Very challenging goal

Data from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism shows that in 2023, Vietnam will welcome about 12.5 million international visitors, 1.5 times higher than the set target (8 million arrivals) and complete the adjusted target (12.5-13 million arrivals) of 2023; however, compared to 2019, it is still only 69%.

Speaking to VietNamNet reporters at the 2023 State Management Conference held in the middle of last week, Deputy Director of the National Tourism Administration Pham Van Thuy said that this year, Vietnam tourism set a target of welcoming 8 million international visitors, which was completed by the end of October, an increase of 17% over the same period last year.

Therefore, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism boldly proposed to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism the target of welcoming 18 million international visitors in 2024, fully recovering to the level before the Covid-19 pandemic (2019).

“I expect that goal will be achieved because we have a flexible visa policy; localities focus on investing in infrastructure and accommodation facilities; the boldness of travel companies and the connection between businesses create attractive tourism products,” Mr. Thuy shared.

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By the end of November 2023, South Korea continued to be the largest market sending visitors with 3.2 million arrivals (accounting for 28.5%). China ranked second, reaching 1.5 million arrivals. Followed by the markets of Taiwan (China), the US, and Japan (Photo: Tripadvisor).

Mr. Nguyen Cong Hoan, General Director of Flamingo Redtours, said that Vietnam tourism has many opportunities to reach 18-20 million international visitors next year.

The reason is because the visa issue, after 20 years of 'deadlock', has become very open. When the Immigration Law took effect (from August 15), the growth in international visitors was impressive.

Not to mention, 2023 also marked the success of diplomatic activities. The image of the country and people of Vietnam was promoted a lot to the world, especially in distant markets. In particular, the reception of heads of state by Vietnamese leaders, with unprecedented activities such as drinking coffee together, cycling, walking, sitting and watching Hoan Kiem Lake, etc., has brought about a very good effect in promoting Vietnamese tourism - according to Mr. Hoan, this is a favorable factor to attract international visitors.

Previously, sharing with PV.VietNamNet, Mr. Tran The Dung, General Director of Vietluxtour Company, also affirmed that in 2024, Vietnam tourism could reach 18 million international visitors. If the target of 15-16 million visitors is set, it is too "safe".

Supporting the determination to welcome 18 million international visitors next year, Mr. Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, assessed that the target is very challenging. For example, in Da Nang, this year, the locality reached 5.6 million domestic visitors and 2 million international visitors. Domestic visitors exceeded 2019 but international visitors only reached 60% (2019 reached 3.5 million).

Finding ways to make up for the shortage from the Chinese market

The biggest shortfall is in Chinese tourists, which has dropped from 5 million in 2019 to 1.5 million now. To reach the target of 18 million, at least 50-60% of Chinese tourists and visitors from traditional markets must recover.

Meanwhile, businesses predict that the Chinese market will not recover quickly next year and will need to be compensated by other markets.

Vietnam tourism still has to rely on traditional markets in Northeast Asia such as Korea, Japan, Taiwan (China),... from Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines or by road such as Cambodia and Laos. In addition, it is necessary to exploit in depth distant markets such as Europe, North America; emerging markets from South Asia such as India with the hope of reaching 1 million visitors next year. It is necessary to identify target markets early to form specific, suitable products to promote from the beginning of the year.

Regarding the growth of visitors, in addition to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Dung recommended supporting more resources, products and promoting Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Quang Ninh,... other gateways with high capacity to welcome visitors. Localities also need to prepare new products rich in experiences and creativity to attract small customers to access through smart platforms.

Tourism expert Nguyen Duc Chi analyzed that it takes time to recover Chinese tourists for many reasons, including their own internal reasons. The problem is to study in depth the growth of Korean tourists to exploit more strongly. This tourist stream has the prospect of surpassing 2019 next year. The same is true for Indian tourists.

With 13 European countries benefiting from the visa exemption policy, increasing the number of days of stay, in 11 months of 2023 there was a significant increase in the number of visitors, such as France with the strongest increase of 72.5%, UK increased by 38.6%, Germany increased by 36%, Italy increased by 55%, ... the group of visitors from Northern European countries such as Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, ... also increased from 33% to more than 84%.

However, Mr. Nguyen Duc Chi wondered whether the number of visitors has really increased sharply thanks to visa incentives or is it just a normal recovery? What factors are driving the number of international visitors to Vietnam: which tourism products or destinations are keeping visitors longer with the new visa policy? It is necessary to consider carefully to have appropriate policies to attract visitors.

In addition, many opinions are also concerned that, according to forecasts, 2024 will be an even more difficult year than 2023 with many risks and unexpected factors of war, armed conflicts, diseases, economic recession, etc. As a comprehensive economic sector, Vietnam's tourism needs the cooperation of many other agencies and sectors.

Vietnam welcomes 13 million international visitors: The destination is 'within reach' Vietnam plans to adjust the target of welcoming 8 million international visitors in 2023 to 12.5-13 million, a number considered feasible. However, there are still many barriers that need to be removed so that international tourism can fully recover next year.