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

Southeast Asia’s second most visited country delays $30 departure tax to sustain tourism growth

Southeast Asia’s second most visited country delays $30 departure tax to sustain tourism growth

Southeast Asia is worth knowing before you plan the route. Thai diner faces $29,770 lawsuit after calling $7.74 plate of basil rice expensive As Chinese tourists stay away. Japan records first January-September drop in foreign visitors since 2021 Thailand has postponed plans to impose a 1,000-baht (US$30) departure tax on all air travelers to sustain the tourism sector’s growth momentum amid economic uncertainty. Rising energy costs.

Thai diner faces $29,770 lawsuit after calling $7.74 plate of basil rice expensive As Chinese tourists stay away. 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

Deputy Prime Minister Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Thursday that the government would assess the economic outlook. The impact of higher energy prices before deciding whether to proceed with the measure. Khaosod English newspaper reported. The government is seeking to sustain the country’s tourism recovery, particularly as rising fuel costs could put additional pressure on airlines.

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 29,770, 1,000, 4.12%. These numbers show how Southeast Asia is unfolding in practice.

Useful reference points: 29,770, 1,000, 4.12%. Keep these in mind while you plan around southeast asia.

What to Expect on the Ground

The wider tourism industry, Ekniti said. For example, tourists pose for photos at Wat Arun Temple in Bangkok, Thailand. For instance, photo by Reuters The decision comes amid a positive international response to Thailand’s recent hosting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). World Bank annual meetings, Nation Thailand reported.

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 third richest country allocates $229M to boost tourism growth for next year and Emirates flight from Delhi to Dubai delayed for over 15 hours over bird strike.

Planning Notes

The government expects tourism activity to remain strong in the fourth quarter of 2026. Wants to preserve the sector’s positive momentum. Introducing an additional departure tax at this stage could increase costs for both the public. Airlines, while also placing an extra financial burden on foreign tourists, Ekniti said.

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

Earlier this month, the Revenue Department invited public feedback on a draft bill proposing a 1,000-baht departure tax per trip for travelers of all nationalities flying out of Thailand. The proposed levy aims to optimize the use of existing government resources, uphold fiscal discipline. Provide greater flexibility in responding to emergencies. However, the proposal has quickly drawn opposition from tourism industry insiders.

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 third richest country allocates $229M to boost tourism growth for next year and Vietnam tours. 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/southeast-asia-s-second-most-visited-country-delays-30-departure-tax-to-sustain-tourism-growth-5136178.html

What travellers should know

As Chinese tourists stay away, Japan records first January-September drop in foreign visitors since 2021

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Thursday that the government would assess the economic outlook and the impact of higher energy prices before deciding whether to proceed with the measure, Khaosod English newspaper reported. The government is seeking to sustain the country’s tourism recovery, particularly as rising fuel costs could put additional pressure on airlines and the wider tourism industry, Ekniti said. Tourists pose for photos at Wat Arun Temple in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Reuters The decision comes amid a positive international response to Thailand’s recent hosting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meetings, Nation Thailand reported. The government expects tourism activity to remain strong in the fourth quarter of 2026 and wants to preserve the sector’s positive momentum. Introducing an additional departure tax at this stage could increase costs for both the public and airlines, while also placing an extra financial burden on foreign tourists, Ekniti said. Earlier this month, the Revenue Department invited public feedback on a draft bill proposing a 1,000-baht departure tax per trip for travelers of all nationalities flying out of Thailand. The proposed levy aims to optimize the use of existing government resources, uphold fiscal discipline and provide greater flexibility in responding to emergencies. However, the proposal has quickly drawn opposition from tourism industry insiders. 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 still far from this year’s target of 33 million tourists. Subsidiary of VnExpress License number: 71/GP-CBC, Ministry of Information and