Vietnam among top destinations favoured by Korean tourists
Vietnam has ranked second among the most favorite destinations for travellers from the Republic of Korea (RoK), according to statistics provided by the immigration agency of the RoK Ministry of Justice.
Koreans travellers in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA)
Seoul (VNA) - Vietnam has ranked second among the most favorite destinations for travellers from the Republic of Korea (RoK), according to statistics provided by the immigration agency of the RoK Ministry of Justice.
Accordingly, the number of Koreans travelling abroad increased dramatically in the first nine months of 2023, with over 16.22 million tourists going by air, up 382.7% year-on-year.
The top five countries based on the number of passengers using flights in the January-September period are Japan (4,859,770 people), Vietnam (2,567,968), Thailand (1,089,888), the Philippines (1,086,291), and the US (800,399).
A culture exchange to promote tourism between Da Nang an the RoK (Photo: VNA)
The number of Korean tourists visiting Vietnam in the reviewed period sharply surged by 389.7% compared to the same period in 2022. The central coastal city of Da Nang was the most attractive destination for Korean visitors.
The country that has reported the most decrease in the number of Korean tourists compared to the time before the COVID-19 pandemic is China. Before the health crisis, China ranked among the countries most favoured by Korean travellers, but this year the country slipped out of the top five. The tourist arrivals to and from China reaching over 3.4 million in 2019, but so far the recovery has been negligible./.
Four central localities including Da Nang, Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Binh jointly held a webinar on November 22 to promote tourism to the Republic of Korean market.
Vietnam is still a favourite tourist destination for Republic of Korea travellers on the upcoming Seollal or Korean Lunar New Year - a holiday and celebration which marks the first day of the Korean Lunar Calendar. This year, Seollal falls on January 22.
Vietnam is the most popular destination among Korean tourists this summer, according to Hana Tour, the largest travel company in the Republic of Korea.
Korean Air will start direct flights connecting Seoul to Phu Quoc resort island in southern Vietnam, also known as the Pearl Island, from the end of November 2023 to meet the increasing travel demand of Korean tourists to Vietnam's largest island.
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.
Koreans travellers in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA) 
A culture exchange to promote tourism between Da Nang an the RoK (Photo: VNA) 
