The boost from international tourists

The expanded visa exemption policy and strong growth in international visitors from traditional markets offer great prospects for the tourism industry.

On March 12th in Quang Ninh , the cruise ship Celebrity Solstice, carrying 3,000 international tourists, docked at Ha Long port; meanwhile, in the Southwest region, four riverboats carrying 200 international tourists began their tour of the Mekong Delta. A day earlier, a group of 1,100 international tourists from the Azamara Pursuit also arrived at Saigon port (Ho Chi Minh City).

Visa access is now widespread.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Luu, General Director of Saigontourist Travel Service Company, said that these international tour groups were all welcomed and served by the company. This is another positive sign for the tourism industry in the context of the Government's recent decision to waive visa requirements for citizens of 12 countries - including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

Earlier this year, the Government issued Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated January 15, 2025, on visa exemption under the tourism stimulus program for citizens of Poland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

International visitor numbers to Vietnam showed positive growth in the first two months of 2025. Photo: LAM GIANG

According to businesses, increasingly flexible visa policies will facilitate attracting more international tourists to Vietnam. Mr. Luu suggested that the Government continue to grant visa exemptions to more key markets, especially those with high-spending tourists and frequent travel needs.

According to the General Statistics Office, in the first two months of 2025, the tourism industry welcomed nearly 4 million international visitors, a 30.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Of these, China was the largest source market, with over 955,000 visitors; followed by South Korea with over 885,000. Notably, some traditional tourist markets are showing positive signs of recovery, such as Russia, which reached over 79,000 visitors, double the number from the same period.

Recently, Anex Vietnam Trading and Tourism Company Limited – the company that brings Russian tourists to Khanh Hoa – announced that it will reopen charter flights connecting 11 Russian cities with Nha Trang via Cam Ranh International Airport, starting March 16th. This activity marks the strong return of the Russian tourism market in Vietnam, contributing to the recovery and development of international tourism in Khanh Hoa.

Speaking with a reporter from the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, Chairman of IPPG Group, commented that the resumption of charter flights bringing Russian and Eastern European tourists to Vietnam is a positive sign for the tourism industry, particularly for traditional markets that have been severely affected since the COVID-19 pandemic. "Along with Russian and Eastern European tourists in general, the prospects for Chinese tourists to visit, travel, and experience shopping at Vietnamese destinations are very high. The number of visitors must be accompanied by the goal of stimulating them to spend more and stay longer. IPPG has signed a cooperation agreement with China Duty Free to open duty-free shops in Vietnam to attract a large number of Chinese tourists," Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen stated.

The big players join forces.

Along with positive signs regarding attracting international tourists, collaborations between major businesses in the tourism industry are expected to enhance the effectiveness of destination promotion, contributing to achieving the target of welcoming 22-23 million visitors this year.

Specifically, also on March 12th, Sun World – a complex of entertainment and recreation facilities belonging to Sun Group – and Saigontourist Travel Service Company signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement for 2025. The cooperation aims to provide high-quality tourism products, boost promotion and marketing, and enhance the experience for domestic and international tourists. The event is expected to bring about more unique tour products and promotional campaigns to promote the image of Vietnamese tourism internationally.

According to Mr. Pham Quoc Quan, a member of the Board of Directors of Sun Group, potential cooperation solutions between Sun World and Saigontourist Travel will create leverage and enhance the brand value of Vietnam's tourism industry by diversifying customer experiences.

This year, Sun World and Saigontourist Travel will launch a special campaign "Beloved Vietnam - Beloved S-country - Love Vietnam through every trip," with a focus on exploring five of Vietnam's top destinations: Fansipan Peak (Sa Pa), Cat Ba World Natural Heritage Site, Da Nang International Festival City, Phu Quoc pristine island paradise, and Tay Ninh sacred cultural land.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Luu, strategic cooperation helps expand tourism products, enhance visitor experiences, and elevate Vietnam's tourism standing. He emphasized that instead of competing, businesses should cooperate to jointly promote the image of Vietnam and its people, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the tourism industry.

Recently, Sun World has also collaborated with Vietravel on a multi-channel promotional campaign targeting both domestic and international tourists, from digital platforms. The two parties have also organized promotional programs, roadshows, and famtrips to introduce new experiences at Sun World's entertainment system.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/cu-hich-tu-khach-quoc-te-196250312212041141.htm