It’s been a long time coming, at least since the world formally reopened for tourism three years ago, but Southeast Asia is finally re-emerging as a leading global destination, with the potential to rival the Americas and even Europe, the world’s tourism playground.
As reported by Aviation A2Z, the region as a whole is experiencing record growth going into 2025, with a ‘surge’ in overall capacity for some airports and a number of them, which serve some iconic destinations, hitting significant milestones.
Among them, 5 stand out as the fastest-growing Asian hubs right now, starting with a lesser-known island in Vietnam that Americans can enter visa-free:
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Phu Quoc is the fifth fastest-growing destination in Southeast Asia (SEA), as well as the sixth most-transited airport––sounds confusing, we know, but that’s because two airports serving the same city have featured in the top 5.
This doesn’t change the fact that this much-under-appreciated Vietnamese destination, famous for its palm-strewn coast and white-sand beaches, claimed by affordable luxury resorts, is stealing the hearts of foreign visitors.
From its jungle-traversed hinterland, crisscrossed with nature trails, to Doung Dong, a large town hosting a lively night market, to the Disney-style VinWonders, an amusement park featuring princess castles and thrilling theme rides, the island is guaranteed fun for all travelers.
In January 2025, Phu Quoc Airport tallied a 185.2% growth rate, equaling over 108,000 seats added––its popularity is boosted by the local visa-friendly policies, as it is the only destination in Vietnam U.S. passport holders (and most Westerners) can enter visa-free for up to 30 days.
Phuket, Thailand
Southeast Asia’s trendiest holiday island, Phuket is a lush tropical getaway offering endless miles of unspoiled sands, temple-dotted nature preserves, monkey sanctuaries, you name it: it ticks all the boxes for what makes a trip to Thailand great.
Phuket City is particularly popular among tourists, where narrow streets are bordered by colorful, European-style, 19th-century merchant shops, and perched atop a prominent hill, the marble-made Big Buddha statue keeps a watchful eye on the green expanse that is Phuket.
The island is, first and foremost, a beach destination, and there are countless swimming and sunbathing sites to pick from, whether it’s Patong Beach for the youthful atmosphere and beach bars, Kata Beach for the surfing, or the offbeat Banana Beach for the smaller crowds.
In terms of airline seats, Phuket International Airport comes in at number five in Southeast Asia, with 194,196 of them added, whereas the growth spur peaks at 31% for now, while Phuket itself is the fourth best-ranked destination.
Singapore, Singapore
Both a densely populated island metropolis and one of the world’s smallest nation-states, Singapore may not be impressive for its size, though it is certainly not lacking in the manmade wonder category, starting with the airport itself:
Considered the most incredible in the world, Changi Airport has an indoor ‘vortex’ waterfall and suspended gardens as some of its many gravity-defying attractions, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg in what’s a logic-bending, vibrant city that feels like it’s decades ahead of its continental peers.
Think Marina Bay Sands, a hotel and icon of the Singaporean skyline featuring three towers supporting a ship-shaped structure, the futuristic Gardens by the Day, with vertical gardens that light up at night, and a vibrant Chinatown or Little India, packed full of food markets and temples.
Singapore’s percentage increase this year feels far less impressive than Phu Quoc’s, for example, yet this translates into exactly 335,702 seats added for airlines flying into and out of Changi Airport, placing it at number 3 on this list.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Sitting across from Singapore on the Southeast Asian mainland, Kuala Lumpur is the capital of a culturally rich, ethnically diverse Malaysia and a bustling city combining steel-and-glass buildings, topped with Islamic crescents, and 19th century, British-colonial landmarks.
The most striking feature of the Kuala Lumpur skyline is, without question, its Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest in the world, and where you can climb for a breathtaking panorama of the high-rise-dominated center––it’s no wonder it’s become a symbol of Malaysia as a whole.
Don’t miss the local Chinatown, boasting a selection of traditional Sino-Malay eateries that rivals neighboring Singapore’s, the buzzing Central Market, your go-to spot for sampling street food and buying handicrafts, or the 6.6-mile River of Life walk along the mosque-lined waterfront.
This year, Kuala Lumpur is officially the second fastest-growing destination in Southeast Asia, with a percentage rise of 10% and 368,302 seats, arguably helped by Malaysia’s friendliness towards tourists––Americans can even use eGates as if they’re Malaysian citizens when visiting!
Bangkok, Thailand
Remember we mentioned one city alone nabbed two of the fastest-growing airports? Bangkok is the undisputed top destination in Southeast Asia at the minute, thanks to its Don Mueang International Airport, featured at number 4, and Suvarnabhumi International, at number 1.
The capital of Thailand is a sprawling conurbation straddling a fast-flowing Chao Phraya River, with more Buddhist temples than one can humanly count, and possibly the most riotous nightlife anywhere in the subcontinent.
Love $1 beer and drag shows? Silom Soi 4 is the place to go; looking to get culturally inspired instead? Pay the Reclining Buddha a visit and observe the local rituals; unashamed foodie with love for all things Thai? ARTBOX is our night market of choice if you’re short on time.
When it comes to Bangkok’s duo of mega hubs, Suvarnabhumi International has posted a percentage increase of 16%, resulting in 407,081 seats, whereas Don Mueang has grown by over 39%, or 255,547 airline seats: in total, the Bangkok metropolitan area registers 662,628 seats.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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