foreign travel – Author Carlo Carrasco

Vietnam’s New International Airport To Handle Most International Flights By 2027

April 24, 2026April 21, 2026carlocarrasco

In Vietnam, it is anticipated that most international flights currently handled by the old Tan Son Nhat International Airport (serving Ho Chi Minh City) will be moved to the new Long Thanh International Airport by next year, according to a news report by VnExpress. The said move will be gradual and it will start this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam has proposed that international flights should move gradually from Ho Chi Minh City to Long Thanh International Airport in neighboring Dong Nai Province starting this year.

According to the state-owned joint-stock company that manages 22 airports across Vietnam, including 10 international, the transition will make the under-construction Long Thanh a global aviation hub.

In the initial phase — from the start of Long Thanh’s commercial operations later this year to around March 2027 — all long-haul international flights will be moved from Tan Son Nhat airport in HCMC.

During this period Long Thanh will handle 19% of all international passengers in the Ho Chi Minh City market while Tan Son Nhat will continue to handle the rest.

In the next phase, from March 2027 through 2030, all international flights will steadily be shifted to Long Thanh, except for short-haul routes under 1,000 km operated by Vietnamese airlines.

By 2027 Long Thanh is expected to handle more than 90% of international passenger traffic.

After 2030 all international flights will operate from Long Thanh, laying the foundation for a major international transit hub.

Tan Son Nhat will then focus on domestic routes and non-scheduled international services, including charter flights.

Tan Son Nhat, until now the largest airport in Vietnam, handled 109,652 international flights last year, or 43% of the country’s total number.

The ACV has established Long Thanh International Airport as a first-tier subsidiary along with other units for cargo and fuel services.

It is also implementing workforce training programs, including on-site experience at Tan Son Nhat, to develop operational expertise ahead of the new airport’s launch.

It has signed a consultancy agreement with South Korea’s Incheon Airport Consortium, to support trial operations, the transition and traffic forecasting.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the move of international flights from the old international airport to the new one will proceed as scheduled? If you have been to Vietnam lately, how would you describe the quality of Tan Son Nhat International Airport?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Security In Bali Tightened In Response To Murders Of Several Foreigners

April 18, 2026April 15, 2026carlocarrasco

Bali, the island in Indonesia famous as a tourist attraction, now has its security tightened by the local authorities in response to the unfortunate wave of kidnapping and murders of several foreigners there, according to a news report by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Police on Indonesia’s Bali island have vowed to increase security after several foreigners were kidnapped and brutally murdered this year.

“We urge the public to promptly report any criminal or suspicious activity involving foreigners to the nearest authorities,” director of criminal investigation at the Bali police department, Senior Commisioner I Gede Adhi Mulyawarman was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post.

A wave of kidnappings and brutal murders have tarnished the island’s once-peaceful reputation.

On Feb. 15 Ukrainian Igor Komarov, 28, was kidnapped and later found dead in a suspected murder case, Jakarta Post reported.

A video circulating online showed Komarov being beaten and pleading with his family for help, and indicated that the attackers demanded a US$10 million ransom for his release. In late February his body was discovered by locals.

In March, Dutch tourist Rene Pouw was killed by two knife-wielding motorbike attackers, AFP reported.

According to United Nations data, Indonesia has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, with a murder rate of just 0.3 per 100,000 people in 2022.

Reports from Indonesia’s statistics agency indicate that Bali remains among the safest places in the country. Bali reported 7.05 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2025, the highest figure in the past decade.

According to the Australian government’s travel advisory website, Bali is generally safe for tourists, but caution is advised regarding motorcycle accidents, petty theft and alcohol-related issues.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever visited Bali in Indonesia before? Do you think the crime wave affecting foreigners will turn away international tourists from visiting Bali?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

As More Filipinos Visit Vietnam, Philippines Attracts Less Vietnamese Tourists

April 9, 2026April 6, 2026carlocarrasco

In 2025, more than 480,000 Filipinos visited Vietnam while the Philippines failed to attract a significant number of Vietnam tourists which reflected its weakness with foreign visitors, according to a new report by VnExpress.

The travel platform Agoda confirmed that online search by Filipino users for accommodation in Vietnam surged 86% in 2025. Vietnam itself achieved an all-time high of 21.2 million foreign tourists who arrived in 2025. The Philippines attracted only 5.94 foreign tourists last year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam is increasingly emerging as a preferred destination for Philippine travelers, welcoming over 482,000 arrivals in 2025, thanks to ASEAN visa exemption policies and closer bilateral exchanges.

According to the Tourism Information Center under the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), since the Covid pandemic, the number of Filipino visitors to Vietnam has recovered and grown impressively. Filipino tourists are particularly fond of destinations such as Da Nang, Sa Pa, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang, as well as Vietnam’s distinctive cuisine.

VNAT Director Nguyen Trung Khanh said Vietnam and the Philippines share many similarities in tourism resources, natural conditions and culture. Both are located in Southeast Asia and have favorable conditions for cooperation in developing tourism products and attracting visitors.

The expansion of direct flight routes between major cities by airlines of both countries has also significantly contributed to boosting tourist arrivals.

Conversely, the number of Vietnamese tourists traveling to the Philippines remains unstable and has even shown a declining trend recently. This is partly due to increasing competition among destinations in the region.

Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III noted that Philippine airlines are actively implementing various initiatives to attract tourists. The Philippines is also considering establishing a tourism representative office in Vietnam to strengthen its presence and promote cooperation.

Tourism cooperation between the two countries was established early on and continues to be reinforced. In 2026, the Philippines will host the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) under the rotational mechanism, with Vietnam’s tourism sector actively participating in the event.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you are a citizen of the Philippines, have you thought about touring Vietnam recently? Do you think the government of the Philippines has not done enough to promote itself actively to the Vietnamese?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Record High 6.76 Million Foreign Tourists Visited Vietnam In 1st Quarter Of 2026

April 8, 2026April 6, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam successfully attracted a record 6.76 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of 2026, according to a news article by VnExpress. If the pace continues until the end of the year, it will help Vietnam break its current record of 21.2 million foreign tourists attracted in 2025.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed 6.76 million international visitors in the first three months of the year 2026, up 12% year-on-year and the highest quarterly figure ever recorded.

With nearly 2.1 million international visitors in March, Vietnam has for the first time achieved a new record of receiving over 2 million visitors for three consecutive months in a year, according to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

This result underscores the appeal, resilience, and growing strength of Vietnam’’s tourism sector amid an uncertain global environment, it added.

Of the total 6.76 million international visitors, 82.3% arrived by air, 15.5% by land, and 2.2% by sea.

The administration said that the dominance of air travel highlights Vietnam’s strong appeal to mid- and long-haul markets that are particularly sensitive to geopolitical shifts and fuel costs.

In the context of the Middle East conflict causing soaring oil prices and disrupting some international flights, the high number of visitors arriving by air reflects connectivity and affirms international tourists’ confidence in a safe, stable, and accessible destination, the administration added.

Mainland China and South Korea continue to be the two largest source markets for tourists to Vietnam, accounting for approximately 40% of the total international visitors.

Southeast Asian markets recorded strong growth, including Malaysia (up 21.5%), Singapore (30%), Cambodia (41%), Indonesia (44%), the Philippines (69%), and Thailand (6.5%).

Vietnam has set a target of receiving 25 million international tourists this year.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you thought about visiting Vietnam for vacation this year? What is the one location in Vietnam that you find attractive right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Luxury Hotels In Thailand Slash Prices To Deal With Tourism Slowdown

March 31, 2026March 25, 2026carlocarrasco

As the armed conflict in the Middle East continues to cause economic disruptions, hiked oil prices and impact international air travel, luxury hotels in Thailand have been cutting down their prices as a way to deal with the slowdown on tourism, according to a news report of VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Luxury hotels across Thailand, the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, are rolling out deep discounts to attract domestic travelers as international arrivals weaken due to disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.

Thai residents and expatriates are being offered discounts of up to 70% at five-star hotels, where nightly rates can typically reach US$1,000, Bloomberg reported.

At Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, one of the capital’s most iconic riverside properties, rooms are now priced below $300 per night. In southern Thailand, a luxury resort overlooking the dramatic limestone cliffs of Railay Beach is offering stays from around $430 per night, roughly half its usual rate.

The steep promotions come as flight cancellations and airspace closures tied to the conflict in Iran disrupt key Europe-Asia travel routes, making journeys to Thailand more complex and costly.

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism fears a loss of 596,000 visitors and 40.9 billion baht ($1.29 billion) in revenues if the conflict drags on for more than eight weeks.

Phangnga Province has already seen a sharp decline in European arrivals and estimates losses at nearly 1.7 billion baht ($52.3 million), according to its hotel association, Bangkok Post reported.

Authorities are also preparing contingency measures to offset any decline in arrivals from long-haul markets including Europe and the U.S. Thailand experienced a tourism downturn last year amid a combination of kidnapping incidents, flooding and border conflict.

The country is aiming to attract 37 million foreign visitors this year, a projected increase of more than 11% from 2025 but that target is increasingly at risk.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Does the discounting of room rates by luxury hotels in Thailand entice you to visit them? How long do you think the slump of tourism will last?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thailand Tourism Authority Preparing Response To Middle East Conflict

March 24, 2026March 20, 2026carlocarrasco

With the joint Israel-US military operations against the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran still going on, the tourism authority of Thailand announced it is preparing measures to ease the effects of the conflict on its tourism sector, according to a news report of VnExpress. Already the conflict caused a series of economic disruptions affecting air travel and the prices of services and products offered to tourists.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing measures to mitigate the impact of tensions in the Middle East on the country’s tourism sector, including proposals to stimulate domestic travel and short-haul flights.

Following consultations with private operators, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the agency is promoting Thailand as a safe destination and plans to suggest the establishment of a strategic operations unit to monitor flight capacity, load factors, oil prices and travel costs.

TAT also plans to use the remaining central budget under the Thailand Summer Blast scheme, which supports inbound flights to Thailand, to back airlines and promote both major and secondary cities.

It is considering adjustments to an existing subsidy program for charter flights to cover long-haul markets, as well as incentives such as free domestic flights for international visitors and co-payment schemes to boost local tourism.

Thailand aims to capitalize on the situation by positioning itself as an aviation hub linking Europe with Asia and Australia, while adjusting flight schedules to attract more direct long-haul services. At the same time, efforts will be made to rebalance international tourism markets by focusing on China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Southeast Asia.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you intend to visit Thailand over the next six months? Does the war against Iran discourage you from traveling overseas?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Cases Of Foreign Tourists Getting Overcharged In Vietnam Increase

March 12, 2026March 5, 2026carlocarrasco

Having traveled to many destinations around the world, I am always mindful about how much money I carry, how much do products and services cost, and what exactly should I pay for. Vietnam, which attracted a record 21.2 million foreign tourists last year, has a disturbing trend of foreign tourists getting overcharged for services and products, according to a VnExpress news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Gouging tourists is giving Vietnam a bad name despite its sustained promotional efforts, insiders warn.

They want the authorities to hike fines manifold and deploy technology-based monitoring systems to prevent the insidious practice.

Chi Mai, 35, a Hanoi-based tour guide whose family has lived in the capital for three generations, says incidents of overcharging have become so common that they no longer surprise locals.

“Even residents buying 200 grams of pickled fruit in the Old Quarter without first checking the price can be charged double. It’s not surprising that foreign tourists are asked to pay four or five times.”

The repeated reports of such instances leave her disheartened, she says.

“If authorities fail to tackle this issue in a decisive manner, Vietnam’s international tourism promotion efforts will prove ineffective.”

On Feb. 24 an American tourist was charged VND1 million (US$38) for a seven-kilometer trip, 14 times the usual fare, by a motorbike-taxi driver in Hanoi. The driver admitted to the violation, apologized to the tourist and promised not to repeat the act.

Earlier cases also drew attention. In January Hanoi authorities fined a street vendor for charging two foreign tourists nearly four times the normal price of a conical hat.

In July 2025 a group of Filipino tourists were charged VND1.4 million ($53) for a taxi ride of less than 1 km, 50 times the normal fare.

Two months later an Australian family reportedly paid VND1.2 million for a cyclo trip, three times the regulated rate.

Overcharging and aggressive solicitation are not confined to Hanoi and have been reported across other tourist hubs such as Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of Hanoi-based tour operator AZA Travel, says overcharging tends to occur more frequently in destinations with large numbers of international visitors.

He recounts a personal experience in Da Nang where a taxi driver took a longer route from the airport while Dat was on a phone call. Only after he protested strongly did the driver adjust the fare.

“Even veteran tourism professionals such as tour guides and travel agency executives can fall victim to such practices, and international visitors are even more exposed,” Mai says, adding she has frequently intervened to help tourists resolve pricing disputes.

Tran Trung Hieu, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, acknowledges that gouging remains an issue, particularly in areas such as the Old Quarter and during major festivals.

Failure to publicly display prices and forcing customers to make purchases are fraudulent practices, he says.

The department has established a tourist hotline and increased security presence on pedestrian streets during weekends, he says.

“Price gouging, at worst, discourages visitors from returning.“

In Da Nang, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has formed a rapid response team to address complaints and conducts regular inspections of tourism service providers.

There are task forces to monitor commercial fraud, counterfeit goods and non-compliance with pricing regulations.

Authorities on Phu Quoc Island recently established a tourism rapid response team to protect visitors and address service-related concerns amid a tourism boom.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you were able to travel overseas over the past twelve months, were you excessively charged for a service or for a product you purchased? Does the trend of overcharging tourists in Vietnam discourage you from visiting the country? Do you think the authorities in Vietnam will be able to solve the problems?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Indonesia Attracts 15.39 Million Foreign Visitors In 2025

February 14, 2026February 10, 2026carlocarrasco

Indonesia, the 2^nd largest economy of Southeast Asia, successfully attracted 15.39 million foreign visitors in 2025 and it is already looking forward to attracting even more this year, according to a news report by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, welcomed 15.39 million foreign visitors in 2025, exceeding its target of 14-15 million arrivals.

“We have exceeded our target and performed better than our previous projections,” Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said at a meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara News Agency.

Government figures show that average spending per foreign visitor reached US$1,267 in 2025, surpassing the target of $1,220.

Malaysia remained the biggest contributor to Indonesia’s tourism revenue, while the United Arab Emirates posted the fastest growth in visitor numbers.

Arrivals from China rose sharply, reaching 1.34 million in 2025, the highest level in six years, according to Xinhua News Agency. The data indicates that travel from China to Indonesia has not only recovered but has also exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

By doing the math of the numbers revealed in the above news report, US$1,267 multiplied with 15.39 foreign tourists is equal to roughly US$19.5 billion in foreign tourism revenue. That is a huge economic boost for Indonesia.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Indonesia? If you have visited Indonesia, what did you enjoy the most while touring there?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Attracts 2.5 Million Foreign Tourists In January 2026

February 12, 2026February 7, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam, which is already one of the leading players of Southeast Asia on foreign tourism, is off to a powerful start as it successfully attracted 2.5 million foreign tourists in January 2026 alone, according to a news report by VnExpress. The relaxed visa policies and enhanced tourism campaigns were factors behind the early success.

For insight, Vietnam attracted 21.2 million foreign tourists in 2025. It is expected to attract more from Israel as its ties with the Jewish state are getting stronger. Also, a lot of Filipino travelers searched for accommodations in Vietnam online in 2025. These are only a few of many factors highlighting the tourism boom in Vietnam.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam received 2.5 million foreign visitors in January, its highest monthly number ever, thanks to relaxed visa policies and increased tourism campaigns.

It represents an increase of more than 21% from the previous month, data released Tuesday by the General Statistics Office shows.

The composition of Vietnam’s top source markets changed during the month. South Korea overtook mainland China to become the top market with nearly 490,000 visitors, and China was next with 460,000.

Cambodia emerged as the most notable mover with more than 223,000 arrivals to rise to third place overtaking Taiwan. The rest of top 10 comprised Taiwan, Japan, the U.S, Australia, Russia, India, and Malaysia.

Industry insiders attribute the jump to ground-breaking visa policies, strong innovation in tourism promotion and marketing, greater product diversification, and improved service quality.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Vietnam? With the strong start, do you think Vietnam will be able to attract more than 30 million foreign tourists this year? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when it comes to tourism in Vietnam?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japan Makes Moves To Handle Overtourism By 2030

February 8, 2026February 3, 2026carlocarrasco

With an all-time high of 42.7 million foreign tourists counted in 2025, Japan is clearly having a tremendous tourism boom that is also unprecedented. While the country took in over $60 billion from the said foreign tourists, immense tourism is causing a wide series of challenges for the Japanese residents and the authority, and this early the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) announced that the nation will make serious moves to tackle overtourism by the year 2030, according to a news article by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

The Japan Tourism Agency said Friday it plans to more than double the number of regions taking steps to address overtourism from the current 47 by 2030, in an effort to increase understanding among the public of the importance of inbound tourism to the nation’s economy.

A goal to boost the number of such regions to 100 will be included for the first time in the government’s next basic tourism promotion plan. A draft of the plan, which covers five years from fiscal 2026, was presented to a panel of experts and is scheduled to be approved by the Cabinet in March.

According to the draft, the government will maintain its existing targets to increase inbound visitor numbers to 60 million and their annual spending to 15 trillion yen ($97 billion) by 2030.

In 2025, foreign visitors to Japan reached an estimated record of 42.7 million, with their spending also at a new all-time high of 9.5 trillion yen, according to the government.

With a sharp decline in Chinese tourists due to deteriorating bilateral relations, the draft also stressed the importance of preparing for changes in the international situation, saying that efforts will be made to attract visitors from a wide range of countries and regions.

The agency has been implementing model projects to support regions taking steps to address overtourism issues, such as traffic congestion and nuisance behavior.

To date, 47 regions, including Kyoto in western Japan and Taketomi in Okinawa Prefecture, have been advancing initiatives based on resident feedback, including easing congestion on local roads and limiting visitor numbers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think that the ongoing tourism in Japan will last for at least the next three years? Would you be surprised to see foreign tourist arrivals in Japan reach 45 million by the end of this year? Are you dismayed to see foreign tourists misbehave or violate local rules during their stay in Japan? Do you think China’s hostility against Japan will bring down this year’s count of foreign tourists?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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