Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh attract tourists from the Philippines and South Korea markets.

To contribute to a rapid and sustainable increase in the number of tourists visiting Vietnam from the Philippines and South Korea, from October 15-19, the Vietnam Tourism Association, in coordination with Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces, organized a famtrip for 50 representatives of tourism businesses to survey new tourism products, meet with Vietnamese tourism businesses, and establish business cooperation relationships.

Báo Tin Tức•17/10/2025

Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, stated: This event aims to implement the Vietnam Tourism Association's Action Program to carry out Resolution 226-NQ/CP dated August 5, 2025, of the Government on growth targets for industries, sectors, and localities, and key tasks and solutions to ensure national growth in 2025 reaches 8.3-8.5%; contributing to realizing the goal of welcoming 25 million international tourists by 2025.

Photo caption — Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh and Chairman of the Independent Travel Agents Association of the Philippines (ITATOA) Carmelita G. Buñao signed a commitment to support tourism promotion.

In the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed 15.44 million international visitors, a 21.5% increase compared to the same period last year. South Korea continued to be the largest market, with 3.2 million visitors, accounting for 21% of the total number of visitors to Vietnam. Notably, the number of visitors from the Philippines increased sharply by 92.2%, reaching 337,000, becoming a prominent new market for Vietnamese tourism.

Mr. Binh emphasized that the Vietnam Tourism Association has been strengthening bilateral cooperation programs. In 2024, the Association signed a Commitment to Cooperation in Tourism Development with the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA). At this event, the Vietnam Tourism Association continued to sign a new Memorandum of Cooperation with the Independent Travel Agents Association of the Philippines (ITATOA), led by its President, Ms. Carmelita G. Buñao.

During a tourism promotion and survey program in Thanh Hoa, Mr. Binh stated that: With its rich and unique natural and cultural tourism resources, especially the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage site, and the friendly and attentive service of Thanh Hoa's tourism businesses, the locality has great potential for strong development in the future.

Mr. Tran Song Tung, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee, expressed his honor that Ninh Binh was chosen as a survey destination for the international famtrip delegation, and affirmed that this is an opportunity for Ninh Binh to promote its strengths and unique tourism products to potential Asian markets.

Mr. Tran Song Tung stated that, after the merger, the new Ninh Binh province not only expanded geographically but also consolidated the resources, culture, and economy of three historically significant and culturally rich regions, creating a powerful synergistic effect in development.

With over 5,000 relics of various types, including 10 special national relics, 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and more than 40 national intangible cultural heritage sites, Ninh Binh is aiming to become a "Millennium Heritage City - Global Creative City" by 2030.

In the first nine months of 2025, Ninh Binh welcomed nearly 17 million visitors, including 1.6 million international tourists; revenue reached nearly 18,000 billion VND, affirming its brand as a leading destination in Vietnam and its increasing attractiveness on the regional tourism map.

Ms. Vuong Thi Hai Yen, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa province, said: Thanh Hoa is a province located in the northern part of Central Vietnam. Dubbed "Vietnam in miniature," this land of "spiritual and talented people" boasts a rich history, culture, and traditions spanning nearly 1,000 years. Thanh Hoa possesses the potential of three economic regions: mountainous and midland areas, plains, and coastal areas; it has outstanding natural tourism resources and rich cultural tourism resources with over 300 unique cultural festivals and diverse, attractive local cuisine.

This is the foundation for three distinctive and attractive tourism product lines: Coastal and island tourism products, with a 102 km coastline that has formed many of the most beautiful beaches in the North, such as Sam Son, Hai Tien, Hai Hoa, Nghi Son… This is the province's flagship tourism product, accounting for 70-80% of visitors to Thanh Hoa.

Cultural heritage tourism products are formed from 1,535 relics, 1 World Heritage site, 5 special national relics, and nearly 1,000 ranked relics, most notably the Ho Dynasty Citadel World Heritage site and the Lam Kinh Special Historical Relic Area - destinations included in the famtrip itinerary.

Community-based ecotourism products attract visitors, especially international tourists, with a system of 4 national parks and nature reserves, home to ethnic minority villages with rich cultural identities, along with terraced rice fields and magnificent waterfalls.

“In recent years, Thanh Hoa has consistently ranked among the top provinces nationwide in attracting tourists. For example, in 2024, Thanh Hoa welcomed over 15.3 million visitors (ranking 5th nationwide). South Korea and the Philippines are two of the key, promising markets for Vietnamese tourism in general and Thanh Hoa in particular. This survey trip is a very important opportunity for South Korean and Philippine tourism businesses to learn about the potential, products, and services of Thanh Hoa. At the same time, it is also a good opportunity for Thanh Hoa tourism businesses to introduce, connect, and promote direct cooperation with international partners effectively,” Ms. Yen stated.

Following her survey, Ms. Carmelita G. Buñao, President of the Philippine Independent Travel Association, highly praised Vietnamese destinations, including Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa, for their beautiful nature, diverse culture, and friendly people. Based on her experience, Philippine travel businesses will develop tour packages to introduce to Filipino tourists, thereby increasing the number of visitors to Vietnam and the two provinces of Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa.

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