Issue No. 4 | Thursday 16 April 2026 | asiaunmasked.com Your insider guide to Southeast Asia Vietnam’s national tourism masterplan places eco-tourism and community-based experiences at its core. Demand at the country’s largest travel fair this month confirmed that visitors are catching up. Your Week in Southeast Asia This week, Southeast Asia made several decisions
Your insider guide to Southeast Asian travel and developments Issue No. 2 · Thursday 2 April 2026 · asiaunmasked.com The region is recalibrating in real time — for travellers who know where to look, that creates opportunity. Editor’s Note A conflict thousands of miles away is affecting both the economics and the psychology of getting
This week: Borneo’s first eco-certified resort opens bookings, Thailand’s tourist fee edges closer, flying to Southeast Asia just got more expensive, and a record pangolin bust in Jakarta. Plus what’s on across the region through April.
Picture cycling through Bangkok’s historic streets without choking on exhaust fumes or fighting through gridlocked traffic. Bangkok’s ambitious bike-sharing expansion aims to put 6,000 sustainable transport options on the streets by end of 2025 – but with current adoption rates at just 22.5%, can eco-conscious travellers help drive the change Thailand’s capital desperately needs? When
Tired of visa runs? Vietnam might have what you’re waiting for… Vietnam proposes groundbreaking five-year visa exemptions for global talent, influencers, and skilled professionals. Could this transform Southeast Asia’s immigration landscape? Vietnam is making headlines with a proposal that could change how skilled professionals, influencers, and global talent experience Southeast Asia. The Ministry of Public
Planning a Thai getaway in 2025? Don’t let paperwork spoil your arrival. Thailand’s new digital entry system is coming – here’s what you need to know before you go. There’s nothing quite like that moment when you step off the plane in Thailand – the wave of tropical warmth, the subtle fragrance of jasmine in
How weak currencies and low costs of living create an extraordinary quality of life for Western retirees and long-term stayers in Southeast Asia’s most vibrant destinations Forget the well-worn retirement paths to the Mediterranean coasts or Latin American expat communities. After spending the better part of a decade exploring Southeast Asia, I’ve discovered that this
As regional rivals roll out attractive visa schemes, Vietnam plans to introduce long-term stay options to lure international visitors and investors Vietnam may soon join its Southeast Asian neighbours in offering a “golden visa” program as part of a strategic effort to boost tourism and foreign investment. The country’s Tourism Advisory Board has formally proposed
As Thailand embraces smart technology in its hotels, what does this robotic revolution mean for a country whose famous hospitality relies on its human touch? While wandering through Chiang Mai’s vibrant streets last month, I stumbled upon a rather interesting bit of news – Furama Hotel Chiang Mai has recently become Thailand’s first fully integrated
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand in 2025, there’s an important update you need to be aware of. From May 1, 2025, Thailand will officially replace its traditional TM6 arrival and departure form with a fully digital system known as the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). This shift to online immigration processing aims to
