Vietnamese border town awaits return of Chinese tourists

The moves come as China has loosened its pandemic prevention policies and eased travel restrictions, hinting that it may soon allow its nationals to travel abroad again.

Mong Cai authorities have urged businesses and facilities that cater to tourists to upgrade infrastructure and increase staff training in preparation for their first Chinese travelers in three years.

Vietnam resumed air services to China last week after a three-year Covid hiatus.

Mong Cai, around 170 kilometers north of UNESCO heritage site Ha Long Bay, is home to 15 tourist attractions and nearly 200 accommodation establishments.

In 2019, Ha Long welcomed 2.9 million international visitors, 60% of which were from China.

China used to be Vietnam's biggest tourism market until the pandemic intervened, with nearly 5.8 million Chinese visiting in 2019.

In the absence of Chinese tourists, Vietnam only received 2.95 million foreign visitors in the first 11 months of this year, or just more than half its full-year target of five million.

Vietnam opened its borders in March.