Vietnam expected to welcome more ASEAN tourists this year
More than 100 foreign partners have signed cooperation deals and contracts and pledged to bring tourists to Vietnam within two days at the Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) Trade Fair 2024 in Laos.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung (front, second from right) talks to visitors to the pavilion of Vietnam at TRAVEX 2024. (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – More than 100 foreign partners have signed cooperation dealsand contracts and pledged to bring tourists to Vietnam within two days at the TravelExchange (TRAVEX) Trade Fair 2024 in Laos.
TRAVEX2024, the biggest of its kind held annually in the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN), took place from January 24-26 with the participationof localities and businesses from ASEAN member countries.
The pavilionof Vietnam, covering 54 sq.m., featured the five provinces of Dien Bien, Ninh Binh,Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh and three travel companies who introduced anumber of tourism products to regional and international businesses.
Data from the Ministry ofCulture, Sports and Tourism showed that about 2.1 million of the 12.6million international visitors to Vietnam in 2023 came from the ASEAN countries.
Given this, at this year’sevent, Vietnam also looked to popularise its tourism images to attract moretravellers from the ASEAN members since with a combined population of 670 million, thebloc is a potential market for travel companies of Vietnam as well as regionalcountries.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung told the Vietnam News Agency's resident correspondents on January 25 thatintra-ASEAN tourism is highly important and holds favourable conditions such asmany cultural similarities, beautiful landscapes, and hospitable people. These areadvantages for attracting tourists from both the member countries and others across the world. To do that, each nation needs to step up the introduction of itsbeauty and potential.
He alsohighly valued the Vietnamese localities and businesses taking part in the fair,which, he said, was a chance to advertise the country’s tourism potential and strengthsto international friends to help reach this year’s target of 17 - 18 millioninternational tourist arrivals./.
Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung joined his counterparts from nine ASEAN member countries and Timor Leste at the 27th Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers that took place in Vientiane, Laos on January 25.
ASEAN member states should consider measures to intensify tourism cooperation between the bloc and Russia, Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said on January 26.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung has suggested the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to strengthen connection and support ASEAN centres in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) in tourism promotional activities.
The Vietnam National Tourism Authority (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on January 26 launched a video clip entitled "Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa: Touching your heart!" as part of the activities to promote the south-central province’s tourism within the VNAT’s tourism communications programme on digital platforms.
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.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung (front, second from right) talks to visitors to the pavilion of Vietnam at TRAVEX 2024. (Photo: VNA) 
