The South Korean tourist market: A "golden land" beginning to be explored.

South Korea is considered the international market with the largest number of visitors to Vietnam; therefore, this country has become a "golden land" full of potential that many localities in the country's tourism industry want to exploit effectively. In Binh Thuan, from the beginning of 2024 until now, the number of South Korean tourists visiting and experiencing the province has gradually increased, ranking third in terms of the number of international visitors.

Báo Bình Thuận•03/04/2025

The story of two destinations

As you may recall, in early May 2024, to strengthen connections, expand cooperation and trade opportunities, and promote attracting Korean tourists to Binh Thuan , the Binh Thuan Provincial People's Committee organized a Binh Thuan Tourism Promotion Conference in Seoul, South Korea. This was also the first time Binh Thuan had hosted such a conference in the "Land of Kimchi". During that trip, Binh Thuan and Korean entities identified several key areas for strong development, paving the way for a mutually beneficial partnership. These included introducing Binh Thuan to the Korean market, using targeted advertising, social media interaction, and participating in tourism fairs and events. Customized tour packages would be developed to specifically meet the preferences of Korean tourists, combining experiences of immersion in local culture and cuisine with adventurous activities.

Binh Thuan province organized a Binh Thuan tourism promotion conference in Seoul, South Korea.

Following that successful trip, recently, in mid-March 2025, a Korean Famtrip delegation led by the Vietnamese Tourism Ambassador to Korea, Ly Chang-Kwan, and including representatives from Vietnam Airlines in Korea, major travel companies, media outlets, and Korean celebrities, visited Binh Thuan to survey tourism products. During this visit, the Famtrip delegation was guided to visit attractive and unique products of Phan Thiet - Binh Thuan such as Sea Links City, NovaWorld Phan Thiet Golf Course, Wine Castle, Duc Thanh School historical site, Po Sah Inu Tower historical site, Bau Trang ecological tourist area; several hotels and resorts… experiencing some typical services of Binh Thuan tourism and enjoying delicious seafood specialties of Phan Thiet…

Recently, a South Korean Famtrip delegation led by the Vietnamese Tourism Ambassador to South Korea, Ly Xuong Can, visited Binh Thuan province. (Photo: Duy Tuan)

In particular, the Korean Famtrip delegation also participated in the Tourism Seminar "Meeting and Connecting Business between Binh Thuan and Korean Tourism Enterprises". This was a good opportunity for Binh Thuan tourism businesses to introduce their products, services, and attractive promotional programs to Korean travel agencies, media outlets, and celebrities to promote and market the destination to Korean tourists. Mr. Ly Xuong Can, Vietnam's tourism ambassador to South Korea, shared: "I once likened Binh Thuan to a 'sleeping princess.' With the positive response from the Vietnamese government through preferential policies and its abundant tourism resources, I hope that Binh Thuan province will develop tourism policies that explore the unique and distinctive features found only in Binh Thuan. During Binh Thuan's first working visit to South Korea, many companies paid more attention to the Binh Thuan market. And we are coming to Binh Thuan this time to continue that previous event. After returning to Vietnam, we will actively promote Binh Thuan tourism even more."

Korean Famtrip delegation arrives in Binh Thuan. Photo: Duy Tuan

Many innovative solutions to attract Korean tourists.

According to many tourism experts, Binh Thuan is currently one of the emerging destinations attracting significant attention from South Korean tourists, offering unique experiences such as: watching the sunrise over endless white sand dunes in the early morning; challenging oneself on stunning golf courses with almost 100% of the holes overlooking the vast, azure ocean; or enjoying local seafood specialties in seaside resorts nestled behind tropical coconut trees… According to statistics from Binh Thuan's tourism industry, in the first two months of 2025, Binh Thuan welcomed over 1.85 million visitors. International visitors reached 116,000, an increase of over 32% compared to the same period in 2024, with South Korea ranking third in terms of the number of international visitors to Binh Thuan.

Binh Thuan tourism is developing unique product packages to suit the tastes of South Korean tourists.

Currently, Binh Thuan is focusing on developing green and sustainable tourism with unique products such as ecotourism, agricultural tourism, cultural tourism, nature exploration tourism, adventure tourism, and wellness tourism. These products are linked to the conservation of natural resources and the promotion of local cultural values, while also aiming to attract Korean tourists.

During his trip to South Korea, as well as during the reception of the South Korean Famtrip delegation in Binh Thuan, Mr. Nguyen Minh – Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee – affirmed that: To receive even more attention from tourists from South Korea, Binh Thuan province will work alongside localities and tourism businesses in the province to develop preferential policies and stimulus programs for South Korean tourism businesses bringing tourists to Binh Thuan. At the same time, the province will create favorable conditions and provide maximum support for South Korean investors to invest in and develop tourism products in Binh Thuan, and for businesses from both sides to effectively exploit existing potential, thereby contributing to the further development and expansion of Binh Thuan's tourism.

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