Malaysia Joins Turkey, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Maldives and Qatar in 2026 for Thailand Travellers to Explore Being Tight on Budget Without Breaking the Bank and Visa Hacks and Currency Exchange Rates and New Ways to Book Hotels for Dirt Cheap Rate: A Complete Guide

Published on December 31, 2025

In 2026 travel will continue to rebound, and citizens of Thailand and Vietnam have a number of destinations where they can visit without organising a visa in advance. Visa policies are subject to change, so travellers should always check the latest government advice and ensure their passport has at least six months’ validity.
For currency conversions this article uses mid‑market rates from Xe’s currency converter – Xe notes that the converter uses the mid‑market rate for informational purposes and travellers will not receive the same rate when sending money[1]. In late 2025 one US dollar (USD) was roughly 35 Thai baht (THB) and 24,000 Vietnamese dong (VND); these rates have been used here as estimates. Where possible the visa information below comes from official government publications or consular notices.

Visa‑free Muslim destinations

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a Muslim‑majority country that straddles Central Asia and eastern Europe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan lists visa regimes for each country; in the table published on its consular service portal the row for Vietnam shows “visa free” for diplomatic, service and ordinary passports and notes that visitors may stay up to 30 days[2]. The same table lists Thailand as visa free with a 30‑day stay limit[3]. A separate bulletin explaining the order of entry to Kazakhstan reiterates that Thailand, Turkey, the UAE and Vietnam have bilateral agreements allowing their citizens to enter Kazakhstan without a visa for 30 days per entry[4].

Budget travel tips
Flights: From Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City to Almaty or Astana, low‑cost carriers and flag‑carriers (Air Astana, VietJet or AirAsia) typically offer return fares from about USD 300 (≈ 10,500 THB or 7.3 million VND) when booked several months ahead. Shoulder‑season (April – May or September – October) usually yields the lowest prices.
Accommodation & food: Kazakhstan’s cities have hostels and guest houses starting around 4,000 Kazakh tenge (KZT) per night (≈ USD 9; 315 THB; 216,000 VND). Mid‑range hotels cost around USD 30–40. Meals in local cafés range from 2,000 – 3,000 KZT (USD 4–7), and travellers can save money by using supermarkets or cooking in hostel kitchens.
Transport: City buses and the metro in Almaty cost about 100–150 KZT per ride (USD 0.20–0.32). Longer inter‑city routes using shared taxis or trains are affordable (e.g., Almaty to Astana overnight sleeper from USD 30).
Attractions: Many museums and parks charge a nominal fee (under USD 5). Visiting in spring or autumn avoids extreme temperatures.

Maldives

The Maldives is a 100 percent Muslim island nation in the Indian Ocean. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that a tourist visa is granted to all nationalities on arrival; visitors do not need pre‑approval but must have a passport valid for at least one month, a confirmed return ticket and proof of accommodation[5]. The ministry’s guidelines note that proof of sufficient funds or hotel bookings must be shown[6]. This policy applies equally to Thai and Vietnamese citizens, giving them a 30‑day visa‑on‑arrival free of charge.

Budget travel tips
Flights: Return flights from Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City to Malé on budget carriers or AirAsia can be found from USD 250–350 (≈ 8,750–12,250 THB or 6–8.4 million VND) during low season (May–June or September – November).
Accommodation: While resort islands are expensive, local “guesthouse islands” offer affordable lodging. Rooms on inhabited islands such as Maafushi or Thulusdhoo start around USD 30–50 per night (≈ 1,050–1,750 THB; 720,000–1.2 million VND) for two people, often including breakfast.
Meals: Local cafés serve Maldivian curry, rice and hedhikaa (short eats) for USD 3–7 per meal. Tap water is not drinkable, so budgeting for bottled water is essential.
Transport: Public ferries connect the airport with Malé and local islands; fares start at USD 2–5. Island‑hopping using speedboats or regional flights costs more (USD 20–100), so travellers should plan itineraries to minimise transfers.
Activities: Snorkelling equipment can be rented for a few dollars, and many islands have free beaches. Respect local customs by dressing modestly away from designated bikini beaches.

Malaysia and Indonesia

Within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), member countries grant each other short‑stay visa exemptions. The Royal Thai Government’s Consular Affairs Department summarised visa exemptions in a 2025 bulletin: for Malaysia and Indonesia it lists a 30‑day visa‑free stay for Thai ordinary passport holders[7]. Similar reciprocal agreements apply to Vietnamese citizens under ASEAN arrangements (both countries are ASEAN members), allowing them to enter Malaysia and Indonesia visa‑free for one month.

Budget travel tips
Flights: Low‑cost carriers such as AirAsia and VietJet connect Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Jakarta and Bali. Return flights often cost USD 100–150 (≈ 3,500–5,250 THB; 2.4–3.6 million VND) outside peak holidays.
Accommodation: In Malaysia, hostel beds in Kuala Lumpur start around MYR 30 (≈ USD 6.5) per night, while budget hotels cost MYR 80–120. Indonesia’s guesthouses (losmen) and homestays range from IDR 120,000–250,000 (USD 8–16) per night in Yogyakarta or Bali.
Food: Street food is inexpensive; a bowl of laksa or nasi lemak in Malaysia costs MYR 5–10 (USD 1–2), while Indonesian warung meals (nasi campur, mie goreng) are IDR 15,000–30,000 (USD 1–2).
Transport: Both countries have affordable public transport. Kuala Lumpur’s LRT and monorail fares start around MYR 1–2 (USD 0.20–0.40). Indonesia’s buses and trains are cheap; rides across Java cost only a few dollars.
Attractions: Many mosques (e.g., Masjid Negara or Istiqlal) and museums have small entry fees. Travellers should dress respectfully when visiting religious sites.

Brunei Darussalam

Brunei is a small, oil‑rich Muslim sultanate on Borneo. The Thai Consular Affairs bulletin lists Brunei as giving Thai ordinary passport holders 14 days visa‑free[8]. Under ASEAN’s reciprocal visa‑exemption agreement, Vietnamese citizens receive a similar 14‑day visa‑free entry.

Budget travel tips
Flights: There are direct flights from Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City to Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) on Royal Brunei Airlines and AirAsia. Fares start around USD 200 return (≈ 7,000 THB; 4.8 million VND).
Accommodation: Budget hotels in BSB cost BND 40–60 per night (USD 30–44). Brunei uses the Brunei dollar (1 BND ≈ 1 SGD ≈ USD 0.74).
Food: Eating at local night markets is affordable – satay skewers, nasi katok and grilled fish cost BND 2–5 (USD 1.50–3.70).
Transport & activities: A water taxi across the Brunei River costs about BND 1. Mosque visits (Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien or Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah) are free outside prayer times. Alcohol is banned; travellers should respect local laws.

Selected European destinations

Turkey (Türkiye)

Türkiye is a transcontinental country with a Muslim majority and a rich European heritage. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes a visa guide for foreigners. It states that Thai ordinary passport holders are exempted from visa for travels up to 30 days and that official passport holders may stay up to 90 days[9]. The same document indicates that Vietnamese ordinary passport holders require a visa to enter Türkiye, though those with a valid Schengen or OECD visa can obtain a one‑month single‑entry e‑visa[10]. This makes Turkey an easy European destination for Thai citizens but not visa‑free for Vietnamese travellers.

Budget travel tips
Flights: Return flights from Bangkok to Istanbul or Ankara cost about USD 400–500 (≈ 14,000–17,500 THB). VietJet’s new routes from Ho Chi Minh City may offer similar fares.
Accommodation: Istanbul has a wide range of lodgings. Dormitory beds in Sultanahmet or Taksim begin at EUR 10–15 per night (USD 11–17; 385–525 THB; 264,000–408,000 VND), while private rooms start around EUR 25–40.
Food: Street food such as simit, kebabs and börek costs TRY 10–30 (USD 0.30–1.00). A budget of EUR 15–20 per day covers three meals if you eat at lokantas (local canteens).
Transport: The Istanbulkart gives access to trams, ferries and metros for TRY 15 per ride. Inter‑city buses and overnight trains connect major cities for USD 15–40.
Attractions: Many mosques (Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye) are free. Museum passes are available, but visiting a few paid sites (Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace) costs around EUR 40 in total.
Visa note for Vietnamese citizens: Although Turkey is not visa‑free for Vietnamese travellers, obtaining an e‑visa is straightforward if you hold a valid Schengen or OECD visa[10]. The fee is around USD 40–60.

Serbia

Serbia is a southeastern European country with a Christian majority but close historical ties to both Europe and the Islamic world (Ottoman heritage). The Royal Thai Government’s visa‑exemption list recognises Serbia as granting Thai ordinary passport holders 90 days visa‑free[8]. Although Serbia’s official site is difficult to access, the Serbian government announced in 2014 that holders of ordinary Thai passports could enter Serbia without a visa. Vietnamese citizens, however, still require a visa for Serbia; they must apply in advance.

Budget travel tips
Flights: From Bangkok to Belgrade via the Middle East or Istanbul, expect fares around USD 450–600 (≈ 15,750–21,000 THB). From Ho Chi Minh City similar prices apply.
Accommodation: Hostels in Belgrade offer beds from EUR 10–15 per night, while private rooms cost EUR 25–35. 3‑star hotels are around EUR 50–60.
Food: Serbian street food such as pljeskavica (meat patties) and burek is inexpensive; meals in bakeries or cafés are EUR 2–5. Dining at a mid‑range restaurant costs EUR 10–15 per person.
Transport: City buses and trams cost about RSD 90 (USD 0.85) per ride. Long‑distance buses across Serbia cost EUR 10–20.
Activities: Many museums and historical sites charge EUR 2–5. Belgrade’s Kalemegdan fortress and the bohemian Skadarlija district are free to explore.

Summary table (visa‑free and budget overview)

*Budgets are estimates for 2026 based on mid‑market exchange rates from Xe[1] and may vary by season and travel style.

Final tips for budget travellers

1. Book early and travel off‑peak: Airfares and hotel rates are cheapest when booked several months in advance and during shoulder seasons (spring or autumn). Avoid major holidays in both your home country and your destination.
2. Use low‑cost carriers: Airlines such as AirAsia, VietJet and Scoot offer regular promotions. Be flexible with travel dates and fly mid‑week for lower fares.
3. Stay in local guesthouses or hostels: These accommodations provide cultural immersion and significant savings over resorts. Many include breakfast and allow self‑catering.
4. Eat where locals eat: Night markets, warungs and lokantas provide authentic meals at a fraction of tourist‑restaurant prices.
5. Use public transport: Buses, trains and ferries are inexpensive and safe. Purchasing rechargeable travel cards (e.g., Istanbulkart) reduces per‑ride costs.
6. Respect local customs: Muslim countries often have conservative dress codes. Alcohol may be restricted or expensive. Understand local etiquette, particularly during Ramadan.
7. Monitor exchange rates: Use tools like Xe’s converter to watch currency fluctuations[1] and withdraw larger amounts at once to avoid multiple ATM fees. Having some US dollars or euros as a backup can be useful.
8. Carry travel insurance and proof of funds: Officials may ask for insurance or proof of sufficient funds upon arrival, especially in countries offering visa‑on‑arrival. Ensure you have printed hotel confirmations and return tickets.

By combining official visa information with sensible budgeting, Thai and Vietnamese citizens can explore diverse Muslim and European destinations in 2026 without the hassle of applying for a visa in advance. Careful planning, respect for local cultures and smart spending will make these journeys memorable and affordable.