Sri Lanka or Vietnam: Which Country Is Best For A Holiday

Unable to choose between Sri Lanka or Vietnam? Check this guide to find out why you should choose Sri Lanka.

Greenish tropical surroundings, beautiful serene landscapes, stunning beaches and ancient sacred places will remind you of two beautiful countries: Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

But are you planning to make one of them your holiday destination and struggling on which one to visit?.

To select the best, of course you have to do a comparison between both of these beautiful countries.

Check everything below to decide which one should be the next on your list from Sri Lanka vs Vietnam.

Tourist Attractions

Sigiriya rock fortress in Sri Lanka is a UNESCO world heritage. It has impressive architecture with a magnificent landscape.

Vietnam on the other hand, has Ha Long Bay. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site. It consists of thousands of limestones as well as islands and caves.

Sri Lanka has many beautiful places with astonishing views. Temple of the tooth is one of the famous places visited by both locals and foreigners. It is a Buddhist temple which is known as the sacred place of Buddha.

There are a lot more temples that are popular among people. Dambulla, Mahiyanganaya, Muthiyanganaya, Ruwanwali Maha Saya are some of the famous temples.

The coastal side of the island is also famous for its natural beauty and the stunning beaches. It has become a bucket list destination for surfing and whale watching.

The hill side in Sri Lanka is also an attraction that has caught the eyes of millions of visitors. Nuwaraeliya, Haputhale, Ohiya, Adams peak, Hatton, Ella are some great places for you if you’re in love with lush nature and cold weather. It is also suggested not to miss the train ride from Colombo to Badulla.

Vietnam is home to bustling cities, beautiful beaches and greenish landscapes. If you love exploring cities, Ho Chi Minh city is the largest in Vietnam. It has historical landmarks that belong to the French colonial era.

For beautiful forests and mountain landscapes, some of the best places that could be visited are Sapa, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, and Ninh Binh. 

These places have beautiful scenic views and adhere to their ethnic hill tribe culture. 

Da Nang is famous for having beautiful beaches together with mountains that would take anyone’s breath away. 

Vietnam, as well as Sri Lanka are famous for rice production and agriculture. So you will be able to see beautiful paddy fields all around the country. 

Food

Sri Lankan cuisine is blended with spices. The main staple food here is rice. It is served together with curries made from vegetables and meats. The island is surrounded with a sea that is enriched with seafood. So it has become another highlight of the cuisine.

Tea is another essential part of the culture and Sri Lanka produces some of the best tea in the world. Overall, the food here is delicious with a unique fusion of different flavors and textures.

Vietnamese cuisine is influenced by Chinese, French and Thai cuisine. It is popular among the tourists for the balanced taste, ingredients and the fusion of flavors. 

A lot of spices, herbs and vegetables are used in the making of Vietnamese food. There are some popular dishes such as Pho (noodle soup), Bun cha (pork with rice), Banh mi and Banh xeo. 

Hotpot is also popular among people in Vietnam filled with seafood, meat and vegetables. The strong coffee which is made with condensed milk is also famous. The food here is definitely worth a try for its diverse and flavorful cuisine.

Night Life

The nightlife in Sri Lanka is centered on its capital, Colombo. This place has a lot of pubs, bars, nightclubs, casinos and rooftop lounges. All of these places offer cocktails, drinks and other dishes mainly based on seafood and meat.

There are still enough hotspots for visitors to enjoy the night in Sri Lanka.

Vietnam on the other hand, offers a wide range of entertainment at night as the night life here has improved significantly around the recent years.

The night clubs, bars, lounges, karaoke clubs, beer gardens and street bars offer plenty for the visitors. Almost all the cities come to life with an array of nightlife activities for anyone who is seeking a space to dance the night away and enjoy.

Culture

Sri Lanka has a rich culture that is also influenced by Dutch, Portuguese, British and Indian. The predominant religion here is Buddhist. It is the home to many Buddhist sacred places. 

It also has a vibrant dancing and singing culture that reflect the heritage of the country. Kandyan dance is a well known traditional dance. The Esala perahera festival also features traditional dances, drumming and decorated elephants that showcase an extravagant display of the traditions.

It’s a diverse and rich culture with some unique blends. 

Vietnam’s culture is influenced by Chinese, American and French colonial traditions. Majority of the Vietnamese are Buddhist. Some also follow Taoism. 

A variety of instruments used in music and dancing that also feature a wide range of costumes. Folk painting is also very popular here which has now been modernized . The rich and complex culture reflects the long history of the country and its influence from different parts of the world. 

Cost

The cost of travel to these countries depend on several factors such as season, transportation type, accommodation and other activities.

But both the countries in general are affordable and very reasonable prices are available. 

Public transportation is also available in both countries and it is very affordable. Both countries have trains and buses. Sri Lanka has tuk-tuks if you prefer a cheap private ride.

Weather

Sri Lanka and Vietnam are located in Southeast Asia. Both of these countries therefore, have slightly similar weather patterns.

Sri Lanka has two monsoon seasons. So the period between December to April is considered the best time to visit because it’s sunny. The temperature here ranges from 25-31 celsius throughout the year.

Vietnam has a different climatic pattern. Some regions experience four distinct seasons while others have a tropical climate with high humidity. 

The best time to visit here is between October to April. The weather is dry in this season. Other times can be harsh in weather conditions due to the heavy rains or the heat.

Where to choose?

Choosing between these two beautiful countries depends on what you are expecting the trip to offer you. Both countries have a lot going on, so it’s better to prioritize your interests and decide based on it.

Both destinations are however, excellent choices that will let you have an enjoyable and a memorable trip.

If you like to visit Sri Lanka contact Travelco Leisure the travel agency in Sri Lanka to book a tour.