Thailand Travel Experience: Full Update from A to Z

With its rich culture, amazing cuisine and stunning beaches, Thailand is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a great trip.

1. Why should you choose to travel to Thailand?

Reasonable costs are what make Thailand a favorite destination for young people. (Photo: Hisu Lee)

Thailand is a wonderful destination. With diverse landscapes from beautiful beaches like Phuket, Koh Samui to the green mountains in Chiang Mai; from ancient Ayutthaya , Pattaya to modern and vibrant Bangkok... offering tourists a variety of experiences.

Not only that, Thailand also has a very unique culture, with more than 40,000 temples, you will admire the exquisite architecture, imbued with Buddhist identity.

The rich Thai cuisine is also what makes tourists want to come back here. Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, and Som Tum are famous dishes worldwide.

Most importantly, it's affordable. Thailand offers a wide range of travel options from budget to luxury, to suit every budget.

2. Ideal time to travel to Thailand

The best time to travel to Thailand is from November to May of the following year because during these months there is almost no rain and the weather is not too hot. (Photo: Collected)

The weather in Thailand is similar to Vietnam. However, based on my experience traveling to Thailand, I see that there are 3 main seasons:

November - December, I temporarily call it the peak season. Because this is the ideal time for outdoor activities, the weather is cool and there is little rain, so many tourists choose to travel to Thailand at this time.
March - May is quite hot in Thailand, suitable for exploring the beaches. And April is the time of Songkran water festival.
June - October can be called low season because of the rain, some areas have a lot of rain. However, if you travel to Thailand during this time, you can enjoy cheaper room rates and less crowded.

3. What to prepare when traveling to Thailand?

You will not need a visa if you intend to travel to Thailand. However, before you depart, you need to prepare:

Passport valid for at least 6 months. Immigration declaration, air ticket; Hotel reservation confirmation; Specific itinerary, the more detailed the better; Personal documents. (Note: Experience in traveling to Thailand suggests that you need to dress politely and have a cooperative attitude with immigration authorities).
Currency: The Thai Baht (THB) is the main currency. You should exchange money in Vietnam or use an international card in Thailand. Also, you are not allowed to bring more than 50,000 baht in cash when leaving Thailand.
Phone and Internet SIM: Buy a 4G SIM at the airport for convenient communication and information lookup.

4. Travel and accommodation experience when traveling to Thailand

To travel to Thailand, you can choose to travel by car or plane. However, currently, airplanes are the most popular means of transportation that many people choose. There are many flights to Thailand from major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, etc., so you can easily choose.

Tuk-tuk. (Photo: Collected)

The most popular airlines today include: Vietnam Airlines, Vietravel Airlines, VietJet Airways, Jestar Airways, Thai VietJet Airways, Bamboo Airways, Air Asia, Nok Air, Thai Smile Airways or Thai Airways. All flights arrive in Bangkok or you can easily connect to Chiang Mai or Phuket depending on your Thailand travel schedule.
Round-trip airfare from Vietnam to Thailand usually ranges from 2 million to 4 million VND.

Transportation in Thailand

In Thailand, you can choose BTS Skytrain, MRT (subway) to travel around Bangkok. In addition, Grab, tuk-tuk and taxi are all popular options. To save money, you should use the Grab or Bolt app.

Stay in Thailand

Bangkok has many hotels and homestays with a variety of prices. (Photo: Collected)

Hotels in Bangkok range from budget to luxury. Prices range from 500,000 - 1 million VND/night for 3-star hotels, from 1 - 3 million VND/night for 4-5 star hotels.
If you come to Pattaya, Thailand travel experience suggests you should choose coastal resorts to experience. Room rates from 2 million VND/night with beautiful sea view.

5. Outstanding tourist destinations in Thailand

Thailand is an ideal destination for all types of tourism, from culture, cuisine, shopping to islands and wildlife. Here are the tourist destinations in Thailand that you cannot miss:

5.1. Travel to Bangkok - The vibrant and colorful capital

A corner of the Thai Royal Palace seen from the outside. Photo: Unsplash

Bangkok is a city that never sleeps, famous for its dazzling temples, bustling shopping malls and vibrant nightlife.

Grand Palace (Royal Palace)

This is a historical symbol of Thailand, where you will see exquisite royal architecture and majestic Buddha statues. The highlight is Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), one of the most sacred temples in Thailand. To visit, you need to wear polite clothes (no off-shoulder shirts, no shorts).

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is considered one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok, especially at sunset. The main pagoda is over 70m high, decorated with thousands of colorful porcelain pieces, creating a shimmering beauty when the sunlight shines on it.

Chatuchak Market

This is Thailand’s largest flea market, open on weekends and with over 15,000 stalls, you can find everything from clothes, accessories, handicrafts to delicious street food like mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

About 100km from Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is where you can experience the unique Thai culture of trading on the river. Here, visitors will sit on small boats and enjoy local dishes such as Thai noodles and fresh fruit.

5.2. Pattaya Tourism - The vibrant coastal city

Pattaya is one of the beautiful coastal cities, attracting many Vietnamese tourists to come here. (Photo: Collected)

Pattaya is a popular destination with beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife.

Khao Chee Chan

Chan Bao Phat Son is a giant Buddha statue carved on the mountain, covered in brilliant gold, 109m high. This is not only a famous spiritual tourist destination in Thailand but also a favorite check-in place for many tourists when coming to Pattaya.

Pattaya Floating Market

Covering an area of over 100,000 square meters, this floating market is divided into four areas, representing the four regions of Thailand. You can enjoy local specialties, shop for souvenirs, and experience local culture.

Coral Island (Koh Larn)

Coral Island is located about 7km from Pattaya, famous for its white sand beaches and clear blue water. Activities such as diving, kayaking, and parasailing are very popular with tourists.

5.3. Chiang Mai - Land of culture and wild, majestic nature

Chiang Mai - “The Rose of the North”. (Photo: Getty Images)

Chiang Mai is imbued with ancient Lanna culture and is an ideal Thailand tourist destination for those who love to explore culture and nature.

Doi Suthep Temple

This is a famous temple located on Doi Suthep mountain, with a panoramic view of Chiang Mai city from an altitude of more than 1,000m. To reach Doi Suthep temple, you will have to climb more than 300 steps, but the surrounding scenery is worth the effort.

Elephant Nature Park

Elephant Nature Park is an elephant sanctuary and rescue center in Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, about 60km from Chiang Mai City. If you love animals, this is a great place to learn about the lives of rescued elephants. Unlike other elephant riding tourist spots, here you will experience feeding, bathing and playing with elephants in a natural way.

Botanic Garden Cactus Nursery

Botanic Garden is known as a very famous cactus nursery in Chiang Mai with thousands of species of cacti and other plants here. Most of them are grown in transparent glass, giving visitors the feeling of being lost in a miniature plant world.

5.4. Phuket - Island paradise

Phuket is known for its high mountains and lush jungles, beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Phuket is an ideal destination for beach lovers, with beautiful beaches and exciting water sports activities.

Patong Beach

This is Phuket's most famous beach, with many activities such as diving, parasailing, kayaking. At night, the Bangla Road area here is a vibrant entertainment place with bars and restaurants.

Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay is famous for its limestone mountains rising high above the blue sea. One of the highlights is James Bond Island, which appeared in the movie "The Man with the Golden Gun".

6. Unique experiences to try when traveling to Thailand

Thailand tourism also attracts tourists with unique traditional festivals, taking place throughout the year. Below are typical festivals and experiences that Thailand travel experience recommends you definitely try:

6.1. Traditional festivals in Thailand

Songkran is the traditional New Year festival in Thailand that is most loved by tourists. (Photo: Collected)

January: Chinese New Year Festival in Thailand

Location: Nationwide, especially in Chinatown areas in Bangkok.
The Chinese New Year festival features lion and dragon parades, firecrackers, and traditional performances. Experience the Chinese New Year culture in Thailand with signature dishes and lucky rituals.

February: Chiang Mai Flower Festival

Location: Chiang Mai City
Taking place in early February, the Chiang Mai Flower Festival is a chance to see the city transformed into a sea of flowers with a series of parades, floats and flower art displays. You will see typical flowers such as orchids, chrysanthemums, bougainvillea and enjoy traditional performances.

April: Songkran Water Festival

Location: Nationwide, especially in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year festival, usually taking place from April 13 to 15. This is an opportunity for Thai people to pay respect to their elders, clean Buddha statues and participate in "water fights". Tourists to Thailand during this time will experience the traditional water-splashing culture and participate in exciting street activities.

The Lantern Festival is a unique annual cultural event in Chiang Mai. (Photo: Collected)

November: Loy Krathong and Yi Peng Festivals

Location: Loy Krathong takes place all over Thailand, while Yi Peng is mainly in Chiang Mai.
Loy Krathong is a festival of floating lanterns on the river, while Yi Peng is a festival of releasing sky lanterns. This is an occasion for Thai people to express their gratitude to the water god and pray for good luck. Traveling to Thailand at this time, you will be amazed by the sight of thousands of lanterns flying into the sky and the sparkling sky lanterns on the river creating an extremely magical picture.

December: Christmas Festival

Location: Nationwide, most popular in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket
Although not a traditional holiday in Thailand, major cities still hold grand events to welcome Christmas and New Year. Streets are decorated brightly, performances and parties take place everywhere. Activities such as the countdown at Central World Bangkok or New Year's Eve beach parties in Pattaya and Phuket attract large numbers of international tourists.

6.2. Unique experiences to try in Thailand

Besides traditional activities and unique festivals, Thailand also has many modern and interesting experiences that tourists should try. Here are some unique experiences that you should add to your Thailand travel itinerary 2025 .

Enjoy Buffet at Baiyoke Sky. (Photo: Collected)

Enjoy Dinner Buffet at Baiyoke Sky Hotel – The highest restaurant in Thailand

Baiyoke Sky is the tallest building in Thailand with 88 floors, famous for its dinner buffet experience at the revolving restaurant on the 76th and 78th floors. Here, visitors can enjoy international dishes, Thai specialties and admire the panoramic view of the sparkling city of Bangkok from a height of more than 300 meters. The buffet menu is also very diverse, from fresh seafood, sushi, sashimi to traditional Thai dishes. Thailand travel experience reminds you not to forget to visit the revolving observation deck on the 84th floor to get beautiful "virtual life" photos.

Fruit Picking at Suphattra Land – Tropical Fruit Paradise

Located in Rayong Province, about 140 km from Bangkok, Suphattra Land is a large fruit garden with an area of hundreds of hectares, where you can enjoy tropical fruits all year round such as durian, mangosteen, rambutan and jackfruit. The experience of picking fresh fruit right in the garden and enjoying it on the spot is an interesting activity, especially for families with children. You can also join tours and learn about the process of cultivating and caring for plants.

Enjoy dinner on a Chao Phraya River cruise

Combining fine dining with a romantic river view, a cruise on the Chao Phraya River is one of the best experiences in Bangkok that Thailand travel experience sincerely recommends you should not miss. Dinner is served with traditional Thai dishes while the cruise passes famous attractions such as Wat Arun, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Not only is the dinner luxurious, visitors can also enjoy traditional dance performances and live music, providing a complete experience of Thai culture .

Enjoy the Calypso Cabaret Show. (Photo: Collected)

Calypso Cabaret Show – Enjoy unique art performances

Calypso Cabaret is one of Thailand’s most famous performing arts shows, usually held at Asiatique The Riverfront (Bangkok) with colorful performances by transgender artists. The show combines music, dance, and gorgeous costumes, creating a fun and exciting atmosphere. The show is not only a performance art, but also shows diversity and celebrates the LGBTQ+ community in Thailand.

See a musical performance at Castello Di Bellagio

Castello Di Bellagio is a unique restaurant and music performance complex in Pattaya, inspired by Italian architecture. Traveling to Pattaya, visitors can enjoy live music performances and traditional dances in a luxurious space. The space is designed in a classic European style, combined with modern music and unique cuisine, bringing a new experience of enjoying art.

Experience a resort on the river and check-in at The Village Farm to Café

If you are looking for a quiet retreat in the middle of nature, the river resorts in Kanchanaburi are the ideal choice that Thailand travel experience suggests for you. One of the famous check-in spots is The Village Farm to Café , where you can enjoy the fresh air and admire the poetic countryside. Here, visitors will experience rural life, participate in activities such as boating, fishing and enjoy breakfast at beautiful view cafes.

6.3. Some other experiential activities in Thailand

Traditional Thai Massage - Relaxing experience in Thailand. (Photo: Collected)

Take a Thai cooking class: Learning how to cook Thai dishes in the place where they originated is a memorable experience. You can learn to make Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, and Green Curry at popular cooking classes in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
Traditional Thai massage: Known as the "golden therapy" for health, Thai massage helps relax the body, reduce stress and regenerate energy.
Watch Muay Thai: Muay Thai is the traditional martial art of Thailand, and there is nothing more exciting than watching a live Muay Thai match at stadiums like Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok.
Explore the jungle and waterfalls: Thailand has many beautiful national parks and waterfalls such as Erawan Waterfall, Thi Lo Su and Doi Inthanon. This is a great destination for those who love nature and adventure.

7. What and where to eat when traveling to Thailand?

Pad Thai - Thai street food. (Photo: Collected)

Thailand is a culinary paradise with thousands of unique street foods. And here are 3 Thai specialties you must try, otherwise this trip is not really complete.

Pad Thai: Stir-fried noodles with shrimp, usually costs around 40-60 Baht (about 30,000 - 50,000 VND).
Tom Yum: A typical spicy and sour soup, priced around 50-80 Baht (about 40,000 - 60,000 VND).
Mango Sticky Rice: Popular dessert, priced from 30 - 50 Baht (about 20,000 - 40,000 VND).

To enjoy local food, you can visit night markets such as Chatuchak, Asiatique The Riverfront in Bangkok, Chiang Mai night market or Pattaya floating market.

8. What should I buy as gifts when traveling to Thailand?

Red Thai tea. (Photo: Collected)

Experience in traveling to Thailand shows that some popular gifts that tourists often buy as gifts for relatives and friends after a trip to Thailand are:

Thai Tea: Thai milk tea has a special flavor and is prepackaged.
Thai cosmetics: Skin care products from famous brands such as Snail White, Mistine. Or Thai oils are also very popular.
Handicrafts: Buddha statues, lacquer boxes and handwoven products.

9. Things to note when traveling to Thailand

Dress code when entering the temple: Should wear modest clothes, do not wear short skirts or shorts.
Be careful with taxis and tuk-tuks: Thailand travel experience reminds you to ask the price before getting in the car to avoid being ripped off.
Do not touch someone's head: This is considered disrespectful in Thailand.

10. Should I go on a tour of Thailand or travel independently? How much should I prepare?

Wat Arun Temple is memorable with its magnificent beauty nestled along the Chao Phraya River. (Photo: Collected)

"Should I travel to Thailand on a tour or on my own?" - This is also the question I hear most people ask each other.

Independent travel: The average cost for a 5-day, 4-night trip is about 8 - 12 million VND, not including airfare.
Go on a tour: 5N4D Thailand tours cost from 6 - 12 million VND, including airfare, hotel, tour guide and entrance tickets.

So, according to my experience traveling to Thailand , you should go on a tour to save more money. And you also don't have to waste time planning where to go, where to stay, what to eat, what to do...

11. Suggested 5N4D Thailand travel itineraries

Itinerary No. 1: Thailand: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi - Pattaya (Visit FROST Magical Ice of Siam, Four Regions Floating Market, Experience the river resort and check in at The Village Farm to Café)
Itinerary No. 2: Super Sale 🔥 Thailand: Bangkok - Pattaya (Explore the 3D Painting Museum, Big Buddha Temple, Castello Di Bellagio Castle & enjoy Lunch Buffet at Centara Bangkok)
Itinerary No. 3: Thailand: Bangkok - Pattaya - Ayutthaya (5* Hotel, Nong Nooch Village, Four Regions Floating Market, Enjoy dinner buffet on 5-star cruise & Boeing 747 airplane cafe, Free Thai milk tea)
Itinerary No. 4: Thailand: Pattaya - Bangkok (Nong Nooch Orchid Garden, Four Regions Floating Market, Colosseum Show and Buffet at BaiYoke Sky) | Welcome New Year 2025
Itinerary No. 5: Thailand: Pattaya - Bangkok (5-star hotel, Nong Nooch Orchid Garden, Visit Wat Arun, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Enjoy dinner buffet at Baiyoke Sky) | Welcome New Year 2025
Itinerary No. 6: Thailand: Bangkok - Pattaya (Nong Nooch Orchid Garden, The Chocolate Factory, Alcazar Show and enjoy dinner on Chao Phraya River cruise)
Itinerary No. 7: Thailand: Pattaya - Bangkok (Nong Nooch Orchid Garden, Four Regions Floating Market, Colosseum Show and Buffet at BaiYoke Sky) | Welcome New Year 2025
Itinerary No. 8: Thailand: Pattaya - Bangkok (5-star hotel, Nong Nooch Orchid Garden, Visit Wat Arun, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Enjoy dinner buffet at Baiyoke Sky) | Welcome New Year 2025
Itinerary No. 9: Thailand: Pattaya – Rayong – Koh Samet - Bangkok (Discover the Tropical Fruit Paradise Suphattra Land & the Magical Crystal Island) | New Program | Welcome the New Year 2025
Itinerary No. 10: Thailand: Bangkok - Pattaya (Lighting Art Museum and Balloon Garden, Four Regions Floating Market, Enjoy dinner on Chao Phraya River Cruise, Free tickets to Calypso Cabaret Show, Gold-covered Cake and Mango Sticky Rice)
Itinerary No. 11: Thailand Bangkok - Pattaya (Explore Louis Tussaud Wax Museum Pattaya, Wat Arun Temple, Free Buffet at BaiYoke Sky)

Hopefully with these detailed Thailand travel experiences , you will have a memorable and fulfilling journey. Wish you a safe and enjoyable trip in the "Land of Golden Temples"!