Philip Beere, who runs the YouTube channel The Borderless Office for 74,100 subscribers, filmed himself in Ho Chi Minh City in a video on Aug. 2.

His first impression, he said, was of "more optimism in the air," with "a lot more youthful energy" and "a lot more hustle energy."

He said Vietnam was growing at around 8% against Thailand's 2% and predicted that "very soon the Vietnam economy overtakes Thailand's," and said he had noticed "a lot of new corporations moving here."

Beere praised Thailand in many previous videos, but said the country has changed over his six years there.

He said tourism was beginning to consume the country, and that Phuket "might be the warning for the rest of Thailand." Thailand increasingly draws people "seeking low costs, permissiveness, or escape, but not necessarily cultural engagement," he said in the video, which has attracted more than 45,000 views.

"I love the people of Thailand. I love the culture," Beere said, citing the ease, safety and politeness that draw foreigners there, but added that the heat, the air and worsening floods have discouraged him from experiencing the country further.

Vietnam's economy grew 8.02% in 2025. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development puts Thailand's 2025 growth at 2.4% and projects 6.5% for Vietnam in 2026 against 1.7% for Thailand. Nikkei Asia has reported Vietnam on track to overtake Thailand in nominal GDP as early as 2026 or 2027, driven by a state-led infrastructure push and a planned 26% increase in public investment.

Thailand remains substantially richer per head, at $7,980 against Vietnam's $4,740.

Since 2024 Thailand has taxed all income remitted by anyone staying 180 days or more, a change that a Thai Examiner survey reported had prompted 55% of respondents to consider leaving.

Beere said he is spending a few weeks in Vietnam and plans comparison videos between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok.

The Thaiger, reviewing Beere's video, pointed to Ho Chi Minh City with similar issues including air quality problems, urban flooding and high central-district rents.

Vietnam offers no retirement visa, and its e-visa runs to a maximum of 90 days.

The country issues temporary residence cards valid from two years for foreign workers, family members of Vietnamese citizens, students and investors.

NPR reported in April that social media is steering American expats toward Southeast Asia, citing a Brookings Institution study estimating U.S. net migration turned negative in 2025 for the first time in at least half a century.