Hoi An – popular destination for Japanese tourists
Among nearly 1 million Japanese tourists to Vietnam, 60-70 percent of whom come to Hoi An ancient city in the central province of Quang Nam, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam.
Hoi An ancient city, a world heritage site of Vietnam, is one of the hallmarks of Japanese culture that has been introduced to Vietnam since the 16th century. (Photo: VNA)
Tokyo (VNA) – Among nearly 1million Japanese tourists to Vietnam, 60-70 percent of whom come to Hoi Anancient city in the central province of Quang Nam, according to VietnameseAmbassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam.
Addressing a workshop on world heritage ofVietnam and UNESCO in Tokyo this week, the ambassador said Vietnam and Japanhave shared a lot of cultural similarities from the past to the present.
Hoi An ancient city, a world heritage site ofVietnam, is one of the hallmarks of Japanese culture that has been introducedto Vietnam since the 16th century, marking a milestone for the development ofthe bilateral relations, Nam said.
He added that Vietnam and Japan are home to manyworld heritage sites, so there should be tourism projects to help promote botheconomic development and cultural exchanges.
Deputy Director of the Department of CulturalAffairs and UNESCO under the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tran QuocKhanh said Vietnam has 38 world heritage recognised by UNESCO, including eighttangible and intangible ones. This has attracted tourists from Japan and othercountries, he said.
Vietnam expected to greet about 1 millionJapanese holidaymakers in 2020, Khanh said.
President of the Japan-based World Heritage AcademyTadashi Sugaya noted with pleasure that the number of Vietnamese tourists toJapan has been on the rise in recent years.
According to the Japan National TourismOrganisation (JNTO), Japan welcomed 40,800 Vietnamese vacationers in July 2019,a year-on-year rise of 21.8 percent.
The workshop attracted more than 100representatives from Vietnamese and Japanese travel companies. Several Japanesefirms sought tourism cooperation opportunities with Vietnam’s Bac Giang, BacNinh, Quang Tri and Binh Thuan provinces after seeing their products showcasedat the event./.
Japan is a key market of the Vietnamese tourism sector, Deputy Ambassador of Vietnam to Japan Lam Thanh Phuong said on May 14, predicting that the exchange of tourists between the two countries would reach 1.5 million arrivals by 2020.
A meeting of representatives from Hanoi’s Department of Tourism and Japanese travel companies was held in Hanoi on June 19 to seek ways to promote tourism cooperation between the capital city and the Asian nation.
The ancient city of Hoi An is being challenged by mass tourism, traffic congestion, underdeveloped waste management, vendors, street food quality and poor design and operation of homestays that have badly impacted the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site.
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.
Hoi An ancient city, a world heritage site of Vietnam, is one of the hallmarks of Japanese culture that has been introduced to Vietnam since the 16th century. (Photo: VNA) 
