Beaches in Vietnam VS Thailand: Which is Best for Your Trip?

It’s no surprise beach holidays are the star of the tourism industry in Southeast Asia. Thailand and Vietnam, in particular, are renowned for their stunning beach destinations and have become synonymous with beach holidays, beach parties, and the brilliant white sands that cover them.

If you're deciding between the beaches of Thailand and Vietnam, Thailand is the better choice. Vietnam’s beaches are less crowded and more affordable, while Thailand offers a livelier atmosphere with more nightlife and water activities due to its well-developed beach tourism. Check for more details about which is the best beach destination for your Southeast Asia tour, Thailand or Vietnam.

Beaches Thailand vs Vietnam: Thailand Has More Famous Tropical Beaches

Compared to Vietnam, Thailand has more tropical regions and a longer coastline, giving it more famous and scenic beaches. Thailand is especially popular for island hopping. Below, you can find some of the most famous beaches in both Thailand and Vietnam.

Thailand’s Famous Beaches
- Railay Beach in Krabi: one of the best places in Thailand to go for a beach vacation. Its perfect sand, limestone cliffs, and emerald waters are only accessible by boat, but the seclusion makes it a paradise.
- Patong Beach in Phuket: the largest and one of the best islands in Thailand. It is also the largest beach on the island and Thailand’s most popular beach. The wide coastline and soft white sand make the beach one of the most pleasant places to visit, and the tropical waters are warm all year round.
- Long Beach in Koh Lanta: Stretching for miles in both directions and one of the widest beaches in Thailand, this stunning beach has great views of the other islands in the area, as well as restaurants right on the beach. It’s a family-oriented destination with great and affordable accommodations.
- Lamai Beach in Koh Samui: has a more laid-back vibe than the island’s other famous beach, Chaweng Beach. It has the iconic Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks at the southern end.
- Laem Thong Beach in the Phi Phi Islands: the most beautiful beach in the area. Known as Golden Bay, the pristine sands and gentle waters are a beach lovers’ paradise.

Thailand Phuket Patong Beach.

Vietnam’s Famous Beaches
- Nha Trang: it has been the most popular beach in Vietnam for years. A sweeping crescent beach dominates the coastline and is backed by a very impressive promenade that is covered with beautiful parks and sculpted gardens for a bit of relief from the white sand.
- Mui Ne: was once an isolated stretch of shoreline that has transformed into a strip of tourist beach resorts that are set amid the beautiful gardens of this southern Vietnamese town.
- Phu Quoc: the most beautiful island in Vietnam and the best beach for island hopping. With perfect white sand beaches, surrounded by the dense jungles of Southeast Asia, it’s a unique part of the country.
- My Khe Beach: is 3km east of Danang. The long stretch of fine, white sand and clear, blue waters are an ideal spot for swimming and relaxing on the beach.
- An Bang Beach: is 3km north of Hoi An. Renowned as a tranquil getaway, the untouched golden sands and gentle waves are exactly what you’d expect from a tropical beach.

Vietnam Nha Trang beach scenery.

Beaches Thailand vs Vietnam: Summer in Vietnam & Winter in Thailand

Thailand is famous for its sunny weather, cloudless blue skies, and mild breezes, all of which make for a beautiful beach holiday. The monsoon season in most of Thailand runs from April to October, with most of the rain falling from June to September. To avoid the rains and enjoy warm temperatures, the cooler dry season, from November to March, is the best time to travel to Thailand for a beach vacation. Temperatures are cooler but can still reach 30 degrees during the day, which is perfect beach weather.

The dry season in Central Vietnam runs from February to July, with a slight increase in rainfall in August. From April to August, you can enjoy the sunny climate of the beaches of Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue, with very little rain at all.

The southern beaches in Vietnam have warm temperatures all year round, and different areas experience rainfall at different times of the year. In the southeast, the beaches of Nha Trang are best visited from March to June. Phu Quoc is best avoided from July to October, when the rains are at their worst, while Mui Ne, on the southern coast, has a rainy season that runs from June to September and consists of mostly light afternoon showers.

14 Days Best of Thailand and Vietnam Tour

Bangkok – Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An – Da Nang - Saigon

Beaches Thailand vs Vietnam: Vietnam’s Beaches Are Less Crowded

Beach travel to Vietnam is only newly popular with travelers. The beaches there have yet to develop the same popularity as beaches in Thailand and have less developed tourism infrastructures. This means they’re perfect for peaceful, less touristy experiences. The most popular beaches in Vietnam, like My Khe Beach and the beaches of Phu Quoc island, can get busy during peak domestic travel seasons but are still generally less crowded than the beaches of Thailand.

Crowds aren’t always a disadvantage, depending on the experience you’re looking for. Popular areas in Thailand like Phuket, Krabi, and Pattaya beach are bursting with social energy. Meet other travelers and friendly locals at beach clubs. In Thailand, you can stay up all night enjoying the vibrant nightlife and making the crowds part of your travel experience.

Pattaya Beach in Thailand.

6 Days Splendid Pattaya Tour Package

Bangkok - Pattaya - Bangkok

Beaches Thailand vs Vietnam: Thailand Wins for Adventure & Nightlife

Thailand’s nightlife and adventure sports are legendary in the travel scene. Top party destinations like Pattaya have popular beaches like Jomtien Beach and entertainment that never sleeps. Find nightclubs to party until the early hours or quiet cocktail bars for a relaxing evening with friends. In Koh Phangan, you can join the Full Moon Party held every month on Haad Rin Beach and party with travelers from around the world.

Every popular beach destination in Thailand, like Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Samui, has exciting extreme sports. Try scuba diving or snorkeling, kiteboarding, parasailing, or even sky diving. Railay Beach in Krabi is popular with climbers for its limestone cliffs. Kayak through bioluminescent caves in Phuket, or head inland for jungle trekking, or white water rafting.

Thailand Island diving activities.

In Vietnam, you can still find off-the-beat-path beaches almost untouched by development for a peaceful retreat. Hon Son Island in the Gulf of Thailand is a hidden gem. The island’s pristine beaches are surrounded by crystal-clear waters and lush hills. It’s a serene and uncrowded setting with delicious seafood and hidden waterfalls.

Even popular areas in Vietnam have secluded locations to explore. Away from the resort area of Mui Ne, Binh Thuan is a quiet retreat. It’s overlooked by most travelers, remaining a quiet place of sleepy fishing villages, and is great for peaceful walks on the beach.

Vietnamese coastal fishing village.

8 Days Thailand Island Hopper Tour Package

Phuket – Koh Phi Phi – Krabi

Beaches Thailand vs Vietnam: Vietnam Wins for Budget Travel

There are affordable travel options in both countries, but Vietnam has the edge for budget travel. As a still up-and-coming choice as a beach destination, three-star hotels at major beach resorts are a lot less expensive than their counterparts in Thailand.

Around Nha Trang, in Vietnam, a good three-star hotel can be found for as little as 20 dollars per night, and good guesthouse accommodations can cost as little as 10 dollars per person. On average, hotels in Patong Beach in Thailand range from around 60 dollars per night to as much as 240 dollars per night.

Daily costs are not expensive in either country, but Vietnam is a little cheaper. Eating street food and at small local restaurants, you will spend around 22 USD per day in Vietnam. The same style of dining is around 30 USD per day in Thailand. Entertainment costs for things like entrance tickets or performances average around 13 USD in Vietnam. In Thailand, the average price is around 20 USD.

Beach backpacker Tours in Vietnam.

We Recommend: Enjoy a Beach Holiday in Thailand, a Cultural & Historical Journey in Vietnam

There’s no wrong choice between the two countries, but overall, we recommend Thailand for a beach holiday and Vietnam for cultural and historical travel. In Thailand, you can choose from a wealth of top beach destinations. Relax on Patong Beach in Pattaya, join the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan, or enjoy the luxury of Koh Samui. You’re never limited to one choice and can take a boat to go beach hopping around places like the Phi Phi Islands, Phuket, and Krabi.

The beaches of Vietnam can also delight travelers, but the country stands out for its wealth of cultural and historical attractions. In Hanoi, you can visit ancient sites like the Temple of Literature or learn about modern Vietnamese history at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh City preserves sites from the Vietnam War, such as the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Reunification Palace. In central Vietnam, you can have the experience of an ancient trading port city wandering the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An or discover the grandeur of imperial history in the ancient capital, Hue.

Enjoy the beach in Thailand.

Conclusion

Both Thailand and Vietnam have stunning stretches of fine white sand with great destinations for singles, couples, and families. However, if you want a relaxing beach holiday, tour Thailand! Thailand stands out as the best choice for the singles scene, with its amazing party beaches, all-night clubbing, and daytime relaxation on the beach.

Families can choose from either destination, as both have amazing choices for family-friendly beaches and resorts. No matter whether you choose Thailand or Vietnam, our Southeast Asia travel consultants will help you put together an expert plan for the perfect beach holiday. Contact us to tailor-make your Vietnam or Thailand tour today.