International arrivals in Vietnam expected to grow in 2024
The volume of international arrivals in Vietnam is forecast to increase in 2024, said The Outbox Company in a report titled “Vietnam Travel Landscape 2024” released on January 17.
The volume of international arrivals in Vietnam is forecast to increase in 2024. In photo: Golden Bridge in the central city of Da Nang. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The volume of internationalarrivals in Vietnam is forecast to increase in 2024, said The Outbox Company ina report titled “Vietnam Travel Landscape 2024” released on January 17.
According to the Vietnam-based market intelligence company, the country’saviation industry has bounced back impressively since the travel restrictionstriggered by COVID-19 were relaxed in the country and the world. Vietnam hasquickly become the world’s fastest recovering domestic aviation market and isexpected to establish itself as the fifth fastest developing one by 2035.
Despite challenges in 2022 and surging costs in 2023, the hospitality industryhas also shown resilience. For example, a higher occupancy rate and basicefficiency are also considered positive signals for 2024. Hotel bookings arerising strongly, and the hotel investment market is now in the process of fullrecovery, the firm said.
Given such signals, the travel landscape in 2024 is following such main trendsas experiential tourism, wellness tourism, eco-tourism, and sports tourism.Tourists’ growing preference for the brands matching personal value and ethicswill change the market.
In particular, the trend of using smart guides and ChatGPT in tourism will helpboost the stature of travel agents, the report noted.
Talking about Vietnam’s tourism achievements in 2023, The Outbox Company saidthe tourism industry has demonstrated a significant recovery, with a remarkableincrease in international tourist arrivals to reach 12.59 million, soaringalmost four-fold from 2022.
However, the recovery rate of Vietnam in the first three quarters of 2023 stood at 44% ofpre-pandemic levels, the lowest among popular Southeast Asian destinations. Theabsence of Chinese tourists remains a significant factor in the lower numbers.
A bright spot of Vietnam’s tourism industry in 2023 was the diversity ofinternational tourist sources, from emerging markets to niche ones, helpingincrease foreign visitors to the country. Besides tourists fromEast Asian markets like China and the Republic of Korea, there is thepotential of those from some other regions.
In particular, India is emerging as an attractive market for Vietnam’s tourismindustry, as the wealth and interest in tourism of the middle class in theSouth Asian country is on the rise. India's outbound tourism is predicted togrow considerably. If the industry increases measures for tapping into thismarket such as easing the visa policy and adjusting services, it can enhancethe attractiveness to Indian visitors, the company added./.
2024 is expected to be a good year for Vietnam's tourism sector as positive signals have been seen in many destinations such as Phu Quoc, Tay Ninh and Da Nang right from the beginning of the year.
The world's largest travel guidance platform TripAdvisor has recently announced winners of its Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2024, with various destinations in Vietnam honoured.
Gulf News, one of two English-language daily publications in the Persian Gulf region, listed the main reasons for its destination picks as being a mix of iconic cities, cultural treasures, tropical escapes, and foodie havens.
With the country rapidly advancing its plan to merge provincial-level administrative units, set to be completed by mid-August, the tourism industry, along with other sectors, is presented with challenges but also significant opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth in the era of the nation's rise.
Located at an altitude of over 1,500 metres above sea level, Sapa is dubbed the “Switzerland of Vietnam” for its temperate climate, breathtaking scenery, and European-inspired architecture.
A quick search for “Vietnam is calling” on TikTok reveals a myriad of clips capturing the excitement of visitors setting off for Vietnam, with short videos showing tourists holding their passports, wheeling their suitcases through airports or exploring Vietnam’s scenic landscapes, diverse cuisine and unique culture - all set to upbeat, catchy soundtracks.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
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.