As global oil markets tighten and provide routes by way of the Strait of Hormuz face disruption, international locations throughout South and Southeast Asia are rolling out emergency measures to handle fuel shortages and rising costs. For travellers, this implies navigating locations the place transport, power use, and even every day routines are being recalibrated. Visitors might discover quieter enterprise districts throughout weekdays, decreased staffing throughout hospitality areas and a rising emphasis on public transport over personal automobiles. Intercity travel, particularly to remote regions, could possibly be much less predictable because of fuel constraints. In some locations, air-conditioning use is being restricted, and energy-intensive providers could also be scaled again. Intermittent energy outages are additionally doable in a number of locations, making it important to plan forward. Here’s what to know earlier than you go.
South Korea
South Korea has launched a nationwide energy-saving campaign. A key measure is the stricter enforcement of an odd-even car restriction system for public-sector vehicles, based mostly on licence plate numbers. While personal automobiles usually are not but sure by the rule, authorities have urged voluntary compliance and will tighten restrictions if the crisis escalates. This rule doesn’t apply to compact vehicles/eco-friendly automobiles, automobiles utilized by individuals with disabilities (together with these carrying disabled passengers), and automobiles carrying pregnant girls or infants. Public establishments are additionally being requested to stagger working hours to cut back peak transport demand, whereas a broader set of tips encourages residents to depend on public transport, restrict electrical energy use and shift energy-intensive actions to off-peak intervals.
Philippines
In the Philippines, the authorities has declared a national energy emergency as hovering oil costs pressure a system closely depending on Middle Eastern imports. Fuel reserves stay restricted, spanning just some weeks throughout gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Government places of work have shifted to four-day workweeks, whereas distant work and carpooling are being inspired nationwide. Financial help is being distributed to move employees most affected by rising fuel prices, notably jeepney and tricycle drivers.
Vietnam
Authorities in Vietnam are pushing for behavioural modifications to curb fuel consumption. Remote work for non-essential sectors has been strongly inspired, alongside calls to restrict personal car use and undertake options akin to biking, carpooling and public transport. Additionally, as of 1 April 2026, Vietnam’s nationwide airline, Vietnam Airlines, will minimize 23 home flights per week because of extreme provide disruptions. Other Vietnamese airways are getting ready to implement fuel surcharges on worldwide routes from early April.
Thailand
In Thailand, authorities are balancing worth controls with provide issues. A short lived cap on diesel costs has been applied, alongside necessities for fuel corporations to extend reserves. However, this has triggered bouts of panic shopping for and longer queues at fuel stations. Energy-saving measures prolong into every day life: authorities places of work have raised air-conditioning temperature thresholds and officers have urged lighter gown codes to cut back the demand for AC. New oil import agreements have been signed to diversify provide, however worth will increase are nonetheless filtering by way of.
Laos
Fuel shortages in Laos have grow to be acute, with a major share of petrol stations briefly shutting because of depleted provides. As the nation depends closely on imports routed by way of neighbouring markets, disruptions have had an outsized influence. The authorities has responded by scaling again in-person education to 3 days per week to preserve fuel.
Myanmar
Myanmar‘s junta has launched an alternate-day driving system for personal automobiles, mirroring power conservation methods seen elsewhere in the area. This comes as the nation grapples with compounded financial challenges and fuel shortage. Enforcement measures embrace fines for non-compliance.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has launched a few of the most stringent measures in the area. Public establishments, faculties, and universities now function on a four-day work week, with Wednesdays designated as a vacation to preserve fuel. Essential providers stay operational. Fuel entry is being tightly managed by way of a National Fuel Pass system, which caps how a lot people should buy.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, authorities are taking a preventative strategy, introducing deliberate energy cuts. This is meant to ease stress on fuel consumption and electrical energy demand.
A model of this text initially appeared on Condé Nast Traveller IN.