Economy Vietnam Tourism Threat Looms: Could It Overtake Thailand?

[webfact]

Halong Bay. Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

Could Thailand’s tourism crown be slipping to Vietnam? Tourism chiefs are alarmed as Vietnam's inbound tourism rocketed nearly 50% in March compared to pre-pandemic levels, while Thailand grapples with lacklustre growth. Experts warn Vietnam could surpass Thailand as Southeast Asia's top destination in just a few short years.

 

President of the Chon Buri Tourism Federation, Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, suggests that Vietnam's appeal, with family-friendly resorts and cheaper living costs, is becoming irresistible.

 

Vietnam has set an ambitious goal of welcoming 23 million foreign visitors this year, challenging Thailand's recently revised down target of 36.5 million arrivals from an initial 38.5 million forecast.

 

Thailand saw a notable decline in tourist numbers in March, with 2.7 million arrivals, 20% down from 2019 levels. Meanwhile, Vietnam registered over 2 million visitors, marking a substantial 40% increase over the same period.

 

Mr Thanet highlights Vietnam’s competitive edge, citing newer, cost-effective attractions, and all-inclusive packages at half the price of Thailand’s offerings.

 

Additionally, Vietnam's strategy includes supporting international travel agents, like those from Russia, by subsidising air travel and reducing airport landing fees, prompting agents to prefer hosting tours in cities such as Nha Trang over typically popular Thai destinations like Phuket.

 

This logistical ease is bolstered by Vietnam's well-placed international airports, which significantly reduce transfer times for tourists.

 

Mr Thanet warns that without significant infrastructure upgrades and innovating new attractions, Thailand risks losing its tourist draw. He's calling on the Thai government to actively enhance tourism strategies and intensify safety measures to hit their target of 36.5 million arrivals.

 

Concerns echo from Sanga Ruangwattanakul, President of the Khao San Road Business Association, who notes Bangkok's dwindling visitor numbers amidst a shrinking Chinese market and a drift towards destinations like Vietnam.

 

Vietnam boasts a diverse array of natural attractions, vibrant nightlife, and entertainment options, challenging reputed Thai tourist spots like Khao San Road.

 

To counteract these trends, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) recently proposed a subsidy plan to the Tourism Authority and the government, aiming to bolster Chinese tourism arrivals.

 

They estimate the plan, requiring a 320 million baht government-backed investment, could generate 8.3 billion baht in revenue, subject to stringent conditions like flight quotas and partnership costs covered largely by the private sector.

 

The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking for Thailand to reform and adapt its tourism strategies as Vietnam's offerings lure away eager globetrotters.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-06

 

 

 

[UWEB]

Changing Immigration Rules like other people changing their Underpants and keeping the Thai Baht artificially strong is taking their toll.

[steven100]

13 minutes ago, webfact said:

Vietnam could surpass Thailand as Southeast Asia's top destination

 

we can surely hope .....  Vietnam is way better than Lieland Thailand in many aspects.   

[ChipButty]

Thai people don't care, Thailand is the center of the Universe, people will always come to Thailand, 

[BangkokReady]

It seems like Thailand is about to find out that if you act like your customers have no other choice, when they actually do, you're going to lose those customers.

[josephbloggs]

5 minutes ago, steven100 said:

 

we can surely hope .....  Vietnam is way better than Lieland Thailand in many aspects.   

Oh wow, good one - you said "lieland" instead of "Thailand"!! 

Vietnam isn't a patch on Thailand in many aspects.

[steven100]

4 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Oh wow, good one - you said "lieland" instead of "Thailand"!! 

Vietnam isn't a patch on Thailand in many aspects.

wrong ...  many absolutely disagree Blogs,    take those rose tinted glasses off. 

[ChipButty]

Thailand is pricing itself out of business, especially here in Phuket the cost of accommodation is stupid now, Around the area I live you can see the difference it's going quiet, Ive spoke to a few people recently and they all say the same thing, it's quiet, 

[JAG]

16 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Thai people don't care, Thailand is the center of the Universe, people will always come to Thailand, 

Until - they don't!

[EVENKEEL]

I must say that Hotels are getting pricey in Thailand. Once you add a child to your requirements, the price goes way up more than it should. Having 2 queen beds  in one room seems just way more than the Thais can handle.

 

Living in Thailand I'll continue paying but if I was flying in somewhere for a few weeks VN would spark interest. And they have great coffee.

[LivingNThailand]

12 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Around the area I live you can see the difference it's going quiet, Ive spoke to a few people recently and they all say the same thing, it's quiet, 

I think it's been quiet for quite awhile in Phuket, excluding Christmas/New Year and Chinese New Year.  One of my Thai neighbors is a partner in a restaurant, and he was wondering where all the foreign tourists had gone, especially the Chinese.  He's down 30-40%.  I wanted to be a smart alec and tell him he should read the international news and not Thai news, but I kept quiet.

[ozz1]

It's ok tat will save it saying there's squillions coming hopefully  they will realise that thailand isn't the centre of the universe it will get worse before it gets better while the baht stays high

[oxo1947]

Of course--with those numbers-- a lot of guys do come to Thailand for sex scene--- I was in Vietnam last year and it certainly is cheaper then Thailand for most things. I stayed at a hotel in Da Nang beach front about 3-4 star, 1,000 baht a night, decided to have a few beers after being dragged around the markets by the wife, went up to the top floor lounge took a seat overlooking beach had a few tigers new frosty glass each time good service beer 35 baht each (small ) bottle.  Talked with some younger guys who were doing Vietnam after Thailand-- said to them its not so easy to take a girl back to your hotel room here is it--- They told me there are a lot of ways around that rule--- The best being Airbnb which is sometimes less then half the price of Thailand and cheaper then most hotels in Vietnam and in great locations-- and of course if you want to take a guest back---- "Up 2 You"

[Yagoda]

Bangkok will always be Bangkok and there isnt much like it, anywhere.

[mikebell]

And these numbers are before Thailand's latest hoop was in place; TDAC. I love Vietnam's simplistic approach to incomers versus Thailand's convoluted mindset. 

As a practical example on a microcosmic level, I decided to do a number of trips to various Chinese cities in the next couple of years: until I discovered the visa rigmarole entry requirements! 

So it's back to Hoi An, Ha Long Bay & Hanoi for me and GF.

[josephbloggs]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

wrong ...  many absolutely disagree Blogs,    take those rose tinted glasses off. 

I'll take mine off when you take your turd tinted ones off - everything with you is a negative attack on Thailand and Thais.

I've been to Vietnam probably 25 times. Nothing against it, it's alright, but it's not a patch on Thailand. You forget what this place is like for first time visitors because you are old and jaded and just hate everything. My nephew and his girlfriend recently spent three weeks traveling in Thailand and two in Vietnam. They enjoyed Vietnam but said Thailand was better in every way: better scenery (although Vietnam does have nice scenery), better infrastructure, better food, more fun, more variety, nicer people.

Yes, Vietnam is cheaper but cheapest doesn't equal best.

Anyway, my personal opinion based on living here for 30 years, having visited Vietnam probably 25 times and having neither rose, nor turd tinted glasses, I just see things as they are.

[MarkBR]

Get rid of visas, only use TDAC, register & track people coming in using the TM30 , 2000 bht renewal each month.  Any crime committed ban them from Thailand for life

[Emdog]

Vietnamese culture is based on Confucian ideals of hard work, education, civic pride. 

Thailand isn't. Thailand had a long stretch of time when they were one of the few destinations in Asia. Vietnam had the war and recovery, same and worse for Cambodia, Laos is xenophobic Marxist, Burma... you know

Thailand squandered that enviable position thru sloth and greed and are now just finding out the cost

[ChipButty]

3 hours ago, LivingNThailand said:

I think it's been quiet for quite awhile in Phuket, excluding Christmas/New Year and Chinese New Year.  One of my Thai neighbors is a partner in a restaurant, and he was wondering where all the foreign tourists had gone, especially the Chinese.  He's down 30-40%.  I wanted to be a smart alec and tell him he should read the international news and not Thai news, but I kept quiet.

Sunday morning I went to check a friend of mine apartment, normally you cannot park inside, but Sunday it was half empty, also the section for bikes was the same, I think this is going to be a real low season, 

[ChaiyaTH]

It overtook Thailand already years ago, is not even debatable. Only gonna get worse for TH too. Even better as Vietnam has plenty of economy outside tourism on top. Imagine where they are in a decade.

[Mavideol]

5 hours ago, UWEB said:

Changing Immigration Rules like other people changing their Underpants and keeping the Thai Baht artificially strong is taking their toll.

it dropped below 33 to the usd that will hurt them

[factual monk]

My experience past 6 years of travel to Vietnam and 16 years to Thailand...

1. Ease of Visa- Vietnam gives max 3 month evisa and Thai authorities are constantly giving weekly flipflop statements on visa durations.

2. Cost factor- Vietnam hotels are much cheaper as compared to Thailand.

3. Taxi fares and Grab fares are cheaper in Vn.

4. Over hyped value of Thai Baht.

5. Vietnam will definitely surpass Thailand by 2032 onwards... infrastructure is improving, road connectivity, clubbing and booze is cheaper, no lady drink harassment. 

6. Food in Vietnam is not as good/yummy and cheap as in Thailand and as easily available 24 x 7 as in Thailand. 

8. Thailand will continue to attract hordes of sex tourists and still be having higher arrivals but definitely Vietnam is shaping up as a better option for family, solo traveller destination. 

[peter48]

Recent trip to Thailand noticed the service is variable. Some bars, businesses and restaurants are very welcoming and smiles and staff keen to help. Others are indifferent, little English, too young staff or not fully trained or older impatient ones. Its like being anywhere else sometimes. LOS is no longer as keen to embrace tourists or it tries too hard to extract maximum baht per person. Clearly welcoming and happy staff help the business do well & the Farangs will return to that place.  Also would like more baht to £ and hate those charges at ATM of 230 baht per transaction. 

[hotchilli]

Thailand has to offer something new.

 

[LivingNThailand]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

Sunday morning I went to check a friend of mine apartment, normally you cannot park inside, but Sunday it was half empty, also the section for bikes was the same, I think this is going to be a real low season, 

But who is driving all those cars, trucks and motorbikes.  Traffic is insanely bad.   Is it just Thai people driving around looking for something to do?   Nuts.  I agree, low low season this year, I just wish the traffic would be comparable.  

[LeoM]

Tax rules taking effect as myself included look for somewhere else to spend six months to avoid becoming tax resident in Thailand? Seems the Thai government is not addressing this cause.