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

Southeast Asia’s second most visited country risks tourist’s ire with air departure tax, entry fees

Southeast Asia’s second most visited country risks tourist’s ire with air departure tax, entry fees

Southeast Asia is worth knowing before you plan the route. Meanwhile, coal billionaire Low Tuck Kwong loses a third of his fortune after selling Bayan Resources stake. , 11 foreigners arrested in crackdown on $179M of Bangkok luxury homes held in Thai names Unable to afford air tickets. , thai teenager takes grandfather on budget 2 000-km trip to Singapore Thailand tourism industry insiders warn that the proposed departure tax on top of existing travel fees could erode the country’s competitiveness in attracting visitors. , thienprasit Chaiyapatranun president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) said the association has submitted a protest to the Revenue Department’s director-general opposing the Departure Tax Act.

Coal billionaire Low Tuck Kwong loses a third of his fortune after selling Bayan Resources stake 11 foreigners arrested in crackdown on $179M of Bangkok luxury homes held in Thai names Unable to afford air tickets. 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

The department is holding a public consultation on the proposal from Sept. Therefore, it seeks to slap a 1 000-baht (US$30) fee on everyone including Thais leaving the country by air. For example, consequently, with a legal maximum of 5,000 baht per departure, Nation Thailand newspaper reported. For instance, , the THA warned that the additional charge could dampen demand for air travel affect businesses across the tourism supply chain.

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 $33.9 billion, 2,000, 1,000. These numbers show how Southeast Asia is unfolding in practice.

Useful reference points: $33.9 billion, 2,000, 1,000. Keep these in mind while you plan around southeast asia.

What to Expect on the Ground

Including hotels, airlines, tour operators, restaurants, and retailers. For example, , the association said foreign visitors could face total taxes charges of 2 570 baht ($76) per trip if all the measures under consideration are implemented. Meanwhile, the Thaiger reported. Therefore, they include a 1 120-baht international passenger service charge at Airports of Thailand airports since June 2026.

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: Unable to afford air tickets Thai teenager takes grandfather on budget 2. 000-km trip to Singapore and Southeast Asia’s second most visited country receives 23 million tourists in over 9 months.

Planning Notes

A proposed 450-baht foreign tourist fee on top of the proposed 1,000-baht departure tax. For example, meanwhile, for a family of four, the charges could total 10,280 baht. For instance, , additional hotel levies imposed by provincial administrations in some places could further increase the cost of a trip. , according to Nation Thailand .

Planning Notes — 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

Nearby Ideas

The THA warned that the financial burden could make Thailand less attractive than competing destinations across Southeast Asia. Tourists in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Reuters Opposition has also emerged from the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). Which submitted a petition to the Finance Ministry against the proposal.

Nearby Ideas — 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

For more on Vietnam travel see also: Southeast Asia’s second most visited country receives 23 million tourists in over 9 months and Hanoi after dark: Inside Southeast Asia’s second best city for nightlife. Official visitor information is available from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism .

For more on Vietnam travel, see also: Southeast Asia’s second most visited country receives 23 million tourists in over 9 months and Hanoi after dark: Inside Southeast Asia’s second best city for nightlife. 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-risks-tourist-s-ire-with-air-departure-tax-entry-fees-5131317.html

Additional notes

Coal billionaire Low Tuck Kwong loses a third of his fortune after selling Bayan Resources stake

11 foreigners arrested in crackdown on $179M of Bangkok luxury homes held in Thai names

Key developments and outlook:

Key developments and outlook:

Unable to afford air tickets, Thai teenager takes grandfather on budget 2,000-km trip to Singapore

Thailand tourism industry insiders warn that the proposed departure tax on top of existing travel fees could erode the country’s competitiveness in attracting visitors.

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA) said the association has submitted a protest to the Revenue Department’s director-general opposing the Departure Tax Act. For example, indeed, the department is holding a public consultation on the proposal from Sept. , 30 to Oct. For instance, , it seeks to slap a 1 000-baht (US$30) fee on everyone including Thais leaving the country by air. Therefore, with a legal maximum of 5 000 baht per departure Nation Thailand newspaper reported. Therefore, , the THA warned that the additional charge could dampen demand for air travel and affect businesses across the tourism supply chain. Consequently, including hotels airlines tour operators restaurants and retailers. , the association said foreign visitors could face total taxes and charges of 2 570 baht ($76) per trip if all the measures under consideration are implemented. However, the Thaiger reported. Thus, they include a 1 120-baht international passenger service charge at Airports of Thailand airports since June 2026 and a proposed 450-baht foreign tourist fee on top of the proposed 1. Consequently, 000-baht departure tax. , for a family of four, the charges could total 10,280 baht. , additional hotel levies imposed by provincial administrations in some places could further increase the cost of a trip. , according to Nation Thailand. Meanwhile, the THA warned that the financial burden could make Thailand less attractive than competing destinations across Southeast Asia. Thus, tourists in Bangkok, Thailand. Consequently, photo by Reuters Opposition has also emerged from the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). Thus, which submitted a petition to the Finance Ministry against the proposal. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas defended the proposal however arguing that the 1. , 000-baht levy would encourage Thais to take domestic holidays and keep more tourism spending within the country. , the debate highlights a potential policy conflict between encouraging domestic tourism and maintaining Thailand’s appeal to international visitors. Consequently, particularly as additional charges could increase the overall cost of travelling to and from the country. Therefore, thailand Southeast Asia’s second most visited country after Malaysia received 23.4 million foreign tourists between Jan. However, 1 and Oct. Thus, 3 a 3.88% decline year-on-year with heavy rains and flooding posing a threat to the upcoming peak season. Indeed, spending by foreign tourists during the period amounted to 1.14 trillion baht (US$33.9 billion) a 2.26% decline. Meanwhile, tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said in an Oct. , 5 update that flight cancellations by some airlines had some impact on tourism preventing some visitors from traveling to Thailand. Thus, bangkok was declared a disaster-affected zone late last month after nearly 300 mm (12 inches) of rain fell in three days — roughly the amount the city typically receives throughout September. Therefore, british newswire Reuters reported. Therefore, the flooding disrupted travel at Suvarnabhumi the city’s main airport causing flight delays and a large number of cancellations. Meanwhile, subsidiary of VnExpress License number: 71/GP-CBC, Ministry of Information and