Representatives from Belgian travel firms are presented with air tickets to Vietnam (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – The tourism market of Vietnamwas introduced to Belgian travel firms during a conference in Belgium’s Anverscity on November 9.
Addressing the event, Tran Ngoc Quan, Vietnamese Trade Counselorin Belgium, updated participants on Vietnam’s new visa policies, including theapplication of e-visas on citizens from 257 countries and territories, and theextension of e-visa validity from one to three months, creating more favourableconditions for foreign tourists to Vietnam.
Iako Khomeriki, a representative of APG - the sale agent ofVietnam Airlines in Belgium, said that the Vietnamese carrier is a favouriteairline of passengers travelling to Vietnam. After COVID-19 pandemic, in June 2022, the airline resumed its flight routes to Europe with seven flightseach week on the Hanoi-Paris route and 3-4 flights on Ho Chi Minh City-Parisroute. The number of flights from Hanoi to Germany has also increased to 6-7flights per week, he said, holding that this is a good condition for Europeantourists to explore Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of Asian Trails Vietnam Bui VietThuy Tien said that Vietnam is strong in MICE (meetings, incentives,conferences and exhibitions) tourism thanks to diverse tourist destinationsacross the country. Moreover, Vietnam is a convenient transit point for flightsto Laos and Cambodia, Tien said.
Representatives from Belgium travel firms affirmed that theywill continue to introduce Vietnam tourism to their customers in Belgium andEurope.
Speaking to Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent inBrussels, Tien said that after COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to resume theMICE tourism market, which has attracted great attention from Belgium visitors.
Tom Van Beek from De Buck Agency said after 20 years of presence in Vietnam, the company found that customers are satisfied with Vietnam where they canexplore many exciting things. Particularly, travelers love Vietnamese cuisine,he said.
However, he held that the greatest challenge to travelcompanies of Belgium is the lack of a direct air route connecting Belgium andVietnam. Having to take one or two transits with a duration of 17-18 hours hasmade tourists hesitate to choose Vietnam, he explained./.
Ho Chi Minh City always treasures investment from and trade with Flanders region and many other Belgian localities, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai said while hosting Minister – President of the Government of the Belgian region Jan Jambon on September 14.
The Belgian Culture & Food Festival 2023 (B.Fest 2023), the third of its kind and the largest Belgian culture and food event ever hosted in Vietnam, opened in the northern port city of Hai Phong on October 6 evening as a celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1973-2023).
A Vietnam-Belgium business meeting was held in Brussels on October 18, aiming to create a chance for direct discussions and connections among enterprises of the two countries.
The Flemish Association for Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance (VVOB) - a non-profit organisation in Belgium operating in education, received a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its operation in Vietnam.
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.
Representatives from Belgian travel firms are presented with air tickets to Vietnam (Photo: VNA) 
