-free tourism of up to 60 days remains in effect for Indian passport holders. You also have to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before you arrive. However, there are conflicting 2026 reports that this may be cut to a 15-day visa-on-arrival, pending the Royal Gazette. Nothing here is settled. You must check the Royal Thai Embassy New Delhi website yourself before you book flights or non-refundable hotels — do not rely on this article, a forum post, or last year’s experience.
Vietnam is settled but needs paperwork. Indians require an e-Visa, applied for in advance at the official portal evisa.gov.vn. The single-entry e-Visa costs roughly USD 25 and the multi-entry around USD 50, both valid up to 90 days, with processing typically 3–7 working days. One useful exception: Phú Quốc island is visa-free for up to 30 days if you fly in directly from abroad. Apply only through the official site and leave buffer time — don’t book a tight itinerary before the e-Visa is approved.
Visa policies for both countries can change with little notice, so treat the official embassy or government portal as the final word, not any blog.
Getting there and what it costs from India
On pure flight convenience, Thailand has the edge. Direct flights run from almost every Indian metro to Bangkok and Phuket, taking roughly 4 to 4.5 hours, and Thailand is consistently among the cheapest international destinations from India — indicative return fares sit around ₹12,000–25,000 when you book sensibly.
Vietnam is catching up fast. Direct flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City run roughly 4.5 to 5.5 hours, with several 1-stop options via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore from South India. Indicative return fares are a bit higher, around ₹18,000–45,000, partly because the route network is younger and thinner than Thailand’s.
The picture flips once you land. Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Asia day to day — think ₹2,000–8,000 daily covering decent stays, transport and famously good street food. Thailand is still very affordable at ₹2,500–9,000 a day, but Vietnam usually stretches a rupee further, especially outside the headline tourist zones. So Thailand often wins on the airfare, Vietnam on the daily spend — and which matters more depends on how long you’re staying.
When is the best time to visit each?
Both countries are monsoon-shaped, so timing matters more than first-timers expect.
Thailand is at its best from November to February, when it’s drier and cooler across most of the country. The monsoon broadly runs July to October, which can mean heavy downpours and choppier seas for island-hopping — though shoulder-season prices and thinner crowds can make a wet-season trip worthwhile if you’re flexible.
Vietnam is trickier because it’s long and narrow, so the climate genuinely differs north to south. As a broad rule, December to February is a safe window, and you’ll want to avoid the June to September monsoon in central Vietnam (around Hoi An and Da Nang). If a specific region is your priority, check that region’s micro-season rather than trusting a single national rule.
Which should you choose?
Honestly, neither is “better” — they’re built for different travellers, and the right pick depends on what you actually want from the week. Are you optimising for an effortless, lively first trip, or for going deeper and spending less? Use the two scenarios below.
If you want an easy, lively first international trip — pick Thailand
Thailand is hard to beat for a first passport stamp. Direct flights from your city, the lowest fares to “abroad”, polished beaches, big nightlife and (as of mid-2026) visa-free entry make the whole thing low-friction. If you’re travelling with a group that wants Bangkok’s food and energy plus a few easy island days in Phuket or Krabi, this is the smoother choice — just confirm the visa position before you commit.
If you want lower costs, scenery and culture — pick Vietnam
Vietnam rewards travellers who want their money to go further and their days to feel less commercial. Ha Long Bay, the lanterns of Hoi An, the mountains of Sapa and the caves of Phong Nha deliver scenery and history that feel a notch more “discovered-on-your-own”. You’ll spend a little more on the flight and sort an e-Visa first, but the lower daily costs and richer landscapes pay you back — especially on a longer, slower trip.
Common questions
Is Thailand or Vietnam cheaper for Indians?
It depends on the trip length. Thailand usually has cheaper flights (indicatively ₹12,000–25,000 return), while Vietnam is cheaper day to day (from about ₹2,000/day). For a short trip, Thailand often wins overall; for a longer stay, Vietnam’s lower daily costs tend to come out ahead.
Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026?
As of mid-2026, Indians get visa-free entry of up to 60 days per the Royal Thai Embassy New Delhi, plus a mandatory online TDAC before arrival. But this rule is under review, with reports it may change to a 15-day visa-on-arrival. Always confirm on the embassy site before booking.
Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Indians need an e-Visa, applied for in advance at evisa.gov.vn (roughly USD 25 single-entry or USD 50 multi-entry, valid up to 90 days, processed in about 3–7 working days). Phú Quốc island is visa-free for up to 30 days if you arrive directly from abroad.
Which is better for a first-timer abroad?
Thailand, generally. The combination of cheap direct flights, easy entry (subject to confirming the current rule), English-friendly tourist areas and gentle island-hopping makes it the lower-stress option for a first international holiday.
Which has better nature and scenery?
Vietnam, for most travellers. Ha Long Bay, Sapa’s rice terraces and Phong Nha’s caves are standout landscapes. Thailand’s strengths lean more towards beaches, islands and city energy than dramatic inland scenery.
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Search Flights on HappyFares →Want to plan either trip in detail? Read our Thailand travel guide for Indians and our Vietnam travel guide for Indians. For paperwork, see the Thailand visa guide and the Vietnam e-Visa guide before you book.
Disclaimer: Visa rules, fares, and travel costs change frequently and vary by nationality, season, and booking date. Always confirm current visa requirements with the official embassy/government source and live fares on HappyFares before booking.
