Vietnam – RoK’s largest source of Southeast Asian visitors
The Republic of Korea (RoK) is expected to welcome 420,000 Vietnamese visitors for the whole year 2023, the highest number among Southeast Asian countries, according to the Korean Tourism Organisation (KTO) in Vietnam.
KTO Chief Representative Lee Jae Hoon presents awards to Vietnamese partners (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Republic of Korea (RoK) is expected to welcome420,000 Vietnamese visitors for the whole year 2023, the highest number amongSoutheast Asian countries, according to the Korean Tourism Organisation (KTO)in Vietnam.
During January – November, over 386,900 Vietnamese travelled to the RoK,accounting for 74% of the figure recorded in the same period of 2019-the year, prior to COVID-19, and 139.7% of the number in the same timelast year.
Vietnamwas the RoK’s top MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) touristmarket in the Southeast Asian region as more than over 38,400 visitors madeMICE trips to the country as of November.
Accordingto Lee Jae Hoon, KTO Chief Representative, around 3.6 million Koreans will visitVietnam in 2023, making it the largest source of foreign tourists of Vietnam.
Vietnamhas been a top priority market of the RoK thanks to the close relations acrosspolitics, economy, culture and tourism, he said.
With a view to realising its set target of welcoming 10 million internationalvisitors in 2023, the KTO has carried out an array of activities to diversifyits tourism markets, with a focus sharpened to the Southeast Asian region.
Next year, the organisation will introduce the RoK’s as a wonderful travel destination forinternational visitors, including those in Vietnam, through the top 100alluring destinations in the Rok programme, and K-Tourism Roadshows./.
Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-kyu co-chaired the 13th meeting of the Vietnam-RoK Joint Committee for Trade, Industry and Energy Cooperation and the 7th meeting of the Joint Committee for the implementation of the Vietnam-RoK free trade agreement in Seoul on December 7.
The Vietnam-Korea Friendship Association (VKFA) in Ho Chi Minh City plans to organize cultural exchange events, creating conditions for the people of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) to increase mutual understanding and support, heard its third national congress for the 2023-28 term on December 8.
Hoang Quoc Long, head of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ youth affairs department, and Lee In-hyuk, Director-General of the Korean Foundation (KF) ASEAN Culture House, signed an extension of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in youth-related experience sharing and exchanges in Hanoi on December 14.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
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.
KTO Chief Representative Lee Jae Hoon presents awards to Vietnamese partners (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) 
