Planning an adventure in Asia with your family and can’t decide between Vietnam and Thailand? You’re not alone. Both destinations serve up incredible food, warm hospitality, jaw-dropping scenery, and wallet-friendly prices, but each offers a different kind of family holiday.
One’s a little more adventurous and culture-packed (hello, Vietnam), and the other is your guaranteed crowd-pleaser (hi, Thailand). The good news? You can’t really go wrong.
Here’s how Vietnam and Thailand stack up for families – from beaches and activities to culture, food, costs and ease of travel.
Quick Comparison: Vietnam vs Thailand for Families
| Category | Vietnam | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Culture-rich, adventurous, less polished | Relaxed, easy, super family-friendly |
| Best for | Families who love culture, history, scenery and exploring | Families wanting beaches, ease, resorts and comfort |
| Food | Fresh, fragrant, generally mild – great for kids | Wide variety, lots of familiar dishes, great for picky eaters |
| Beaches | Beautiful but more spread out | Some of the best family-friendly beaches in Asia |
| Cost | Slightly cheaper overall | Still affordable but more variable in tourist hotspots |
| Transport | Trains, domestic flights, taxis; more travel days | Very easy – domestic flights, buses, taxis |
| Weather | Varies greatly from north to south | More predictable dry/wet seasons |
| First-time in Asia? | Great – but better for confident travellers | Excellent – easy, smooth and stress-free in tourist areas |
Vietnam vs Thailand: The Full Breakdown
Family-Friendly Vibe & Ease of Travel
Vietnam
Vietnam is incredible, but it can feel more “go, go, go.” Bustling cities, scooters everywhere, and big cultural differences make it exciting – but also a little overwhelming if it’s your first time in Asia with kids. Children are welcome everywhere and it’s not uncommon for waitresses to help out with your baby (even if you didn’t ask for help).
Great for: Adventurous families, curious kids, culture lovers
May not suit: Families wanting an easy beach resort holiday
Thailand
Thailand is famously one of the easiest destinations for family travel. Things run smoothly, English is widely spoken, and people genuinely adore children.
Great for: First-time family travellers, beach lovers, families wanting a fuss-free trip
Beaches & Island Escapes
Vietnam
Vietnam’s beaches are beautiful – think Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc – but they’re more spread out and often require longer travel days.
Family favourites:
- Hoi An (calm, cultural, good mix of beach + town)
- Phu Quoc (laid-back islands, great resorts)
Thailand
Thailand wins easily for beaches. It’s home to some of the best islands in the world, many with shallow, calm waters perfect for little swimmers.
Family favourites:
- Phuket (all the activities + great family resorts)
- Koh Samui (calm beaches + chilled vibe)
- Krabi (epic scenery)
Culture & Experiences
Vietnam
If your family loves history, culture and hands-on learning, Vietnam is a dream.
Kids will love:
- Lantern-making in Hoi An
- Cu Chi Tunnels
- Water puppet shows
- Rowboat rides in Tam Coc or Van Long
- Exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Vietnam offers a deeper cultural immersion with every stop.
Thailand
Thailand has beautiful culture too – temples, markets, long-tail boats – but it’s packaged in a more accessible, gentle way and can feel a bit more touristy.
Great cultural experiences:
- Bangkok’s Grand Palace
- Floating markets
- Elephant sanctuaries
- Thai cooking classes
- Chiang Mai’s temples and night bazaars
Food (and How Well Kids Handle It)
Vietnam
Fresh, fragrant and often mild. Vietnamese food is fantastic for families – rice, noodles, grilled meats, and soups.
Kid-friendly hits:
- Pho
- Banh mi
- BBQ pork and rice
- Fresh spring rolls
Thailand
Thai food is full of flavour – sweet, salty, spicy. The good news? You can always ask for “not spicy.”
Kid-friendly hits:
- Pad Thai
- Satay
- Fried rice
- Mango sticky rice
Thailand wins for variety and for catering to fussy eaters.
Getting Around
Vietnam
Distances between major tourist destinations are larger. You may need a mix of domestic flights, long train rides, and private drivers.
Thailand
Quick flights, easy island transfers, and comfortable transport make getting around with kids simple. If you plan to be moving around, Thailand takes this round.
Cost
Both countries are affordable, but Vietnam is generally a little cheaper for food, transport and activities. Thailand can be great value too, but tourist hubs like Phuket and well-known activities tend to cost more.
Safety & Comfort With Kids
- Vietnam: Safe, but traffic can be chaotic. Footpaths are… let’s call them “creative.”
- Thailand: Very safe, very easy, and very used to hosting families.
So… Vietnam vs Thailand: Which Is Better for Families?
It honestly depends on your travel style.
Choose Vietnam if your family loves:
- Culture and history
- Active exploring
- Unique landscapes
- Trying new foods
- A mix of cities, countryside and beaches
Choose Thailand if your family wants:
- Easy, relaxing holidays
- Beach time
- Resorts with kids’ clubs
- Simple travel days
- A great first introduction to Asia
So… If you’re after fun and relaxation, go with Thailand. If you’re craving adventure and culture, choose Vietnam. And if you can do both, then do both. They make the perfect Southeast Asia combo trip.
FAQs: Vietnam vs Thailand
Thailand. It’s easier, smoother and very family-friendly.
Yes, especially in major tourist hotspots.
Thailand. Vietnam has beautiful beaches too, but they’re more spread out.
Yes. The biggest challenge is traffic in the major cities.
Both countries offer plenty of mild dishes kids love.
Vietnam – more immersive and varied.
Where to next?
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