Why VIETNAM is the better choice over Thailand and Philippines in 2026

Vietnam is breaking tourism records in 2025 and poised to overtake Thailand and the Philippines as Southeast Asia's top destination by 2026. This comparison video, hosted by a seven-year expat resident, examines cost of living, food, safety, visas, and infrastructure. Vietnam offers street-side coffee on the beach for about $2, a hearty bowl of noodles for $2, and hotel rooms from $30-40 a night, while Thailand prices are rising and the Philippines suffers from poor logistics. Violent crime is almost unheard of. Visas are easier than in the past but still require 90-day border runs for many nationalities. The country's diverse geography spans rice terraces in Sapa, caves in Phong Nha, imperial Hue, beach towns like Da Nang and Nha Trang, and the nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City. New airport and highway projects are making domestic travel more convenient. The video ultimately argues that Vietnam still feels raw and authentic, lacking the crowded, polished feel of more mature tourist economies in the region.