Bangkok top outbound destination for Vietnamese taking holiday break

By Hoang Vu August 28, 2023 | 05:00 am PT

Fireworks explode over Wat Arun of the Temple of the Dawn during the New Year celebrations, in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 1, 2023. Photo by Reuters

Thailand's capital Bangkok has become the most booked outbound tourist destination among Vietnamese travelers for the National Day holiday late this week, according to Booking.com.

Seoul came second, followed by Taipei and Hong Kong, according to the Dutch-based agency that compiled the list based on check-in dates between Sept. 1 and 4.

The rest of the list was made up of Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Ubud, and Chiang Mai.

This year, the government chose to begin the holiday one day before the official day on Sept. 2 so that it would be spaced apart from the first day of the new school year on Sept. 5.

As the holiday will fall on the weekend, it will be a four-day holiday in total.

Thailand recorded 15.32 million foreign arrivals between January and July this year, Reuters reported.

The country currently offers visa exemptions for over 50 countries, including Vietnam, for stays of up to 30 days.

A trip to Thailand now costs VND5-7 million ($200-$300), making it affordable for many Vietnamese travelers.