Living & visas
Vietnam or Thailand: where is better to live and spend the winter
Vietnam and Thailand are often chosen by the same people: warm sea, great food and affordable living. Both really are good countries, just for different goals. We compared them on what matters for long stays and wintering: visas, buying a home, prices, healthcare and the weather during the northern winter.
In short
- For short trips Vietnam is easier: 45 days visa-free for Russians and a 90-day e-visa. For long stays Thailand offers more: a retirement visa, the 5-year DTV, the LTR.
- A condo in Thailand is owned by a foreigner without time limit (49% quota), in Vietnam for 50 years with one extension (30% quota).
- Vietnam is on average 20 – 25% cheaper, but in winter Nha Trang and Da Nang have their rainy season while Pattaya is dry.
In short: who suits which
- Vietnam suits affordable stays of a few months, for people ready for less developed service who want a more authentic feel.
- Thailand suits long-term life: families with children, retirees, remote workers and anyone who wants to own a home.
Entry and visas
| Vietnam | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free for Russians | 45 days, extended until 15.03.2028 | 30 days, extendable by 30 |
| Short visa | e-visa up to 90 days, $25 single, $50 multiple | tourist visa |
| Retirement visa | none | yes, from age 50 |
| Remote worker visa | none | DTV for 5 years, up to 180 days per entry |
| Long-term statuses | investor visas and temporary residence card | LTR for 10 years, Thailand Privilege |
The Vietnamese e-visa is issued on the official site evisa.gov.vn; apply at least 10 days ahead. Extending it in the country without a sponsor is usually not possible, so long stays in Vietnam often mean leaving and re-entering.
Thailand has more long-term visas: retirement (from 50, 800,000 ฿ in a Thai bank or income from 65,000 ฿ a month), the DTV for remote workers (fee about 10,000 ฿, 500,000 ฿ in the bank), education and guardian visas for families. Overviews in The DTV and wintering and Thailand visa exemption.
Buying a condo
| Vietnam | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership term | 50 years, one extension of 50 on application | freehold, inheritable |
| Foreign quota | up to 30% of units in a building | up to 49% of unit floor area |
| Land | no | no, land lease up to 30 years |
In Vietnam, under the 2023 Housing Law, foreigners buy in commercial projects. In September 2026 Vietnam's Ministry of Construction published draft amendments that would limit foreigners to apartments only, without houses. It is still a draft.
In Thailand a condo is registered to a foreigner freehold if the money comes from abroad. The process is covered in How to buy a condo in Thailand.
Prices
Numbeo data for October 2026 (a user survey, not official statistics):
| Pattaya | Nha Trang | Da Nang | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom in the centre, per month | 20,493 ฿ | 13,791 ฿ | 19,042 ฿ |
| Lunch at a simple café | 100 ฿ | 90 ฿ | 78 ฿ |
| Home internet | 640 ฿ | 317 ฿ | 276 ฿ |
Living costs excluding rent in Da Nang are 23.5% lower than in Pattaya, per Numbeo. By 2025–2026 reviews, rent in Pattaya and Nha Trang is nearly equal for the same class of home and distance to the sea, and rents in Vietnam rose noticeably in 2026. Food and beer are cheaper in Vietnam, while familiar foods like buckwheat, cottage cheese and cheese are easier to find in Thailand.
A detailed Pattaya budget is in What it costs to live in Pattaya.
Winter weather
This is the key argument for winter visitors:
- Nha Trang: rainy season October to December, beach season roughly February to September.
- Da Nang: rain and typhoons September to December, peaking in October and November.
- Pattaya: rainy season May to October, dry and sunny November to March.
So when it is winter in Russia, Pattaya is in high season while central Vietnam has rain and waves. Southern Vietnam (Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City) is dry in winter. Month-by-month weather in Pattaya weather by month.
Healthcare
- Vietnam: two Vinmec hospitals, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, hold JCI accreditation. Nha Trang and Da Nang also have Vinmec hospitals. By reviews, doctor visits and dentistry are noticeably cheaper.
- Thailand: well-developed private medicine, interpreters and English-speaking doctors, several international hospitals in Pattaya. More expensive, so insurance is needed. More in Healthcare and insurance in Pattaya.
Schools, service and infrastructure
- Schools: Thailand has a wider choice of international schools, especially around Pattaya and Bangkok.
- Service: malls, chain stores, roads and pharmacies are more developed in Thailand.
- Atmosphere: many compare Vietnam to the Thailand of years past, calmer and more authentic, and love it for that.
What to choose
- For 1 – 3 months on a tight budget both work, and Vietnam is often cheaper.
- For a winter by the sea Pattaya or southern Vietnam is the better bet.
- For years, with children or in retirement Thailand is more reliable: long-term visas, schools, freehold condos.
Summary
There is no "better" country, only the one that fits your goal. Vietnam wins on prices and easy short entry, Thailand on long-term visas, home ownership, schools and a dry winter in Pattaya.
If you are looking for a home in Pattaya, we will help you choose the area and the condo.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Vietnam or Thailand?
Per Numbeo for October 2026, living costs excluding rent in Da Nang are about 23.5% lower than in Pattaya. Rents in resort towns are close for the same class of home.
How long can Russians stay in Vietnam and Thailand without a visa?
45 days in Vietnam, 30 days in Thailand with a possible 30-day extension.
Can a foreigner buy a condo in Vietnam?
Yes, for 50 years with one possible 50-year extension, within 30% of units in a building. In Thailand a condo is owned freehold, with a 49% quota.
Is Nha Trang or Pattaya better for winter?
Nha Trang has its rainy season October to December, while Pattaya is dry and sunny November to March, so Pattaya is the more common winter choice.
Does Vietnam have a retirement visa?
No. Thailand has a retirement visa for people aged 50 and over.
Sources
- Vietnam: official e-visa portal
- Viet Nam News: draft to limit foreign ownership to apartments, 02.10.2026
- Vinmec: international hospitals in Vietnam
- Numbeo: cost of living in Pattaya, Nha Trang and Da Nang, October 2026
- Condominium Act B.E. 2522 (1979), Office of the Council of State
This article is for general information and is not legal or tax advice. Laws, fees and project terms change: before a deal we check the current conditions for the specific property.
