Culture – Asia Unmasked

Visit Vietnam national tourism data platform dashboard displaying real-time destination capacity monitoring and visitor flow analytics

News

Vietnam Launches Visit Vietnam: Southeast Asia’s First National Tourism Data Platform

Real-time data, AI-powered itineraries, and sustainability tracking—Vietnam’s new platform could reshape how the entire region manages tourism growth Visit Vietnam’s real-time data dashboard allows authorities to monitor destination capacity and manage visitor flows across the country Vietnam officially launched Visit Vietnam on 20 December 2025—a national tourism data platform designed to manage the country’s booming

January 17, 2026

Opinion

Zero-Dollar Tourism in Laos: Recognising the Challenge, Building Better Tourism

How Laos is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable tourism—and how tourists can support the journey White minivans and tour buses collect Chinese tourists from the railway station in Luang Prabang and escort them for their entire time in Laos, highlighting how the infrastructure of zero-dollar tourism operations. The trains from Kunming arrive

January 12, 2026

A view over Luang Prabang from Mount Phousi showing lush vegetation against a mountain backdrop with a golden stupa in the foreground

Destinations

Luang Prabang at a Crossroads: Why Heritage Preservation Matters Now More Than Ever

UNESCO World Heritage status alone cannot protect Luang Prabang from overtourism and Chinese tourism expansion. What the city actually needs—and what Laos is beginning to build—is strategic tourism management that prioritises local benefit and cultural preservation. Luang Prabang sits on the Mekong River surrounded by lush vegetation encased by a picturesque mountainous landscape which is

January 6, 2026

Morning mist clings to forested mountains in northern Laos, with a ethnic village setting in the foreground typical of Luang Namtha and Phongsali regions

Culture

Luang Namtha & Phongsali: Authentic Ethnic Minority Encounters Beyond the Tourist Trail

Beyond the well-worn tourist paths lies a landscape where genuine cultural encounters remain possible—if you know how to engage respectfully The forest canopy closes in around you as your guide stops to point out fresh elephant tracks in the mud. You’re trekking through territory where the Akha, Lisu, Hmong, and Khamu peoples have lived for

December 21, 2025

Misty morning light illuminates coffee plantations on the Bolaven Plateau, with lush green vegetation and volcanic mountains visible in the distant background as a motorbike travels along a road in the foreground

Conservation

The Bolaven Plateau: Where Coffee Cultivation Meets Conservation in Southern Laos

Discover how a remote corner of southern Laos became a global speciality coffee destination—and why conscious travellers should experience its conservation-driven tourism firsthand The morning mist settles across the Bolaven Plateau like a benediction. At 1,200 metres above sea level, the air carries the scent of rich volcanic soil and coffee blossom. This isn’t the

December 20, 2025

Image shows the Chao Anouvong Statue, located in Chao Anouvong Park on the riverfront road in Vientiane

Destinations

Vientiane: Southeast Asia’s Most Contemplative Capital Invites Slow Travellers

Where French colonial charm meets Buddhist spirituality in Laos’ overlooked gem When I first stepped foot in Vientiane, I wasn’t entirely sure I’d reached the right city. Wide, tree-lined boulevards stretched beneath a hazy sky. Crumbling French villas sat quietly behind weathered walls. The traffic moved at a pace that felt almost meditative by Southeast

December 18, 2025

Aerial view of Phu Quoc's pristine coastline with traditional fishing boats, forested green hills, and crystalline waters, representing Vietnam's commitment to preserving natural beauty whilst developing conscious tourism

Destinations

Vietnam’s Conscious Luxury Tourism: Genuine Achievement or Fragile Moment?

Phu Quoc ranks third globally. Five villages earn UNESCO recognition. Ten eco-hotels set new standards. But can Vietnam sustain this—or will success become its undoing? Phu Quoc ranked third globally in 2025 for service quality, scenery, beach beauty, and local hospitality—but rapid tourism growth creates both opportunity and risk Vietnam is doing something genuinely different

October 30, 2025

News

Thailand Launches “Good Travel” Mark as Nation Targets Top 100 Global Sustainability Ranking

Ambitious 2030 roadmap positions Thailand as sustainable tourism leader whilst new certification standard aims to reshape Southeast Asian travel industry The Thailand Good Travel mark combines traditional Thai symbolism with international sustainability standards Thailand has just declared war on greenwashing! The Department of Tourism unveiled its Thailand Green Tourism Plan 2030 this week, launching a

October 5, 2025

View from a mountain top showing Lake Toba at sunrise

Eco-tourism

Concerned About Over-Tourism in Bali. These Spectacular Indonesian Alternatives Will Change Your Mind – What the BBC Forgot to Tell You

Discover pristine islands, ancient cultures, and world-class diving beyond the crowds Bali welcomed a staggering 6.3 million international visitors in 2024—nearly double its local population of 4.2 million. The BBC’s recent investigation revealed the stark consequences: beaches littered with plastic waste, traffic gridlock, and tourists posting “expectations vs reality” disappointments on social media. The tragic

September 29, 2025

the sun sets behind a dramatic mountainous backdrop with two hot air balloons silhouetted against a golden sky

News

How New Green Financing Is Transforming Travel in Laos

Why this TUI-backed programme could reshape responsible tourism in Laos Laos has always held something special for me – genuine hospitality, preserved culture, and landscapes that take your breath away. It also provides amazing value. Having visited many times over the last two decades, I’ve watched this country maintain its authentic character while neighbours grappled

September 22, 2025

Tag: Culture