Thailand becomes less attractive to Vietnamese travelers

During the first five months of 2025, just over 300,000 Vietnamese tourists visited Thailand, a figure that signaled a clear drop compared to previous years.

Several Vietnamese airlines have scaled back flight frequencies on Thailand routes to mitigate financial risks stemming from lower demand and rising operational costs.

Vietnamese low-cost airline Vietjet has reduced daily flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok from four to three since the second quarter of 2025.

National flag airline Vietnam Airlines and Vietravel Airlines have followed suit, while Bamboo Airways, which operated one daily round-trip flight to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, has suspended the route from its online booking system.

An executive from a local airline said that trips from Vietnam to Thailand have become less vibrant.

Flight occupancy rates to Thailand have fallen to some 60 percent on some routes, piling pressure on fuel and staffing costs.

The competition is intense, and pricing pressures are eroding profit margins, the executive added.

Vietnamese carriers are now ramping up their services on domestic routes where summer travel demand is surging.

Destinations like Da Nang, Phu Quoc Island, and Nha Trang City are seeing strong growth.

“We are prioritizing domestic operations to maximize fleet efficiency and profitability,” said a representative of a Vietnamese airline.

Tour operators maintain cautious optimism

Vietravel’s deputy general director Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang shared that five-day, four-night tours are still running regularly, but only with one or two groups per day compared to four to six during peak seasons.

The drop was attributed to tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.

Meanwhile, Tu Quy Thanh, director of Lien Bang Travel Trading Company, reported stable summer demand for outbound tours to Thailand.

“Each month, the firm organizes tours for four to six Vietnamese tourist groups to Thailand, with about 30 people each,” he said.

“As long as there are no official travel warnings and flights are operational, we will still run tours,” he said.

He emphasized that safety updates are provided to customers and guides prior to departure.

Among independent travelers, confidence remains relatively high.

Nguyen Thi Hong Tham, a resident of Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, said she felt assured enough to visit Thailand in late June.

“It’s close, safe, and great for shopping,” she noted.

Travel firms are still promoting a wide variety of Thai tour packages for June through August, with prices ranging from VND5 million (US$191) to VND9 million ($344), depending on accommodations, meals, and included attractions.

Geopolitical uncertainty a key concern

Political instability, tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border, and diseases all weigh heavily on travel decisions.

A representative from Bamboo Airways said that the airline was reevaluating its Thai routes as part of a broader operational restructuring.

Other airlines cited fluctuating demand and geopolitical risks as core factors in frequency planning.

The tension at the Thailand-Cambodia border in May tightened access at some crossings.

“Bangkok used to be the first choice,” said a travel industry expert.

“Now, travelers are also eyeing alternatives like Singapore, Taiwan, or domestic options such as Da Nang and Nha Trang.”

Reassurance from Thai authorities

Despite these challenges, Thai tourism officials are keen to reassure visitors.

Supakan Yodchun, a representative of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Ho Chi Minh City, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the situation in key tourist areas remains stable.

The Thai government and all relevant units are prioritizing the safety and well-being of both residents and international visitors, she said.

Thailand welcomed nearly one million Vietnamese tourists in 2024, making Vietnam the country’s 11th-largest source market.

Popular activities for Vietnamese travelers include food exploration, historical site visits, nightlife, massage and spa treatments, and beach outings.