Question

How do Thais and Vietnamese see each other?

Answer 1

This is good question.

Agree with what've been said by Pachara Wattana , born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. I speak up as a person born and raised in Saigon, Vietnam ;)

Vietnamese has similar opinion as Thai does. Things mentioned by Pachara about how Thai thinks about Vietnam are coincidently things Vietnamese thinks about Thai. We - Thai and Vietnamese - think same about each other. That gives Vietnamese (I think Thai, too, because Pachara also mentioned) a sense of sound competition to upgrade our country - towards a bright future. Why? Because Vietnamese always sees Thai as further developed than Vietnam in almost life aspects: economy in general (industry + agriculture); tourism; public health; lifestyle; every thing… And why, Vietnamese talks about, thinks about Thai as a mirror for comparison? Why does Vietnamese takes Thai, but not Indonesian or Malaysian or Campodian,… Because Thai and Vietnamese are countries with very similar conditions, culture, people,… and because Vietnamese love Thai and trust Thai. In Vietnamese culture, if we don't like some things or if we don't hate a country, we will use name of that country negatively for comparison (e.g. talking about bad habit,…). Even though Vietnam lives next to Laos and Cambodia and China, but we think that the level of development of Thai and Vietnam can be considered same (Vietnam + 10–20 years later = Thailand at the present). By that way, we think that electing Thailand is good and feasible for Vietnam to look about good and model future.

Same in sport, music, and international integration. Thai also causes lots of ink and paper in Vietnam. We can see it clearly in football. Vietnamese newspaper gives their opinion on how to catch up with development of Thai football, etc…

To sum up, Vietnamese thinks good about Thai people. Vietnamese thinks Thai as a model for development even though Vietnamese also takes into account samples from other Asian countries. The origin of those comes from the real situation of Vietnam. Vietnam integrates later into international community. So, we think that, it can take us less time by utilizing lesson learnt from other countries like Thailand. We also have good relationship with Thai government. We can be considered have the best relationship of all time.

Answer 2

To the eyes of a normal Vietnamese, Thais/Thailand is

A land of ladyboys (no offense but a lot of Vietnamese I know still consider Thai as having a lot of transgendered females. If you tell somebody that you are going to Thailand, chances are that people will joke about you going to change your gender).

A land of beautiful temples and pagodas.

A friendly and modern place.

A second Japan (this is just my opinion only, since there are a lot of Japanese pop culture aspects were integrated into Thai's daily life).

Answer 3

Vietnamese from Saigon here. Thai people have good manners and do not seem to get angry. Easy-going and direct nature make them seem quite similar to southern Vietnamese mentality. Vietnamese look at Thailand as a competitor and a goal to be attained.

Negative point: stories about Thai pirates raping and killing Vietnamese boat people in the 1980s.

Answer 4

My most humble salutation to the amiable Thai people!

I have had the pleasure of spending hours of intimacy with Thai friends, and my impression is always the same, that of Joviality and merriment. Citizens of The Land of Smiles surely fulfill their nation's well deserved reputation.

It would be injustice to overlook the skillful Thai chefs, with their exquisite cuisine, excellently refined in quality. Green curry rice, mango sticky rice, Tom Yum soup, and so on. I will not need a second invitation.

One could hear the marvelous chorus of Kpop voices, see the magical scenes of Kdrama, and he will be consumed by the furious desire of traveling to Seoul. One also could imagine himself being walking into his favorite Anime movie, drifted in a dreamy, joyous Japanese fantastic world, and he will be content to wander in this visionary, wondrous scenery indefinitely. Obviously imagination has its limit and as for me, the sight of Nira Kongsawat and her lovely friends is enough for motivation. The greatest tourism ambassadors, I may say with confidence, that the dazzling beauty and her companions had conquered innumerable Vietnamese hearts, many of whom had shown the most powerful enthusiasm for Thailand, including me. Oh, I cannot wait for my first travel to Thailand!

Answer 5

From a Vietnamese:

Thais are richer and more developed;

Thais are diplomatically pragmatic;

Thais are somehow of calm nature. They have nice manner and honest.

Thais are more internationally connected;

Thais people are great friends.