Vietnam becomes a favorite tourist destination in Southeast Asia

As tourism recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, industry experts say Vietnam is becoming a popular destination for tourists coming to Asia.

International tourists strolling in Hanoi on the afternoon of the 30th of Tet. Photo: Hai Nguyen

Hot Destination Vietnam has quickly become one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia, as tourists enjoy its diverse landscapes, beaches, rice terraces and bustling cities, DW reported. According to a report by Google Destination Insights, Vietnam was the 7th most searched destination from March to June 2023 and the only country in Southeast Asia to make the top 20. Vietnam's popularity is reflected in the number of international visitors. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism announced that it welcomed more than 5.5 million foreign visitors in the first six months of 2023, surpassing the total number of international visitors in 2022. The Vietnamese tourism industry has set a target of welcoming 8 million visitors in the remaining time of 2023, however, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism predicts that this number could increase to 10 million. Bobby Nguyen, chairman of the Rustic Hospitality Group, said the increase was mainly from Chinese, Indian and South Korean tourists. “China has reopened its outbound market to Vietnam and the Indian market has grown since 2022,” said Bobby Nguyen, adding that the use of social media and the influence of large tour groups have also helped boost Vietnam’s international profile. “Having many online media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google advertising channels and other social media channels is also the fastest way to promote Vietnam’s image to the world ,” he said. Vietnam recently approved a new visa policy for international visitors , tripling the visa exemption period from 15 to 45 days for some countries and territories. And for visitors from countries eligible for an e-visa to Vietnam, the e-visa will be extended from 30 days to three months, valid for single or multiple entries. The changes will take effect on August 15. Gary Bowerman, a travel analyst in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, said the visa changes will boost tourism. "Tourism is growing and in the next six months, we will definitely see more tourism coming to Vietnam," Bowerman told DW. "I think the growth will be very strong, especially with the Chinese market coming back." One of the attractions, according to Bowerman, is that Vietnam offers both tourism and business opportunities. "Many young people now want to learn more about this country. I think there are many things about Vietnam that are unknown. Many people want to explore Vietnam. It is a country that many people want to invest in, do business and travel to," Bowerman added. Travel companies in Vietnam are excited about the new visa policy and the prospect of attracting more international visitors. “I’m looking forward to the good things to come,” said Max Lambert, owner of Fuse Hostels & Travel. Fuse opened two hostels in the popular town of Hoi An late last year, but Lambert believes his company is operating close to pre-pandemic levels. “We’ve seen a significant increase in international guests staying at our hostels in the last three months. Bookings are back to 2019 levels. I think the COVID-19 impact on our market is almost over,” he said.

Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Vietnam. Photo: Ha Nguyen

Long way to go However, the number of international visitors to Vietnam has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, Vietnam welcomed nearly 19 million international visitors. "That means Vietnam still has a long way to go if it wants to compete with Thailand's tourism," said Mr. Lambert. According to Mr. Bobby Nguyen, Vietnam must improve in a number of areas to maximize its potential. "Tourism is an integrated economy , so coordination between ministries and sectors must be tight. Infrastructure, including highways, railways and roads, has not met the development of tourism. In addition, it is necessary to retrain and retrain personnel working in the tourism industry to provide high-quality services to tourists," he added. Thailand expects to welcome 20 million tourists in 2023. However, the Thai tourism industry is aiming to return to 2019 levels, when the country welcomed a record 39 million international arrivals. "Thailand has regained its position as the most visited country in the region. The Thai tourism industry is doing very well," said analyst Bowerman. "Before the pandemic, Vietnam was not really seen as a competitor to Thailand but it was certainly an emerging player. Vietnam was seen as the next big tourism destination in Southeast Asia. I think that still holds true," added Mr. Bowerman.

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