Bangkok, Pattaya & Phuket
Best seller.
Thailand , 5 nights, 6 days.
from
per person · twin sharing · flights extra
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Transfers.
Ethan Holidays · +91 94954 78536 · info@ethanholidays.com · www.ethanholidays.com/compare/thailand-vs-vietnam
Old Airport Road, Nedumbassery, Kochi, Kerala 683572 · since 2010
Facts checked October 2026
Thailand vs Vietnam: which is better from Kerala?
- 4.9 on Google (opens Google Maps in a new tab)
- 10,000+ travellers
- Since 2010
Which is better, Thailand or Vietnam?
Choose Thailand for a non-stop flight from Kochi, no visa for 30 days, island beaches and easy family days; it is at its best from November to February. Choose Vietnam for Halong Bay, the lantern streets of Hoi An and Phu Quoc, with a good season somewhere in the country every month; it needs an e-visa and one flight change.
Choose Thailand if
- Parents or young children are coming between November and May
- You want a non-stop flight from Kochi and no visa to apply for
- You travel in November, or at Christmas and New Year
- Beach resorts and island boat days are the main plan
Choose Vietnam if
- You travel between June and October, including the Onam and Pooja breaks
- Halong Bay, old towns and street food appeal more than beach resorts
- You have been to Thailand and want somewhere new
- You have five nights or more, for one flight change and short hops inside the country
Thailand or Vietnam: who is going, and when?
Two taps and we name one place for your trip.
How it works
Tap who is going, and your school break or month if you know it. We name the one place that suits you best, and the quote button asks for that place.
Thailand or Vietnam in your month
Every month has a reason to go. Here is what each one is like in both places.
Thailand Vietnam
Tap a month to see both places that month.
Thailand all year
- Nov–Feb · Cool and dry. Sunny on the Phuket side; Samui drier from January
- Mar–May · Hot and sunny. Fine for the pool and the sea; first rains in May
- Jun–Oct · Monsoon. Green and fresh, lower prices; wetter on the Phuket side
Vietnam all year
- Dec–Apr · Dry in the south. Sunny Phu Quoc and the south; cool days in Hanoi
- May–Aug · Central coast summer. Da Nang and Hoi An at their best
- Sep–Nov · Autumn in the north. Hanoi and Halong Bay; clearest in Oct–Nov
Flights from Kerala to Thailand and Vietnam
| From | ThailandBKK | VietnamHAN · SGN |
|---|---|---|
| COKKochi | Non-stop about 4 h | One change about 8–12 h, via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore |
| TRVThiruvananthapuram | One change about 7–10 h, via Bengaluru, Chennai, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore | One change about 8–12 h, via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore |
| CCJKozhikode | One change about 6–9 h, via Bengaluru, Chennai or Hyderabad | One change about 8–12 h, via Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru |
| CNNKannur | One change about 6–9 h, via Bengaluru, Chennai or Hyderabad | One change about 8–12 h, via Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru |
Time difference: Thailand IST + 1 h 30, Vietnam IST + 1 h 30. Times are about, with a good connection, for this winter’s schedule. We quote your flights from your own city with the trip.
Thailand vs Vietnam, fact by fact
| Fact | Thailand | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Flight from Kochi | Stronger:Non-stop, about 4 h | One change, about 8–12 h |
| Papers | Visa-free for 30 days; online arrival card first | Online e-visa; up to 90 days; we apply |
| Trips from | From ₹56,999 for 5 nights, indicative | From ₹35,100 for 3 nights, indicative |
| Our trips | 11 trips, 3 to 9 nights | 9 trips, 3 to 10 nights |
| Best months | Nov–Feb: cool and dry | Dec–Apr: dry in the south |
| What you’ll eat | Curries, seafood, street food; Indian restaurants in every main town | Pho, banh mi, seafood, pork dishes; Indian restaurants in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City |
| Family or lively | Family days in Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi; livelier in Pattaya | Bay cruises, old towns and beaches; lively streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City |
| Easy for elders | Stronger:A shorter journey; sightseeing by car with short walks | One flight change; Halong cruises board by small boat |
| Honeymoon | Island resorts on Phuket and Koh Samui | Stronger:A night on Halong Bay, Hoi An’s lanterns, Phu Quoc’s beaches |
| For kids | Safari World, SEA LIFE aquarium, Coral Island | Sun World Ba Na Hills and its Golden Bridge, VinWonders theme parks |
| Shopping | Stronger:Bangkok’s markets and malls | Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Hoi An’s tailors, Ben Thanh market |
| Scenery | Limestone islands, lagoons, golden temples | Halong Bay’s islands, Sapa’s rice terraces, Hoi An’s old town |
| Money | Baht; cards in hotels and malls | Dong, mostly in notes; cards in hotels, restaurants and shops |
| Plugs | Two-pin round plugs fit; three-pin plugs need an adapter | Two-pin round plugs fit; three-pin plugs need an adapter |
The stronger side for that row. Indicative prices. They can change with dates and availability.
Which is cheaper, Thailand or Vietnam?
Thailand has fewer extra costs from Kerala: Kochi flies non-stop to Bangkok, and there is no visa fee. Vietnam needs a flight change and an e-visa, and trips that cover two regions add a short flight inside the country; day-to-day costs there are often lower, so the total depends on your dates and hotels.
Thailand
Our trips from ₹56,999 per person, twin sharing, for 5 nights, indicative; others priced on request.
No entry fee: the arrival card is free.
Vietnam
Our trips from ₹35,100 per person, twin sharing, for 3 nights, indicative.
Also budget for the e-visa (USD 25 for a single entry) and, on trips that cover two regions, the flights inside Vietnam.
Indicative prices. They can change with dates and availability. We quote today’s price, with flights from your city, for the place you choose.
Do Indians need a visa for Thailand and Vietnam?
Thailand
No visa needed for a holiday of up to 30 days. Nothing to apply for in advance.
Arrival card: the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), filled in online in the three days before you land; we do it with you.
At immigration: Your return ticket, hotel bookings and about 20,000 baht in cash each, as the Indian Embassy advises.
Vietnam
An e-visa for up to 90 days, applied for online before you fly, for a fee of USD 25 (single entry). We apply on the official portal; send us your passport scan and photo at least a month before you fly.
Arrival card: the free Pre-Arrival Information form, recommended rather than required, filled in online in the three days before you land; we do it with you.
At immigration: Your passport with the printed e-visa, and your return ticket and hotel bookings.
Both ask for a passport valid for six months from the day you land. Entry rules change, so we check them again when you book. Any visa fee and our service charge are extra.
What you’ll eat in Thailand and Vietnam
Thailand
Curries, seafood and street food, with rice at every meal. Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket have many Indian restaurants. Halal food is easy to find in Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi, and vegetarian food in every city.
Vietnam
Try pho, banh mi and fresh seafood; pork dishes such as bun cha are everyday food too. Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have Indian restaurants and halal places, and Buddhist vegetarian (chay) restaurants are found in every city.
Tell us what you eat and we note it with the hotels and the cruise.
Good to know before you fly
Thailand
- Arrival card: TDAC, free, in the 3 days before you land; only on the official site
- Cash: about 20,000 baht each, as the Indian Embassy advises
- Time: IST + 1 h 30
- Money: baht; UPI does not work there yet
- Plugs: 220 V; two-pin round plugs fit, carry an adapter for three-pin plugs
Vietnam
- E-visa: carry it printed with your passport
- Money: dong, mostly in notes; change it only at official counters, and check the zeros on the similar blue notes
- Time: IST + 1 h 30
- Streets: cross slowly and steadily, and carry bags on the side away from the traffic
- Plugs: 220 V; two-pin round plugs fit, carry an adapter for three-pin plugs
Thailand trips
11 trips, 3 to 9 nights, each one changed around your dates.
Thailand trips
Phuket Island Break
Thailand , 3 nights, 4 days.
Price on request
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Transfers.
Pattaya & Bangkok
Thailand , 4 nights, 5 days.
Price on request
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Transfers.
Vietnam trips
9 trips, 3 to 10 nights, each one changed around your dates.
Vietnam trips
Magical Vietnam
Vietnam , 6 nights, 7 days.
from
per person · twin sharing · flights extra
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Transfers.
Hanoi, Ninh Binh & Halong
Vietnam , 3 nights, 4 days.
from
per person · twin sharing · flights extra
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Transfers.
Hanoi & Halong Overnight
Vietnam , 4 nights, 5 days.
from
per person · twin sharing · flights extra
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Transfers.
Da Nang, Hoi An & Phu Quoc Island
Vietnam , 5 nights, 6 days.
from
per person · twin sharing · flights extra
Included: Hotel, Breakfast, Transfers.
From our travellers
Rated 4.9 on Google. Read all reviews on Google(opens in a new tab)
Rated 5 out of 5
Had a wonderful experience with the travel agency for our Thailand trip! From planning the itinerary to hotel arrangements, transfers and activities, everything was well organised and hassle-free. The team was very responsive, supportive and professional throughout the trip. They made sure everything went smoothly and helped us enjoy our time in Phuket and Krabi without having to worry about the arrangements. Highly recommended for anyone planning a Thailand trip!
Rated 5 out of 5
We recently traveled to Thailand with Ethan Holidays and had the most amazing experience! Every detail was taken care of, from airport pickups to hotel check-ins, island tours, transfers, and even local recommendations. They customized the itinerary based on our needs, and everything ran like clockwork. What really stood out was their attention to detail and how quickly they handled last-minute changes.
Rated 5 out of 5
Trusted travel partner. Everything was handled with such ease that the entire journey felt seamless from start to finish. What impressed us most was the prompt communication, the smooth, hassle-free arrangements, and the continued support at every step. Ethan Holidays truly delivers a premium experience in the simplest, most effortless way.
Rated 5 out of 5
Well arranged: flight, itinerary, package, food, vehicle. Good 24x7 support from start to end of our tour. We covered the Cordelia cruise and a Thailand trip with Ethan Holidays. We always recommend Ethan Holidays for an extraordinary travel experience.
Rated 5 out of 5
We booked our Vietnam trip with Ethan Holidays and it was an absolute delight! From the smooth visa process to peaceful transfers and friendly guides. Our stays were super cute, many with pools and jacuzzis. And the sweetest part? They arranged a surprise birthday celebration for my friend on the cruise!
Rated 5 out of 5
We, a group of seven members, recently had a thrilling holiday in Vietnam for 8 days. The entire itinerary, travel and accommodation arrangements were done by Team Ethan, led by Ms. Ruby. We had a memorable vacation at two destinations, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, and the accommodation at both was very comfortable, with tasty food. The tour itinerary was perfect, with courteous and supportive local guides and comfortable travel by vehicle, and all of us really enjoyed the trip. Kudos to Team Ethan for arranging such an exciting trip.
Before you ask
The 8 questions people search most about Thailand and Vietnam.
Still unsure? Ask us when you request your free quote.
Office Mon to Sat, 9 AM to 6 PM · Call or WhatsApp until 11:30 PM
Get a free quote Or chat on WhatsApp (opens WhatsApp in a new tab)Thailand has fewer extra costs from Kerala: Kochi has non-stop flights to Bangkok, and Indian passport holders need no visa for a 30-day holiday. Vietnam needs one flight change and an e-visa (USD 25 for a single entry), and trips that cover two regions take a short flight inside the country. Day-to-day costs in Vietnam are often lower, so the total depends on your dates and hotels; we quote today’s price for the place you choose.
Vietnam, for couples who want somewhere new: a night on a Halong Bay cruise, the lantern streets of Hoi An and beach days on Phu Quoc. Thailand is the pick for island resorts on Phuket or Koh Samui and the shorter, non-stop journey from Kochi.
From November to May, Thailand. Kochi has non-stop flights to Bangkok (about 4 hours), there is no visa to apply for, and the family days are easy: Safari World, the SEA LIFE aquarium in Bangkok and the boat to Coral Island. From June to October, Thailand is in its monsoon and island boat trips can be rough, so Vietnam is the better pick: Da Nang and Hoi An from June to August, Hanoi and Halong Bay in September and October.
Both are in season. Thailand is cool, dry and sunny on the Phuket side. In Vietnam the south and Phu Quoc are dry and Hanoi is cool, so pack a light jacket for the north. For the Onam and Pooja breaks, Vietnam is the better pick.
For Thailand, no: Indian passport holders can holiday visa-free for up to 30 days, and fill in the free online arrival card (TDAC) in the three days before landing. For Vietnam, yes: an e-visa for up to 90 days, applied for online, USD 25 for a single entry. We apply for it on the official portal; send us your papers at least a month before you fly. Both need a passport valid for six months. Entry rules change, so we check them again when you book.
To Thailand, about 4 hours non-stop from Kochi to Bangkok; from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode or Kannur, one change, about 6 to 10 hours. To Vietnam there is no non-stop from Kerala this winter: one change, in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, or in Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru from Kozhikode and Kannur, about 8 to 12 hours.
For Thailand, four or five nights cover Bangkok with Pattaya or Phuket. For Vietnam, four or five nights suit one region, such as Hanoi with Halong Bay or Da Nang with Hoi An; six to ten nights take you from north to south, with short flights between.
Both welcome Indian families every day, with the usual care. In Vietnam’s cities, cross the street slowly and steadily and carry bags on the side away from the traffic. Thailand’s Tourist Police run a 24-hour helpline, 1155, with English speakers; in Vietnam the police number is 113 and the ambulance 115.
Where these facts come from
Seasons, entry rules and flights checked against official sources in October 2026. For reference only; we handle the papers for you.
- Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi: visa exemption for Indians(opens in a new tab)
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)(opens in a new tab)
- Vietnam Tourism: visa requirements(opens in a new tab)
- Indian Embassy Hanoi: Vietnam’s pre-arrival form(opens in a new tab)
- Vietnam Tourism: weather and climate(opens in a new tab)
- Vietnam Tourism: halal food guide(opens in a new tab)
- Thailand Tourist Police 1155(opens in a new tab)
- Onmanorama: Kochi airport winter schedule 2026(opens in a new tab)
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