Vietnam Is Now The Fastest Growing Tourist Destination In Southeast Asia; Here’s Why You Should Visit

Thailand is no more in the spotlight as far as Southeast Asian tourism is concerned. It might be trending after season 3 of The White Lotus, but the fastest-growing tourist destination is now Vietnam. Globe Aware volunteers, find out why!


Vietnam Is Now The Fastest Growing Tourist Destination In Southeast Asia; Here’s Why You Should Visit

Vietnam is currently the third most visited country in the region – surpassing Singapore with a total of 17.5 million foreign visitors in 2024.

Akanksha Arora
Mar 26, 2025
Times Network

Thailand is no more in the spotlight as far as Southeast Asian tourism is concerned. It might be trending after season 3 of The White Lotus but the fastest growing tourist destination is now Vietnam.

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How to protect your valuables while travelling: Safety tips for tourists

Traveling should be stress-free and pleasurable, but personal safety is becoming a serious concern for many travelers, including Globe Aware volunteers. Here are some reliable suggestions for protecting your valuables while traveling.


How to protect your valuables while travelling: Safety tips for tourists

Travelling with a lot of cash, all your credit cards, electronics you won’t use, or expensive jewellery is not recommended.

Travelling should be stress-free and pleasurable, but protecting your valuables should always come first. Personal safety is becoming a serious concern for many travellers, and one requires careful planning and smart precautions while travelling. Here are some reliable suggestions for protecting your jewellery and other valuables while travelling. Invest in a High-Quality Theft-Proof Bag | Selecting the right baggage for your destination and activities is one of the first steps to protecting your possessions. Choosing a sturdy and safe rucksack or anti-theft backpack is essential to protecting your valuables. Look for features like integrated locks, stronger zippers, and long-lasting materials.

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Dr. Drew’s daily audio blog from our Thailand Hill Tribes location

Dr. Drew, a retired orthodontist and seasoned Globe Aware volunteer, has already made an impact in Cusco, Peru, and the Galápagos—now, he’s at our Hill Tribes location, just across the border from Myanmar. From there, he’s gearing up for our Philippines program! What makes his experience extraordinary? He’s providing much-needed dental care for local children, just as he did in Peru. (If you’re not in dental field, your work activity will differ.) But that’s not all—he’s sharing firsthand insights on accommodations, local cuisine, cultural immersion on day one, and even how he handled a credit card hiccup when his primary card wasn’t accepted. Oh, and did we mention the massive earthquake that shook Myanmar and Thailand the very next day? He felt it—tune in to hear what that was like!

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Saving Wildlife, Supporting Communities: Volunteering in Laos

In the lush landscapes of Laos, Globe Aware volunteers are making a difference—rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife while supporting local communities. In this episode, we explore how our program helps protect endangered animals, assists in conservation efforts, and empowers villages through education and sustainable initiatives. Hear inspiring stories from volunteers and experts on the ground, and learn how you can be part of this incredible mission to preserve both nature and culture in Laos. For more information on this program, go to https://www.globeaware.org/destinations/asia/laos

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25 Best Places to Visit in South America

What an impressive list! Globe Aware volunteers, we have plenty of program destinations included—check them out for your next volunteer vacation!


25 Best Places to Visit in South America

By Amanda Ogle
March 13, 2025
Travel + Leisure

As a full-time travel writer, work has taken me across South America, from mysterious Machu Picchu and strikingly beautiful Patagonia to sprawling vineyards beneath the Andes Mountains and bustling capital cities such as Lima, Santiago, and Buenos Aires. Whether you want to see wildlife in the lush Amazon, idle away on a remote beach, or explore metropolitan cities, South America has it all.

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The nine best places to visit in spring in Thailand

Spring in Thailand looks quite different from elsewhere. Globe Aware volunteers, if you’re planning a visit in spring, here are the top places to explore in Thailand in 2025.


The nine best places to visit in spring in Thailand

By Craig Sauers
Mar 18, 2025
Lonely Planet

Spring in Thailand looks nothing like it does elsewhere. While the northern hemisphere shakes off winter, the Thai summer is just heating up.

March launches the country’s steady, fiery climb to April, the hottest time of year, when temperatures soar past 36°C (97°F) and can feel even hotter. Then as the heat reaches its breaking point, the first rains arrive in May – a prelude to the wet, muggy months ahead.

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Electricity gradually returns to Cuba after substation failure left millions in the dark

The blackout, the fourth in six months amid a severe economic crisis, began Friday night and was linked to a substation failure in Havana’s suburbs. Globe Aware volunteers, find out more about what’s happening on the island.


Electricity gradually returns to Cuba after substation failure left

March 16, 2025
AP

HAVANA (AP) — Electricity service in Cuba was gradually restored Sunday, more than 36 hours after a substation failure left the entire island in the dark.

Union Electrica, the state agency responsible for the electric grid, reported that most of the capital, Havana, and eastern parts of the country had power. It expected service to return to western areas on Sunday, too.

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Here Is Why Vietnam Is Emerging As Southeast Asia’s Hottest Tourist Destination

The rise in foreign tourists is fueled by favorable visa policies, tourism promotion initiatives, and esteemed international travel awards. Globe Aware volunteers, here’s why you should keep Vietnam on your radar!


Here Is Why Vietnam Is Emerging As Southeast Asia’s Hottest Tourist Destination

The surge in foreign tourists has been driven by favourable visa regulations, tourism promotion programs and prestigious international tourism awards

NDTV Travel Desk
Mar 12, 2025

Tourist arrivals in Vietnam are set to break all previous records, with 3.96 million foreigners visiting the country in the first two months of 2025. According to the General Statistics Office, this marks a 30.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The surge in foreign tourists has been driven by favourable visa regulations, tourism promotion programs and prestigious international tourism awards. Mainland China remained the top source of visitors, with 955,000 arrivals in January and February, followed by South Korea (885,000) and Taiwan (218,000).

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Ten countries where you have to pay tourist tax

Numerous countries worldwide implement tourist taxes to support infrastructure, manage tourism impact, and fund environmental or cultural preservation efforts. Globe Aware volunteers, here’s where you can expect to pay a fee.


10 countries where you have to pay tourist tax

TRAVEL TRENDS
Mar 12, 2025

Many countries around the world impose tourist taxes to help manage the impact of tourism, maintain infrastructure, and fund environmental or cultural preservation projects. These fees vary depending on the destination and can take different forms, such as accommodation taxes, entry fees, or departure levies. While some are minor charges added to hotel bills, others are substantial fees aimed at promoting sustainable tourism.

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Three things you didn’t know about Indian food

India’s greatest export might just be its cuisine, but did you know there are many misconceptions about it? Globe Aware travelers, here are three common myths about Indian food!


3 things you didn’t know about Indian food

June 18, 2013
Travel Weekly

India’s biggest export has to be it’s cuisine, with overseas destinations such as Brick Lane in London pulling in the crowds thanks to the restaurants’ adherence to the country’s gastronomy.

Manjit Gill is an award-winning chef and author who promotes the Ayurvedic tradition that sees the five elements of fire, water, earth, air and ether applied to what we eat.

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