Two of the most popular destinations for expats, and a genuinely hard choice. Here is how Thailand and Vietnam compare across the nine factors that shape life abroad, with an honest read on which suits which kind of mover.
Thailand vs Vietnam at a glance
| Factor | Thailand | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | Very low | Very low |
| Property | Very affordable | Very affordable |
| Healthcare | Limited | Limited |
| Safety | Safe | Safe |
| Tax | Foreign income taxed only if remitted ▲ | Worldwide income, 35% top |
| Visa | Retirement visa (50+, ฿800k or ฿65k/mo) ▲ | Work/investor; no retiree visa |
| Climate | Warm (~28°C) | Warm (~28°C) |
| English | Limited | Moderate ▲ |
| Expat community | Moderate ▲ | Minimal |
▲ marks the stronger of the two on that factor. Where neither is marked, they are closely matched.
How far your money goes in Thailand · and in Vietnam
Which should you choose?
Choose Thailand if you want: a larger expat community, an easier visa or residency route and friendlier taxes.
Choose Vietnam if you want: more English spoken.
Climate is a matter of taste rather than a score, so weigh that yourself: Thailand is Warm (~28°C), Vietnam is Warm (~28°C).
Tax and visas compared
| Factor | Thailand | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Tax | Foreign income taxed only if remitted | Worldwide income, 35% top |
| Visa / residency | Retirement visa (50+, ฿800k or ฿65k/mo) | Work/investor; no retiree visa |
General information to compare destinations, not personal tax or immigration advice. Rules change, so check the current position before you commit.
Go deeper: Thailand guide · Thailand insurance quotes | Vietnam guide · Vietnam insurance quotes
How these scores are calculated
Each destination is scored from 0 to 100 on nine factors, then compared. “Stronger” marks the higher score on that factor. The healthcare score reflects the public system; private care, which many expats use, can differ, and first-hand expat ratings are coming from our own survey. Cost and property are world-comparable price levels.
Data sources: Expat Focus built dataset · Expat Focus climate reference · Expat Focus reference · World Bank ICP / PPP price level · World Bank ICP 2021 housing Price Level Index · World Bank health expenditure per capita + physicians per 1,000 · World Bank intentional homicide rate · World Bank international migrant stock. See our data and licences page.