In a world where racking up passport stamps is often the measure of travel prowess, a recent feature from VegOut Magazine upends the conversation with a provocative claim: if you’ve truly experienced even one of a select list of 10 transformative cities—including Bangkok, Thailand—you’re more travelled than 95% of people (VegOut Magazine). Departing from the traditional “bucket list” approach, the article recognizes those who immerse themselves in cities that demand curiosity, humility, and a readiness for the unfamiliar—cities “where history still shapes street life and modern ambitions elbow their way in”.
Today, as travel restrictions ease and global mobility resumes, the way Thais and the world perceive “real travel” is rapidly evolving. With Thailand’s own capital, Bangkok, making the top 10 list, this new take is deeply significant for local travelers and the nation’s tourism sector.
The ten cities highlighted—spanning Istanbul, Hanoi, Lisbon, Cape Town, Mexico City, Seoul, Prague, Buenos Aires, Montréal, and Bangkok—represent crossroads of culture, history, and innovation. These cities aren’t chosen for their obscurity but for their power to “rewire how you interpret difference” and challenge visitors to step beyond superficial sight-seeing. Each provides opportunities to navigate paradoxes, whether they be geographic (Istanbul’s continents), cultural (Montréal’s language duality), or historical (Cape Town’s legacy of injustice and reinvention).
Bangkok’s inclusion is a point of pride and reflection for Thais. The city’s unrelenting energy—the symphony of street food aromas, the labyrinthine alleys lined with wooden houses in Thonburi, and the clangor of tuk-tuks beneath gilded temples—embodies the concept of what VegOut describes as “transformative travel.” Long-term visitors who dare to move beyond the surface discover a city where old and new, tranquility and chaos, tradition and innovation, co-exist and blend into a dynamic whole.
Why does this recognition matter? For Thailand’s growing class of urban, internationally-minded youth as well as for the older generation, travel increasingly represents more than leisure. It is about cross-cultural learning, challenging perspectives, and fostering open-mindedness—all skills valued in a globalized workforce, as noted in research by the World Economic Forum (weforum.org). As one cultural studies academic at a leading Thai university observes, “Experiencing cities like those on this list is not about collecting images, but about letting places shape how we think, work, and live. For Thais, Bangkok’s inclusion is not just civic pride, but a reminder of the city’s own dynamism.”
Travel experts interviewed widely agree that the most profound journeys change the traveler. According to the VegOut feature, “True travel chops aren’t earned by counting passport stamps; they’re earned by letting places leave fingerprints on your worldview.” A senior official at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) echoes this, stating, “We want visitors—domestic and international—to dive deeper, to see not just our temples and street food, but the living pulse underneath. Sustainable, mindful tourism is the future.”
This trend is evident across Asia, where younger travelers are increasingly interested in immersive, “local experience” tourism. For example, data from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) shows rising demand for community-based stays and cultural immersion activities, not just in Thailand but also in Vietnam, South Korea, and other destinations on the VegOut list (PATA report PDF). In Hanoi, visitors learn to appreciate the city’s dualities—motorbike chaos and lakeside serenity—through communal eating and centuries-old crafts, just as Bangkonians encourage guests to participate in neighborhood rituals and burgeoning creative scenes.
Yet, there are challenges to this style of travel. Not everyone has the time, resources, or personal safety to spend days or weeks truly engaging with these “transformative” urban spaces. There is also the risk of cultural commodification if mass tourism overwhelms local traditions. For instance, locals in Lisbon and Prague have raised concerns about gentrification and rising living costs linked to surging international interest (The Guardian), while stakeholders in Bangkok continue to wrestle with balancing heritage preservation and city growth (Bangkok Post). Experts stress that sustainable tourism must elevate local communities and protect authenticity.
Thailand’s rich cultural heritage is an asset, but as a Bangkok-based cultural curator points out, it’s the city’s “ability to absorb and remix new influences while fiercely protecting its soul” that sets it apart. This dynamic is mirrored in other cities on the list, such as Seoul, where centuries-old palaces flank hyper-modern shopping districts, and in Buenos Aires, where European and Latin American currents shape the arts, literature, and daily life.
For Thai travelers seeking to expand their worldview, experts suggest venturing beyond familiar destinations. As a well-known Thai travel writer remarks, “Don’t just photograph Wat Arun; cross the river, join a local food crawl in Thonburi, or take part in a neighborhood clean-up. It’s these experiences that linger and change us most deeply.” Similarly, those visiting the other transformative cities should embrace opportunities for meaningful engagement—be it through volunteering, community art projects, or simply sharing conversations over local food.
Historical ties link some of these cities in unexpected ways. Bangkok, Istanbul, and Hanoi have long histories as political capitals and trading centers at the frontiers of empire. Each has played a role in the global mosaic, welcoming waves of immigrants, refugees, and innovators, all of whom have left their mark. Thailand in particular, through its unique blend of Buddhism, monarchy, and dynamic urbanism, has shaped and been shaped by regional and global cultural currents.
Looking ahead, the growing “transformative travel” movement aligns with larger shifts: the rise of digital nomadism, the popularity of slow travel, and a renewed focus on ethical tourism post-pandemic. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, travelers are increasingly prioritizing trips that foster genuine connection, personal growth, and community benefit (UNWTO global report). Governments and tourism authorities in Thailand and elsewhere are responding with policies to diversify tourism offerings, encourage longer stays, and support local creative industries.
For readers inspired by VegOut’s list, the message is clear: the world’s most rewarding travel experiences demand openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be changed. Whether you are Thai or a visitor to these influential cities, seek depth over breadth. Consider taking language lessons before your trip, joining educational tours led by local experts, or visiting during festivals when traditions are most vibrant. Be patient with the unexpected, respectful of customs, and proactive in supporting small businesses and artisans.
Ultimately, the real value of travel, as this report underscores, is not in how many places you visit, but in how deeply you experience them. As VegOut eloquently puts it, spending meaningful time in any of these cities makes one “fluent in nuance: comfortable with paradox, curious rather than certain, and hungry for the next conversation the world wants to have with you.” This is the kind of worldliness that Thailand’s next generation—and society at large—should strive to cultivate.
For more information, read the original feature at VegOut Magazine.