Can you enter Thailand from Vietnam?

Do you need a visa for Thailand from Vietnam?

Wait, Thailand visa… for Vietnamese? Oh, right!

• Vietnamese passport holders: No visa needed. It’s a visa exemption.

It’s just like, I don’t need a visa to go to Canada with my US passport… right? Wait, do I? Need to double-check that. I always mix up the rules with Canada.

• Stay is limited to 30 days, I think.

Ugh, details. 30 days max. What if you wanna stay longer, like, a whole month and a few days? Hmm, gotta get a proper visa then, I guess. Or do a border run? Risky.

• Staying longer? Need a tourist visa. Not that hard to get, prolly.

Is it really that easy? Maybe not, bureaucracy is a pain. Border runs still a thing in 2024? Always felt kinda sketchy. Never tried it.

• Border runs? Kinda risky. Just get a proper visa.

Okay, focus. Vietnam to Thailand. No visa for 30 days. Done. What was I even doing again?

Can you travel by land from Vietnam to Thailand?

Yes, land travel between Vietnam and Thailand is feasible. You can’t just hop across a border, though. It’s a journey, not a quick trip. Virak Buntham buses are a popular option, reaching Phnom Penh’s Virak Buntham Express station – a crucial transit point. Think of it like a major railway hub, but for buses.

Driving is another option. The 868 km distance presents its own set of challenges. Road conditions vary considerably. Expect delays. You’ll need a valid international driving permit. It’s a significant undertaking. Planning is paramount. I’ve done similar long drives, and trust me – preparation is key.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Bus Travel: Virak Buntham is a reliable company, often cited for their services. However, always check current schedules and availability directly. This is essential, even for seasoned travellers.
• Driving: Requires meticulous planning. Visa requirements for both countries, insurance, border crossing procedures, and potential language barriers must be factored in. Having spare parts and a basic understanding of vehicle mechanics is extremely advisable. I personally recommend carrying a well-stocked first aid kit. My last long trip was incredibly stressful without one!

Additional Considerations:

• Border Crossings: Be prepared for potential wait times at border checkpoints. Bring necessary documentation. This includes your passport, visa (if required), and possibly other permits, depending on your nationality and vehicle type.
• Accommodation: Plan overnight stays if driving. Finding suitable lodgings along less-traveled routes can sometimes be tricky. Booking in advance is smart. Booking.com is a reasonable option but I prefer Agoda myself. This isn’t to say Agoda is better, just that I’ve had better personal experience with them.

This is not a simple hop. Factor in enough time. The journey itself can be an adventure. But thorough planning transforms adventure into a less stressful experience, at least in my experience. It’s all about perspective, I suppose.

Can I travel from Vietnam to Thailand by bus?

No direct bus. Vietnam to Thailand? Nope.

• Ho Chi Minh. Virak Buntham Express leaves.

• Phnom Penh. Transfer.

• Bangkok. Sri Ayudhya School stop. Then, Democracy Monument’s across from Suksa Phan. Get it?

Direct is never easy, uh? I did the border crossing myself. Lost my shades near the Mekong. It’s like that.

Can you do Thailand and Vietnam in one trip?

Thailand whispers, then Vietnam calls. A blur of gold, a whisper of green. Two weeks? Yes. Two weeks is enough, or is it never enough? Always chasing sun, always chasing shadows.

Vietnam, longer. Eight days, nine days, lost in rice paddies. Remember Hoi An’s lanterns? Silken threads in the humid air. A thousand shimmering dreams. Did I see a ghost there? No, just the past, breathing.

Thailand, shorter. Five days, six days. Temples rising, golden against the blue. Bangkok’s chaos, a beautiful noise. Mango sticky rice. A single bite, pure bliss. The scent of incense? Oh, the scent of longing.

Golden temples, yeah, and the emerald fields. It blurs, really. Thailand. Vietnam. Both calling. Both beautiful. Forever etched. Forever… mine.

Here, information about these countries:

Vietnam

• Hoi An: Ancient town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lanterns, tailored clothes, delicious street food. River cruises at sunset. It stays with you.
• Rice Paddies: Vast expanses of green. Picturesque landscapes. Sapa’s terraced fields are really unforgettable. Remember that?
• Street Food: Pho. Banh mi. Spring rolls. A culinary adventure. Affordable, authentic. And yeah, spicy!

Thailand

• Bangkok: Bustling capital. Temples, markets, nightlife. River cruises, rooftop bars. A city that never sleeps. It truly doesn’t.
• Golden Temples: Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Saket. Impressive architecture. Rich history, spiritual significance. Awestruck.
• Mango Sticky Rice: Classic dessert. Sweet mango, sticky rice, coconut milk. Simple, yet sublime. Seriously, try it.

Is 2 weeks enough for Thailand and Vietnam?

Two weeks for Thailand and Vietnam? Bless your heart. Like trying to taste the rainbow with a teaspoon. You’ll get a lick of flavor, sure, but hardly the full ROYGBIV experience.

• Hanoi & Halong Bay: Whirlwind romance. Quick peek at ancient beauty. Imagine speed-dating a supermodel. Beautiful, but fleeting.
• Bangkok & Chiang Mai: Temples, tuk-tuks, tailor shops. Enough time to buy a questionable elephant print shirt and regret it later. Which you will.

Ideally? Double it. Two weeks each. Vietnam is like a complex pho broth. Thailand? A spicy green curry. Needs simmering, savoring. Rushing ruins the delicate balance.

My personal two cents (or baht, or dong): focus on one. Really soak it in. I spent three weeks in Chiang Mai alone last year, learning Muay Thai and perfecting my Pad See Ew consumption. Still wasn’t enough. Almost bought a one-way ticket. True story. Then I remembered my cat, Mr. Fluffernutter. He wouldn’t approve.

Pro-tip: Prioritize. Beaches? Temples? Street food coma? Pick your poison. Then conquer it. Don’t try to be Indiana Jones on a budget airline itinerary. You’ll end up more frazzled than fabulous.

Where should I go from Thailand?

Laos, right? Vientiane’s chill. Way different than Bangkok, which, oof, crazy busy. Remember that time we were stuck in that tuk-tuk in Bangkok for like, an hour? Ugh. Anyway, Vientiane, total opposite. Super laid back. Then there’s Langkawi, Malaysia–beaches, duty-free shopping. Score! Did you know Langkawi has like, a cable car that goes up a mountain? Insane views I bet. Siem Reap, Cambodia, obvious choice. Angkor Wat, duh. But that wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia, Kulen Promtep…never heard of it. Sounds cool though, lots of monkeys probably. Perhentian Islands–diving, I think. Malaysia again. Might as well island hop, right? Myanmar…Naypyidaw. The capital, isn’t it? Kinda weird. Phou Khao Khouay… another Laos spot. Must be mountains or something. And Phong Nha, Vietnam. Caves! Huge ones. I saw a picture once, massive.

• Vientiane, Laos: Slow pace, good for relaxing after the chaos of Bangkok.
• Langkawi, Malaysia: Beaches, duty-free shopping, cable car with mountain views.
• Siem Reap, Cambodia: Angkor Wat, obviously. Touristy but a must-see.
• Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia: Monkeys and other wildlife. Less touristy.
• Perhentian Islands, Malaysia: Diving and island hopping. Crystal clear water.
• Naypyidaw, Myanmar: The new capital. Planned city, bit strange.
• Phou Khao Khouay, Laos: Mountainous region, good for hiking.
• Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam: Huge cave systems. UNESCO World Heritage site.

So, like, lots of options. Depends what you’re into. Beaches? Mountains? Temples? I went to Koh Lanta last year, in Thailand, amazing. Totally different vibe. You should check it out if you have time. But yeah, those places near Thailand, all good choices, I spose. Vietnam’s cool too. Remember that time we ate those weird spring rolls in Hanoi? Good times.