Six friends, first trip abroad together, want beaches plus nightlife plus cheap — Vietnam or Thailand?

For six friends optimising fun-per-rupee: Thailand, and it isn't close. Vietnam is the better country for culture and scenery — we say so in print — but the group-trip formula (islands + nightlife + effortless logistics + food at 2am) is Thailand's home game: Bangkok's energy, the Phuket–Phi Phi circuit, hostel-to-villa options at every budget, and a tourism machine that makes six people moving together frictionless. The 2026 visa change costs each of you ~₹5,900 on arrival (carry baht cash) or a pre-done e-Visa — annoying, not decisive. Group hacks from our desk: one villa on Airbnb-style platforms often beats three hotel rooms; book the party boat/island day as a private charter split six ways (better and barely dearer than tickets); and put one person in charge of the TDAC arrival cards for everyone, 72 hours before flying. The 6-day itinerary adapts cleanly for a group.