Stunning aerial landscape of green hills and modern buildings in Sapa, Vietnam. — photo: HONG SON

Southeast Asia’s second most visited country considers visa waivers to counter 30% decline in Latin American arrivals

Southeast Asia’s second most visited country considers visa waivers to counter 30% decline in Latin American arrivals

Southeast Asia is worth knowing before you plan the route. Landmark APEC 2027 convention center performance hall near completion on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island Thailand is considering a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from Colombia. Mexico Uzbekistan to ease visa processing delays attract more long-haul visitors. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will submit a proposal to the visa policy committee on Nov.

Landmark APEC 2027 convention center performance hall near completion on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island Thailand is considering a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from Colombia. For travelers, the practical note is how Southeast Asia fits into a realistic Vietnam day.

Planning a trip around Southeast Asia? V-International Tour & Travel can help shape a practical Vietnam itinerary.

Southeast Asia in Practice

9, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Monday, as reported by The Nation Thailand . For example, the proposal comes amid growing concerns that visa-processing delays are disrupting Thailand’s long-haul tourism market. For instance, particularly travel from Latin America, with passenger show-up rates on some flights falling by 20% to 30%. Khaosod English news site reported.

Southeast Asia in Practice — Stunning aerial landscape of green hills and modern buildings in Sapa, Vietnam. (photo: HONG SON)
Stunning aerial landscape of green hills and modern buildings in Sapa, Vietnam. — photo: HONG SON

How to Place Southeast Asia in Your Route

Key figures include 20%, 30%, 4.12%. These numbers show how Southeast Asia is unfolding in practice.

Useful reference points: 20%, 30%, 4.12%. Keep these in mind while you plan around southeast asia.

What to Expect on the Ground

Emirates recently filed a complaint with the Tourism Authority of Thailand after 20-30 passengers per flight from Mexico failed to show up. They had not received their visas in time, local media reported. Surasak said the ministry was seeking a long-term solution to persistent visa delays affecting Mexico. Other Latin American markets.

What to Expect on the Ground — Explore the vibrant scenery on a traditional boat ride through the Mekong Delta' (photo: Tomáš Malík)
Explore the vibrant scenery on a traditional boat ride through the Mekong Delta’s palm-lined waterways. — photo: Tomáš Malík

For deeper insights, explore our related coverage: Southeast Asia’s second most visited country delays $30 departure tax to sustain tourism growth and Southeast Asian island named among National Geographic’s best places to visit in 2027.

Planning Notes

The committee will assess the proposal’s security and economic implications, with the ministry seeking exemptions for countries considered to pose low security risks. Tourists on Mahanakhon Skywalk rooftop at Mahanakhon building in Bangkok, Thailand, May 15, 2025. Photo by Reuters Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand overseeing international markets in Europe. The Americas, the Middle East Africa, said visa procedures had also affected arrivals from Uzbekistan.

Planning Notes — Asian fishermen navigate a river in a wooden boat, surrounded by lush mangroves. (photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh)
Asian fishermen navigate a river in a wooden boat, surrounded by lush mangroves. — photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh

Nearby Ideas

Thai Examiner reported. For example, uzbek travelers previously had to apply for Thai e-visas through the Royal Thai Embassy in Russia. For instance, a process that travel agents in Uzbekistan considered cumbersome. Some travelers subsequently canceled their Thailand holiday packages and chose competing destinations, including Vietnam.

Nearby Ideas — Beautiful view of Da Nang cityscape with boats in the foreground on a sunny day. (photo: Kirandeep Singh Walia)
Beautiful view of Da Nang cityscape with boats in the foreground on a sunny day. — photo: Kirandeep Singh Walia

For more on Vietnam travel, see also: Southeast Asia’s second most visited country delays $30 departure tax to sustain tourism growth and World’s second most visited country sees nearly half its tourism activity outside peak season. Official visitor information is available from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Conclusion

Southeast Asia is a useful stop when you want quiet roads and time to look around. Keep the day flexible, and leave space for weather and slow meals.

Conclusion — Scenic view of the Imperial City in Hue, Vietnam, showcasing historical architec (photo: Vũ Bảo Lê)
Scenic view of the Imperial City in Hue, Vietnam, showcasing historical architecture under a vibrant, cloudy sky. — photo: Vũ Bảo Lê

For more information, visit Vietnam Government Portal.

Source: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/visa/southeast-asia-s-second-most-visited-country-considers-visa-waivers-to-counter-30-decline-in-latin-american-arrivals-5137427.html

What travellers should know

Landmark APEC 2027 convention center and performance hall near completion on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island

Further reading

Landmark APEC 2027 convention center and performance hall near completion on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island

Additional notes

Landmark APEC 2027 convention center and performance hall near completion on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island

Thailand is considering a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan to ease visa processing delays and attract more long-haul visitors.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will submit a proposal to the visa policy committee on Nov. For example, 9, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Monday, as reported by The Nation Thailand . For instance, the proposal comes amid growing concerns that visa-processing delays are disrupting Thailand’s long-haul tourism market, particularly travel from Latin America, with passenger show-up rates on some flights falling by 20% to 30%, Khaosod English news site reported. Emirates recently filed a complaint with the Tourism Authority of Thailand after 20-30 passengers per flight from Mexico failed to show up because they had not received their visas in time, local media reported. Surasak said the ministry was seeking a long-term solution to persistent visa delays affecting Mexico and other Latin American markets. The committee will assess the proposal’s security and economic implications, with the ministry seeking exemptions for countries considered to pose low security risks. Tourists on Mahanakhon Skywalk rooftop at Mahanakhon building in Bangkok, Thailand, May 15, 2025. Photo by Reuters Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand overseeing international markets in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, said visa procedures had also affected arrivals from Uzbekistan, Thai Examiner reported. Uzbek travelers previously had to apply for Thai e-visas through the Royal Thai Embassy in Russia, a process that travel agents in Uzbekistan considered cumbersome. Some travelers subsequently canceled their Thailand holiday packages and chose competing destinations, including Vietnam. The proposed exemption aims to simplify entry procedures, reduce disruptions to travel plans and restore confidence among international tour operators and airline partners. Thailand welcomed over 32 million tourists last year, becoming the second most visted country in Southeast Asia after Malaysia (42 million). It recorded 24.4 million foreign tourist arrivals between Jan.1 and Oct.17, down 4.12% year-on-year and far from this year’s target of 33 million tourists. Subsidiary of VnExpress License number: 71/GP-CBC, Ministry of Information and