Traveling to Thailand becomes more expensive for Vietnamese tourists

Nguyen Thanh Ha of Hanoi who visits Thailand every other month, said prices shot up last year, pointing out that while in August 2023 a round-trip AirAsia ticket from the Vietnamese capital to Bangkok cost around VND2.5 million (US$99), it had risen by an average of 25% to VND3.1 million by August 2024.

Hotel prices, particularly in the four- and five-star segments rose by 30%, she added.

The exchange rate partly contributed to the increased. In 2024, the exchange rate reached VND780 per baht, up 10% from the previous year.

Nguyen Thanh Ha from Hanoi during a trip to Bnagkok, Thailand. Photo courtesy of Ha

On Facebook travel groups, many tourists have expressed frustration over the rising costs. With hotels costing VND700,000-900,000 per day, finding a decent room in Bangkok's bustling downtown area has become increasingly difficult for Vietnamese travelers.

Vo Duy Khang, head of sales at VietGoGo, a travel service provider based in Thailand, said in fact it is now hard to find a clean, well-located room near a train station for under VND1 million.

Solo travelers to Thailand have seen their total expenses rise to VND7-10 million from the previous VND5-6 million if they want to travel comfortably, he said.

While VietGoGo's group tour business remained strong, particularly during peak seasons such as Songkran and New Year, individual bookings dropped by 50% in 2024, he said.

He attributed the higher costs to the surge in Indian and Chinese tourist numbers and an influx of Russian visitors in Pattaya.

In July 2024 Thailand expanded its visa-free entry list from 57 to 93 countries, boosting international arrivals and straining local tourism resources.

"Many solo travelers look at the cost of flights and hotels and decide to cancel trips to Thailand," Khang said.

Package tours remain stable

While independent travelers are feeling the squeeze, package tour providers report steady demand despite a 15-25% rise in their prices last year.

Bui Thanh Tu, marketing director at travel agency Best Price, explained that airfares and tour service prices were locked in at the start of the year.

In contrast, individual travelers are more exposed to price fluctuations, which could be significantly higher, he said.

But he believed demand for Thailand tours remains strong because the country is still one of the most affordable international destinations for Vietnamese tourists.

Thailand's visa-free entry, easy travel procedures and familiarity make it a top choice for many first-time travelers abroad.

Vietnamese tourists pose for photos on a street in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Ngoc Thang

Luu Thi Thu, deputy director of Hoang Viet Travel, also reported strong demand at her company, which served 2,000 customers during the peak summer travel season.

Thai package tours remain a top choice for corporate groups due to their greater affordability than many newly emerging Chinese destinations.

In 2025 her company plans to continue investing heavily in Thailand tours in the first two quarters, she revealed.

But Thailand's dominance as a top destination is facing growing competition.

Pham Anh Vu, deputy general director of Du Lich Viet, said a five-day tour of Thailand from HCMC costs VND8-9 million while traveling to Phoenix Ancient Town or Zhangjiajie in China costs VND10-12 million.

Other Southeast Asian destinations such as Malaysia and Indonesia are also becoming more competitive, offering similar prices but with fresh new experiences.

In the past traveling to Thailand was 20-30% cheaper than to Phu Quoc, but now the price gap has narrowed to just around 5%.