As the peak travel season of the year inches in, western travellers seeking to escape soaring temps in their home countries are setting their sights on a number of destinations within Southeast Asia as that region enters the cooler months of the monsoon season.

Indochina, in particular, is seeing a significant increase in the number of foreign arrivals and the numbers have risen steadily since the start of the year.

Vietnam’s National Authority of Tourism reported a total of 2,031,519 individual tourists as of 30th April, the bulk of whom are from South Korea and Taiwan.

The country likewise noted the entry of nearly nine million foreign tourists from January to April 2026, reflecting a 14.6 percent year-on-year increase.

Meanwhile, its regional neighbours Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand are experiencing a similar surge, albeit on a more modest scale.

However, it needs to be stated at this point that not even a surging location like Indochina is immune to the impact of the geopolitical conflict affecting the global economy.

Challenges to consider

At this point in time, even countries experiencing an increased volume of international travellers entering their borders cannot count on the same numbers as we draw close to the end of Q2-2026.

For those in Indochina, it is possible that arrival numbers will be affected by the increased cost of the average flight ticket, a development driven by the increasing cost of jet fuel, as well as higher operational costs for airlines.

Indeed, with the push for travel closer to home to save on gas and fares, we could see a drop in travel demand for the region, particularly for Vietnam and Thailand as both these nations have enjoyed great popularity with Western and Central European markets.

Cost is also a key consideration for many travellers from the west, and these would shift their travel plans from distant lands to closer locations, opting for what are referred to as anti-tourism vacations.

The anti-tourism trend is driving travellers towards off-peak destinations where they know there will be less crowds; and this is something that nations in Indochina could play to their advantage.

Anti-tourism plays on the drive to promote lesser-known destinations, essentially reducing overtourism in primary hubs like Bangkok, Phuket, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City whilst boosting the global visibility of Chiang Rai, Nan, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc.

At the same time, the possibility of a unified regional visa under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s One Visa, Six Nations initiative could further divert travellers away from Indochina and into their neighbours in the Malayan Peninsula.

However, the massive campaigns developed by Thailand and Vietnam to promote their key destinations and drive for quality tourism globally could keep travellers in-region.

Could climate change be a game-changer?

From June to December, Indochina and the rest of Southeast Asia will see wetter weather thanks to the annual monsoon.

However, climate experts warn that 2026 will see a phenomenon referred to as a Super El Nino which will not only extend the dry season throughout the region, but also stands to increase the risk of massive flooding and the spread of haze, adding a level of unprecedented hazard to the travel season.

Higher ambient temperatures could also serve to drive tourists from national capitals to northern destinations as they seek cooler, more comfortable climes.

Inclement weather also stands to alter travel plans in the form of flight cancellations and issues involving travel infrastructure.