When you live in Vietnam, one of the biggest perks is how easy it is to travel around Asia. Weekends in Thailand or Singapore? Simple.
So in this blog, I’m taking you out of Vietnam and over to Thailand with me and Adrie, as we explore the food, the culture, and a friendly debate over Thai and Vietnamese food. This trip had a bit of everything.
Why Vietnam Is a Perfect Travel Hub
One of the best things about living in Vietnam is how easy it is to travel around Asia. Since moving here, we’ve been lucky to visit so many amazing countries — Singapore, Myanmar, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Probably even more that I can remember right now.
It’s a huge contrast from when we lived in New Zealand. New Zealand is beautiful, but it’s really far from everywhere. Traveling to another country meant long flights and big expenses. But here in Vietnam, everything feels close. It’s a lot easier — and cheaper — to jump on a plane and explore somewhere new.
For anyone interested in Vietnam travel or Thai travel, living in Vietnam makes weekend getaways and spontaneous trips much easier. This time, we were off to Thailand again — a country we’ve visited before and always loved. But this trip was special because we were heading to Chiang Rai and Pai, two places we had never been before.
We planned to spend eight days there, tasting new dishes, exploring temples, and soaking up the culture. And of course, comparing Thai food and culture to Vietnam along the way.
Travel Tips: Airport Hacks from Saigon Before Flying to Thailand
Our trip started at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Saigon — the main airport in southern Vietnam. Recently, it was ranked as one of the top airports in the world. Well… number 44 out of 70. I’m not sure that really qualifies as “top,” to be honest. But if you’ve ever been to Tan Son Nhat, or even just tried to get a coffee or find a power socket, you’ll know what I mean.
Everyone here is counting down to the new airport in Saigon, which is supposed to open at the end of 2025. Fingers crossed.
Still, there are a few things you can do to make your Vietnam travel experience smoother when flying internationally, especially if you’re living here long term.
Use the eGate if you have a TRC
If you’re an expat or digital nomad with a Temporary Resident Card (TRC) in Vietnam, you can register to use the eGate system. It’s a huge time-saver. Instead of waiting in long immigration lines, you just scan your passport and card and breeze through. When they first installed the eGates, it really felt like Vietnam was stepping into the modern world — and it’s honestly amazing how much faster things go now, when it works!
Prices change between terminals
Here’s a fun one. If you’re in the domestic terminal, food and drinks are slightly more expensive than what you’d pay outside the airport, but still reasonable. The moment you walk into the international terminal, though, it’s a different story. Suddenly, everything is priced in USD, and the cost jumps way up, sometimes 4x higher than normal Vietnam prices.
Check if your credit card gives you lounge access
So many credit cards now offer airport lounge access as a perk, and it can be a game-changer. Adrie has one of those cards, so sometimes she’ll go into the lounge while I wait outside with a Tiger beer. But honestly, we did the math, and if you have a bit of time and $35 to spend, paying to get into the lounge is absolutely worth it.
If you’re doing Vietnam to Thailand travel, or any international trip really, I highly recommend checking out your credit card perks or looking into paid lounge options.
First Impressions of Chiang Mai
Our first day in Chiang Mai was short but full of good vibes. We were only staying one night before heading up to Pai, so we decided to explore the Old Town and soak in some local history.
One of the main spots we visited was Wat Chedi Luang, a beautiful old temple that was once the tallest structure in Chiang Mai. An earthquake took off about 20 meters from the top, but it’s still stunning. I’m not usually one to get excited about temples or religious buildings — maybe it’s because it’s not my own religion, and I feel a bit weird walking around like a tourist. But Adrie reminded me that it’s also about the history and architecture, and that helped me appreciate it more.
Like most temples in Southeast Asia, there are dress codes, especially for women — long pants and covered shoulders are required. And there was even one building that didn’t allow women at all, which was apparently due to menstruation. It makes you wonder how these traditions will evolve with time, especially with the world changing so much when it comes to gender identity and inclusivity.
Tourism in Thailand vs Vietnam
The tourism setup in Thailand is way ahead of Vietnam. We got a tourist SIM card right at 7-Eleven — eight days of unlimited data, all in English, super easy. I feel like Vietnam doesn’t have those kinds of services, or maybe they do and we just don’t notice since we live there. But Thailand is clearly used to big numbers. I think they get something like 40 million tourists a year. Vietnam was getting around 9 million before COVID, but now it’s still around 6 million.
The visa process makes a huge difference too. In Thailand, we just walked in and got a visa-free entry stamp. So simple. Vietnam’s visa process is way more complicated. It’s a shame because Vietnam has so much to offer, but it’s just not as tourist-ready in comparison.
Chiang Mai was busy, with loads of tourists everywhere, but it still had a relaxed charm. If you’re planning Thailand travel, I’d definitely recommend stopping here for the food and the temples, even if just for a day like we did.
Thai Food Adventures in Chiang Mai
- Khao Soi
We’d already started the day strong with one of our favorite Thai dishes: Khao Soi. It’s a northern Thai noodle curry that’s hard to beat. The bowl came with a red curry broth, a chicken thigh still on the bone, and crispy noodles on top. The chicken was so soft it just fell apart. You mix in some lime, pickled mustard greens, raw onions, and chili, and boom — it’s heaven. If you’re into food travel in Thailand, Khao Soi in Chiang Mai is a must.
- Street Food
Later that evening, we just wandered around looking for Chiang Mai street food, and we found loads of gems. We grabbed a grilled chicken skewer for 10 baht — about 30 cents — and it was so tasty we nearly turned right around for seconds. Then we stumbled across something we didn’t expect: baked potatoes loaded with corn and cheese. Not very Thai, I know, but after so many noodle dishes, it really hit the spot. Crispy, creamy, cheesy — exactly what I didn’t know I needed.
- Mango Sticky Rice
After a bit of exploring around Chiang Mai Old Town, the sun started to set — that golden hour glow hit, and we were ready to eat. This was our first full food day in Chiang Mai, and the mission was simple: find something delicious and local.
But the real highlight? Mango sticky rice.
It was the first one of the trip, and I was very excited. Mango, sticky coconut rice, and sweet condensed milk — a perfect combo. Back when we first traveled in Thailand, I thought I was allergic to mango, so Adrie got to eat it all. Turns out I’m not allergic after all (win!), and now I’m making up for lost time.
We finished off the night still chasing Pad Thai — somehow we hadn’t had any yet — and then made our way to a Muay Thai boxing match (more on that in the next section). But before that, we had a big conversation about something very important: what’s better — Thai food or Vietnamese food?
Thai Food vs. Vietnamese Food – The Honest Debate
This was a tough one, but we tried to keep it real. I asked Adrie, “What’s better: Vietnamese food or Thai food?” And her answer was fair — Thai food is great on holiday, but it’s heavy. A lot of curries, deep flavors, and coconut milk. Amazing for a few days, but not something you’d want to eat for every single meal.
Vietnamese food, on the other hand, has a lot more variety and freshness. Think herbs, light broths, grilled meats, rice paper rolls. You can eat it all day and still feel pretty good. It’s easier on the stomach, especially in the heat.
Still, I pushed her for answers with some Would You Rather matchups:
- Mango sticky rice or Vietnamese chè? → Mango sticky rice.
- Thai green curry or ca ri ga? → Green curry.
- Pad Thai or phở xao? → Pad Thai.
- Khao Soi or phở? → Khao Soi.
- That’s 4–0 for Thai food in this completely unscientific poll.
To be clear, Vietnamese cuisine is incredible, and I still eat it most days living in Saigon. But when you’re in Thailand, the food hits differently. It’s indulgent, rich, and comforting. Thai food might just have the edge when you’re on holiday and looking to spoil yourself.
So yeah — no losers here. Just two amazing food cultures, and we’re lucky to enjoy both.
Listen more: “Phở” – Overrated, Underrated, or Properly Rated.
First Muay Thai Experience – Punches, Pride, and a Scottish Fighter
After all the eating, walking, and temple-hopping, we decided to try something totally new — Muay Thai in Chiang Mai.
Now, I’ll be honest — I’m not usually into boxing, MMA, or anything super violent. Watching people kick and punch each other in the head just isn’t really my thing. But when we saw a poster advertising a Muay Thai fight night, and noticed there was a Scottish guy fighting, I thought… alright, maybe just this once.
The arena was buzzing, filled with tourists and locals, and the energy was high. We saw a women’s match first, and then the men’s events started rolling in — including bouts between Thai fighters, Chinese fighters, and even a Vietnamese fighter, which was a nice surprise.
By the end of the night, I had a better appreciation for Muay Thai. It’s not just random violence — it’s skill, tradition, discipline, and yes, consent. Everyone in that ring knew what they were doing, and they wanted to be there. So while I probably won’t become a regular fight night guy, I’m glad we gave it a go.
Conclusion – Thai and Vietnamese food
Thailand and Vietnam are very different in many ways, but each has something special to offer, especially when it comes to food. Thai food might be richer and more indulgent, but Vietnamese food is fresh, balanced, and something I can eat every day.
Have you been to both Thailand and Vietnam? Which food wins for you — a steaming bowl of phở or spicy green curry? Let me know in the comments and share this episode with your friends if they have been to Thailand too.
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