Hanoi - favourite travel destination for New Zealanders
House of Travel, the largest travel company in New Zealand, said it has seen a significant 130% year-on-year increase in holiday bookings to Hanoi by New Zealanders, alongside a 32% rise for Bali and 11% for Tokyo.
Tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City downtown. (Photo: VNA)
Sydney (VNA) – House of Travel, the largest travel company in New Zealand, has revealed a shift in holiday trends among Kiwi travellers. While destinations such as Queensland, Fiji, London, the Cook Islands, and Sydney have traditionally topped the list, emerging hotspots now include Tokyo, Bali, and Hanoi.
David Coombes, CEO of House of Travel, said that his firm has seen a significant 130% year-on-year increase in holiday bookings to Hanoi by New Zealanders, alongside a 32% rise for Bali and 11% for Tokyo.
"This growth reflects a shift in Kiwi travel appetites, as families grow confident about exploring new destinations, where the New Zealand dollar has strong value on the ground," he commented.
Despite the shift, Fiji remained a popular choice, the agency said, offering parents the chance to enjoy a well-earned 'flop and drop' vacation, while their little ones were kept entertained in the renowned kids' clubs. "Nearly 230,000 Kiwis visited Fiji last year, accounting for around 25 percent of total arrivals," Coombes said. "Of those, over 50% had visited at least once before, and about a third returned for their third visit or more." He said many New Zealanders felt Australia was like a home away from home, with both Queensland and Sydney proving popular destinations for the school holidays.
"Sydney is a city that gives visitors an energy boost. With a packed events calendar and an award-winning theatre line-up, it's a must-visit destination," he said.
Meanwhile, Queensland offered family-friendly attractions, beautifu๊l beaches and easy public transport options, the travel agency said./.
With a rapid development of the economy and an increasing demand for high-end products, Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for New Zealand exporters, opening up many opportunities for cooperation and sustainable development in the coming time.
In the article, author Alexia Russell described Vietnam as one of the hottest travel destinations in the world right now, with international tourist numbers surging by 43% in 2024.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc expressed his hope that PM Christopher Luxon’s visit will accelerate investment cooperation from New Zealand enterprises in the coming time.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
