Hanoi tourism sector eyes Western Europe, Belarus tourists
The capital city’s tourism sector has launched a number of promotion programmes to attract tourists from Belarus and five Western European countries – Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain.
Foreign tourists visit a booth showcasing Hanoi's handicrafts (Photo: VNA)
The capital city’s tourism sector has launched a number of promotion programmes to attract tourists from Belarus and five Western European countries – Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain.
The move comes after the Government granted one-year visa exemptions for tourists from Western European countries and five years for Belarus, as heard at a conference in Hanoi on July 23.
Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh revealed that tourists from the five Western European countries all consider Hanoi their primary destination when visiting Vietnam.
As such, the Government’s visa exemption policy presents a good opportunity for the capital to build new high-quality tourism products, he said.
Businesses asked the tourism sector to host more art performances such as puppetry, “ca tru” ceremonial singing, “cheo” (traditional operetta) and circuses to entertain visitors.
Meanwhile, the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism should hold similar programmes at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Van Mieu (the Temple of Literature) and Quoc Tu Giam (Vietnam’s first national university).
Deputy Director of the Ho Guom tourism company Do Mai Huong said other destinations such as Ha Long, Da Nang and Quang Binh are pushing ahead with tourism product development.
Therefore, if Hanoi is not quick to create high-quality products, visitors will flock to these vicinities, she noted.
Tourist agencies and service suppliers should collaborate on promotion programmes, Director of the Newstartour Company Luong Duy Ngan recommended.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam Tourism Association ought to work with airlines to reduce air tickets prices, experts said.
They also advised launching agency promotion campaigns and ask them to open new tours with reasonable prices.
The Vietnam Tourism Association, in particular,🌟 has been encouraging b🅷usinesses to join the drive and popularising the visa exemption policy to target markets.-VNA
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has proposed visa exemptions for visitors from certain markets in North America, Europe, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia, and a lengthening of visa-free duration for other markets to attract more foreign travelers to Vietnam, the Saigon Times Daily reported.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Vietnam increased by 9.5 percent month-on-month in August 2014, according to figures from the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Vietnam would see an increase of 8-18 percent in the number of overseas visitors if e-visa and visas on arrival were available at all border gates, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
Promoting domestic tourism has been defined a key contributor to the sector’s growth this year, heard a conference held by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) on April 5.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Foreign tourists visit a booth showcasing Hanoi's handicrafts (Photo: VNA)
