Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

TheImplication · Post by **TheImplication** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 9:11 am

WillieW wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 2:10 am He pointed to the fact that roughly 70% of international visitors return to Thailand thanks to effective marketing, while the rate in Vietnam stands at as low as 25%.

I would suggest the main reason is the Vietnamese blatantly rip off foreign tourists. Theres nothing like being cheated many times a day to put one off a country. Plus the bullshit 30 day max tourist visa.

I remember the first time I arrived in Saigon and thought I would get some cash exchanged. The shop in the airport straight up short changed me. I corrected them and they immediately put the rest on the stack. What an introduction that was.

Ong Tay · Post by **Ong Tay** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 9:51 am

Thailand has always "trounced" Vietnam in tourist arrivals, so not sure why this is so shocking.

As for the return visitor issue, it's true that Thailand attracts more repeat tourists. A more developed and diverse tourism scene encourages that.

I take TAT's stats with a large grain of salt, however. When I was living and working in Thailand, I was told by a Thai colleague who had worked for TAT at one point that I, as a foreigner, would be counted as a "tourist arrival" anytime I entered the country, despite living there legally with all the required documentation.

ExPenhMan · Post by **ExPenhMan** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:49 am

The key point of my post is that weak visa policy is strangling VN's foreign tourist numbers whereas Thailand's far more open policy is paying off -- though some common external factors serve to restrict the success of TH's tourist entry menu, like everywhere.

Based on various posts on expat forums and checks with a VN agent, VN is still not offering the 90-day tourist visa or the 12-month visa to Americans. Can't fathom why but something must be going on in the hierarchy of government. One guess is that there's such a huge shortage of hospitality staff throughout the country that VN is playing it safe. Also, the domestic tourist travel is quite robust.

But here we are, four months since the VN re-opening and the number of foreign travellers is pretty low, this despite huge Google search numbers for Vietnam destinations. As many western foreigners said time and time again in comments, they refuse to visit on a paltry 30-day paid visa or 15-day visa waiver. (Of course, the largest source of VN visitors is from the giant northern neighbour, which has virtually banned travel.) Maybe something more attractive will be advanced by the VN government when we get closer to this year's high season.

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 11:31 am

ExPenhMan wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:49 am The key point of my post is that weak visa policy is strangling VN's foreign tourist numbers whereas Thailand's far more open policy is paying off -- though some common external factors serve to restrict the success of TH's tourist entry menu, like everywhere.

Based on various posts on expat forums and checks with a VN agent, VN is still not offering the 90-day tourist visa or the 12-month visa to Americans. Can't fathom why but something must be going on in the hierarchy of government. One guess is that there's such a huge shortage of hospitality staff throughout the country that VN is playing it safe. Also, the domestic tourist travel is quite robust.

But here we are, four months since the VN re-opening and the number of foreign travellers is pretty low, this despite huge Google search numbers for Vietnam destinations. As many western foreigners said time and time again in comments, they refuse to visit on a paltry 30-day paid visa or 15-day visa waiver. (Of course, the largest source of VN visitors is from the giant northern neighbour, which has virtually banned travel.) Maybe something more attractive will be advanced by the VN government when we get closer to this year's high season.

30 days is the same as Cambodia, laos and Burma

2019; 14.3 of the 18 or so million were from Asia- --Korea & china were 10 of those
Except for the Asians, Vietnam ( as is Cambodia, Laos and Burma) is an add on destination, as soon as Thailand numbers climb, i expect the others in the area to climb as well

I've been in se asia since the early 80's still never been to Vietnam nor have any intention of going

Plan B · Post by **Plan B** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 12:15 pm

Vietnam doesn't seem in any hurry to change from its present visa structure. Pressure has been building for new longer visas to be offered but seems still not any time soon. Must be tough on tourist focused business.

Also a lot of expats have moved away from Vietnam and are now in Cambodia. That's another source of income local businesses miss out on.

Cambodia deservedly the winner.

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 12:25 pm

I'll help the Comrades out, I have my eVisa and will head to Vietnam at the end of this month. Would have preferred the old 3-month multi-entry visa, but it is what it is, 30 days will be okay.

I've never been ripped off in Vietnam myself. A lot could be said about the perceived lack of "friendliness" of the Vietnamese compared with others in the region and there's some truth in it, but for me, the country itself is stunning and they're friendly "enough". So in a nutshell, unlike with Cambodia and Thailand, the people aren't a draw for me - but also no reason to stay away. I find Middle Easterners much worse (outright nasty in fact) and I still visited.

sigmoid · Post by **sigmoid** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 4:47 pm

Alex wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 12:25 pm
...but for me, the country itself is stunning and they're friendly "enough".

Which parts of or places in Vietnam do you find stunning and would recommend?

WillieW · Post by **WillieW** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 5:24 pm

Yes . Im generalizing of course. There are many honest Vietnamese people. But 20 years of living and travelling in Vietnam I know how they cheat a whitey especially one who doesnt speak the lingo. They even cheat travelling Vietnamese. Speaking a few words of Vietnamese will definitely save you being cheated a lot but the average tourist is just a sitting target. Thailand may have more organized scams aimed at tourists but I talking about the everyday rip off overcharging which Vietnam excells at.

xX.TROPA.Xx · Post by **xX.TROPA.Xx** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 5:47 pm

Going to Phuket on Monday for a visa run boots on the ground say its good to go...

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 8:19 pm

xX.TROPA.Xx wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 5:47 pm Going to Phuket on Monday for a visa run boots on the ground say its good to go...

you travelling overland?
air aisa via bangkok PP one way ONLY $96
things are pickling up there friends say but its been raining nearly everyday for the past 2 weeks

Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

Re: Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

Re: Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

Re: Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

Re: Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

Re: Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

Re: Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

Re: Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

Re: Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

Re: Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

Re: Thailand trounces Vietnam in tourist arrivals and visas

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