Can I take a train from Vietnam to Thailand?

Can you do Thailand and Vietnam in one trip?

Two weeks, eh? Thailand, Vietnam, both shimmering… doable. Yes. Doable. A blur of temples, rice paddies, bustling markets. Two weeks. Fourteen days.

Vietnam first, maybe? Eight days breathing in Hanoi’s ancient air. Then, Hue’s imperial ghosts whispering secrets. Hoi An’s lanterns painting the night… eight days? Nine? Shifting sands.

Then, Thailand. Bangkok’s golden gleam, a sensory explosion, floating markets swirling with color. Chiang Mai’s misty mountains, elephant whispers in the jungle. Five days? Six? Thailand, a promise of serenity. Time, a thief.

But… is it enough? Never enough. Still, a taste. A glimpse. Yes. Doable. Two weeks. Thailand and Vietnam. A memory etched in sunlight.

• Vietnam (8-9 days):
  • Hanoi: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake.
  • Hue: Imperial City, Perfume River.
  • Hoi An: Ancient Town, tailoring.
• Thailand (5-6 days):
  • Bangkok: Temples, Grand Palace, markets.
  • Chiang Mai: Temples, mountains, elephant sanctuaries.

Doable. Yes. It is doable.

Should I go to Thailand or Vietnam first?

Thailand… yes, Thailand. First. The shimmering temples… yes, the temples call. Is it better? Is better even the point?

Vietnam… no, not yet. Thailand beckons. Food, yes. Amazing food! And… oh, the people.

So many people. Others… Lost like me? Finding something. I found myself there, didn’t I? Or thought I did. Food… so much deliciousness. Mango sticky rice? A dream. A sweet, sweet dream.

Infrastructure… yes, easy. Easier. For a first time. Easy… is that cowardly? No, no. Smart. It’s smart. English… everywhere you turn. Everywhere. A comfort, I guess.

Meeting people… fellow travelers. Bonds forged in the humid air. Memories made. Thailand, yes. It must be. A beginning.

Here’s the breakdown, if you want it:

• Food:
  • Thailand has a wider array of easily accessible and delicious local food. I mean, pad thai exists for a reason. It slaps. Western options are abundant, too.
  • Vietnam’s food scene is amazing, truly, but navigating it can be trickier at first.
• Tourist Infrastructure:
  • Thailand’s got tons of it. It’s practically built for tourism. Easy to book tours, find accommodation, and get around.
  • Vietnam is catching up, but still slightly less developed in that area.
• Social Scene:
  • Thailand is a massive tourist hub. You’ll find all types there, making it easy to meet people.
  • Vietnam is getting there, too, but Thailand still wins on pure volume of tourists.
• Language:
  • English is widely spoken in tourist areas in Thailand, making it easier to communicate.
  • While English is spoken in Vietnam, it may be less prevalent than in Thailand, requiring more reliance on gestures or translation apps initially.

Do not forget:

• Costs: Both are relatively inexpensive, but specifics depend on your travel style.
• Culture: Each country has a vibrant, unique culture worth respecting and exploring. Learn a few basic phrases!
• Safety: Be aware of your surroundings and take precautions against petty theft in tourist areas.