After years of enduring a struggling ringgit, Malaysian travellers have finally been thrown a juicy bone.
Thanks to an ascendant ringgit as well as depressed overseas currencies, our long-suffering RM has become one of the strongest performing currencies in ASEAN, not to mention Asia!
And you know what that means: cheap(er) and more affordable-ish destinations!
So hop aboard, fellow Malaysian, and let’s see which countries and destinations can help you stretch that ever-slim salary of yours!
Japan
Exchange Rate (Dec 2025): 1MYR / ~37.6JPY
Year-on-year Increase (Dec 2025): +11.76%
Visa needed: Visa-Free (90 days)
What to Buy: Wagashi sweets, matcha powder, gachapon capsule toys
Malaysians love Japan. Really, really love Japan. So much so that – among Southeast Asians – we’re second only to Thailand and Singapore!
Japan’s world-class rail lines connecting its various urban and natural attractions help to dent its pricier dining and accommodation.
Of course, tax-free shopping (for purchases above 5,000 yen) and a weaker yen helps a lot, especially when plunging into the glitzy high streets of Ginza or the pop culture hangouts of Akihabara.
And Japan isn’t limited to the Golden Route of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto either! There’s tons of underrated prefectures full of hidden gems that’ll help you stretch your strong ringgit even further.
But, with overtourism being a burning issue, a raft of planned changes to tax-free shopping and hotel taxes for 2026 might put a damper on Japan’s affordability. Better travel soon!
South Korea
Exchange Rate (Dec 2025): 1MYR / ~355.9 KRW
Year-on-year Increase (Dec 2025): +12.74%
Visa needed: ETA required (valid for 3 months)
What to Buy: K-pop merch, cosmetics, fashion
As the home of Hallyu or the Korean Wave, South Korea has gripped the Malaysian imagination for the better part of two decades.
K-pop stans and fans will find the capital Seoul a hotspot of merch, fashion and tons and tons of shopping, whether it be the hip boulevards of Hongdae or the shopping paradise of Dongdaemun.
We haven’t even mentioned so-called pilgrimage sites either, especially those related to top groups like BTS, BLACKPINK or even K-pop Demon Hunters.
Besides the weaker won, a duty-free/tax-free regime for shopping above 15,000 won means you’ll be shopping till you drop!
But cool your stanning and shopping for a bit, and you’ll see that South Korea is home to great natural sights, particularly in its mountainous interior.
Active venues from the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, world-class ski resorts and even miscellaneous winter activities like the salmon ice fishing festival at Hwacheon are aplenty in South Korea, now more accessible than ever!
China
Exchange Rate (Dec 2025): 1 MYR / ~1.7 CNY
Year-on-year Increase (Dec 2025): +4.75%
Visa needed: Visa-free (30 days)
What to Buy: Tea, herbs and blind box toys
Addressing the tourism elephant in the room, we have one of the hottest – and now cheaper – destinations for Malaysian travellers – China!
Thanks to a reciprocal visa-free policy, Malaysian travel to China in 2024 skyrocketed to almost 1.8 million travellers alone.
And it’s not hard to see why: great food at dirt cheap prices, popular regions connected by high speed rail and a neverending list of diverse destinations make China a popular go-to destination for Malaysians.
Really, it’s hard to understate how China has something for literally everyone.
City kids will enjoy the urban sprawl of megacities like the capital Beijing, the prewar villas of Qingdao and the panda hometown of Chengdu.
Meanwhile, history buffs should head for Jiangnan’s romantic canal towns that give even Venice a run for their money. Heck, if you’re determined enough, there’s seven whole architectural traditions throughout China to explore!
And lastly, nature lovers will definitely enjoy China’s legendary peaks and canyons or – if they’re adventurous – the gorgeous steppes and lakes of Xinjiang (check out our travel guide).
Argentina
Exchange Rate (Dec 2025): 1 MYR / ~351.2 ARS
Year-on-year Increase (Dec 2025): +53.03%
Visa needed: Visa-free (30 days)
What to Buy: Patagonian wool clothes, mate tea, alfajor snacks
Looking to the Western Hemisphere, we have a surprise entry in the form of Argentina!
Due to recent rounds of devaluation to tame inflation, this South American nation has become an attractive destination for Malaysian vacationers looking for travel deals.
Although lingering inflation and the price of a long-haul flight might eat into those savings, Argentina’s can easily help you break even with a weeks-long stay among its diverse collection of natural vistas.
In the north, you have grasslands, swamps and deserts next to gigantic waterfalls such as the Iguazu Falls – a World Heritage Site.
Meanwhile, in the south, vast grasslands and towering peaks make up the spectacular Patagonia region. Here are some Patagonian activities, accommodations and also the best seasons to visit (hint: tons of hiking and winter sports).
As for what to spend that extra cash at, fashionistas will appreciate Patagonian wool clothes for comfy, breathable winterwear while gourmands might like some yummy alfajor biscuits or mate tea.
Canada
Exchange Rate (Dec 2025): 1 MYR / ~0.34 CAD
Year-on-year Increase (Dec 2025): +7.51%
Visa needed: Visa Required
What to Buy: Maple syrup, winter wear, smoked salmon
Lately, increased costs, haphazard (and even hazardous) immigration policies have tanked overall travel to the United States.
But worry not, because the country right next door is lookin’ mighty fine!
In Canada, cities sporting classic architecture like Ottawa and Quebec are beautiful places to soak up the big city vibes of North America.
On the other hand, the endless swathes of icy tundra and picture-perfect lakes, particularly in the Great Lakes region, are a siren song for hikers.
And as a Winter Olympics superpower and former host, Canada is a paradise for winter enthusiasts of the sporty and less-sporty kind.
Although Canada isn’t cheap by any means and requires a pricey visa, a cheaper Canadian dollar makes it just a tiny more attainable!
Oh, and make sure to get some classic Canadian maple syrup while you’re here!
Australia & New Zealand
Australia
Exchange Rate (Dec 2025): 1 MYR / ~0.37 AUD
Increase Year-on-Year (Dec 2025): +6.61%
Visa needed: ETA required (90 days)
What to Buy: Indigenous art, chocolate snacks, wool clothing
New Zealand
Exchange Rate (Dec 2025): 1 MYR / ~0.42 NZD
Increase Year-on-Year (Dec 2025): +5.64%
Visa needed: ETA required (90 days)
What to Buy: Manuka honey, Māori handicrafts, jade jewellery
Circling back to our neighbourhood, we’re gonna cheat a little and round off our list with two destinations – Australia and New Zealand!
This continent-island duo is an alluring haven for lovers of all things outdoors.
In Australia, its sunbaked, world-class beaches and teeming marine reefs ripe for diving have drawn countless visitors from near and far.
As for New Zealand, this tiny yet fascinating island boasts fantastical mountains, glaciers and grasslands – all of which have made it into the silver screen.
Another oft-overlooked part of visiting this part of the world is the food and shopping too, with stuff like genuine manuka honey, strawberries as well as native herbs and teas that can’t be found anywhere else.
And being home to some of the oldest indigenous communities, the native art and handicrafts from both countries make for great souvenirs.
Before you head off to spend that mighty ringgit, make sure to put aside some funds for cold weather gear and to layer up properly if you’re travelling around winter!
There are also plenty of other budget international destinations that are evergreen, even if their exchange rate is less than stellar right now.
Overseas travel not within your budget right now? No worries – Malaysia’s West Coast is full of hidden gems that are easily accessible by our underrated ETS rail service!
Links
Trading Economics – Malaysian Ringgit
https://tradingeconomics.com/malaysia/currency
Hotelagio – How Many Tourists Visit China Each Year? [China Tourism Statistics]
https://hotelagio.com/china-tourism-statistics/
Visit Korea – Duty Free & Tax Refunds
https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=140736
