Chinese, South Korean visitors drive Vietnam tourism growth

In the first half the number of tourists from the mainland increased by 230% year-on-year.

The number of Taiwanese rose by a 96%, South Koreans by 42% and Japanese by 39%, according to data from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

South Korea and China were the biggest sources of visitors with 2.2 million and 1.8 million, and accounting for 47% of all arrivals.

The increasing number of direct flights between Vietnamese and Northeast Asian cities and tourism promotions were responsible for the growing numbers from the region, industry insiders said.

South Korean low-cost airlines have increased services to Vietnam, mostly to popular destinations like Nha Trang and Phu Quoc.

A number of new services have been started between Chinese cities and HCMC and Hanoi in recent months.

Taiwanese budget airline Tigerair launched a new direct service between Taoyuan and Phu Quoc in April.

Southeast Asia has become another bright spot for Vietnam’s tourism.

The number of visitors from Indonesia grew by 116%.

The number from the Philippines (57%), Laos (20%), Singapore (9.8%), and Malaysia (9%) too increased substantially.

Visitors from European nations have been flocking to Vietnam thanks to its visa relaxation policy since August last year.

The number of tourists from the U.K., Germany, Denmark, France, Spain, and Italy all grew by 29% or more.

Vietnam has extended the duration of stay from 15 to 45 days for 13 countries unilaterally exempted from visas including some European countries like Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K.

The tourism administration said there were a number of successful promotional programs in countries such as Australia, France, Germany, and Italy.

In the second half of 2024 the number of visitors would increase dramatically, helping achieve the target of 17-18 million arrivals this year, it added.

Vietnam welcomed 8.8 million foreign tourists in the first half, up nearly 60% year-on-year.