"Vietnam - Travel to Love" tourism stimulus programme launched
The programme packs a punch with up to 50% off accommodations, transport, dining, and entertainment nationwide. Iconic sites and scenic spots are slashing fees, making Vietnam a budget-friendly gem. Airlines are jumping in, adding direct routes and extra flights to connect Vietnam to the world.
A terraced field in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Cultur꧙e, Sports and Tourism has rolled out the tourism stimulus programme 2025 with the theme "Vietnam – Travel to Love", ignitiꦓng fresh energy for Vietnam’s green economic sector.
This move aims to spotlight Vietnam globally while luring travellers with irresistible perks, especially those from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. It is also meant to realise the Government’s Resolution on granting visa exemptions to citizens of these countries from March 1 to December 31, 2025, and another resolution to accelerate tourism growth.
New leverage
In 2024, Vietnam welcomed around 17.5 million foreign tourists and catered to 110 million domestic travellers, raking in 840 trillion VND (33.6 billion USD) in revenue. Its tourism sector also garnered international acclaim, with Vietnam being named the World’s Leading Heritage Destination for the 5th time, Asia’s Best Golf Destination for the 8th time, and Asia’s L♕eading Destination for the 6th time. Tra Que vegetable vi🌳llage in central Quang Nam province even earned a spot among UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages 2024.
“Our warm communities make Vietnam safe, friendly, and unforgettable”, said Dr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
The programme packs a punch with up to 50% off accommodations, transport, dining, and entertainment nationwide. Iconic sites and scenic spots are slashing fees, making Vietnam a budget-friendly gem. Airlines are jumping in, adding direct routes and extra flights to connect Vietnam to the world.
Foreigners tour Hanoi's Old Quarter. (Photo: VNA)
Beyond traditional promotional activities, digital technology is being leveraged to boost tourism marketing. Khanh revealed that the VNAT will launch a dedicated tourism promotion platform, enabling firms to easily access updated information and promotional programmes. Social media and digital platforms will be fully tapped to showcase Vietnam’s allure to the world.
Bright prospects in 2025
Vietnam’s tourism sector is poised for a remarkable comeback, aiming to attract 22-23 million foreign visitors and serve 120-130 million domestic travellers in 2025. To achieve this, the focus will be placed on three key trends: green tourism, night tourism, and heritage tourism.
Localities are leading the way in eco-tourism with conservation-focused models. Six Senses Con Dao, with its sustainable design and marine ecosystem restoration programme, and Son Tra Nature Reserve in Da Nang, offering educational courses on nature conservation, are prime examples. Eco-tours in Cat Ba have also received positive feedback from European and US visitors.
Night tourism is thriving, contributing around 20% of Hanoi’s total tourism revenue in 2024. Outstanding experiences include the "Decoding the Thang Long Imperial Citadel" tour and the Hoa Lo Prison night tour.
Heritage sites like Hoi An ancient city in the central province of Quang Nam and Trang An in the northern province of Ninh Binh keep pulling crowds with their timeless allure.
The goal of welcoming 23 million foreigners this year requires a growth rate of 25-30%. Media expert Nguyen Ngoc Son stressed that to compete effectively, Vietnam needs to invest heavily in digital promotion. According to a report by Google and Temasek, international tourists now primarily search for information and book services via mobile apps and websites.
Pham Hai Quynh, Director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute, stressed the need for Vietnam to streamline visa procedures, expand e-visa availability, and promote visa exemption policies and attractive destinations. Investments in transport infrastructure, accommodations, and services are also crucial to improving tourist experiences, he said.
Furthermore, Vietnam should introduce incentive packages for visitors from visa-exempt countries and focus on sustainable tourism models like eco-tourism and community-based tourism, he recommended./.
The project aims to promote the recovery of Vietnam's tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, and help address the challenges facing the industry to achieve sustainable tourism development.
Vietnam has shown strong appeal to international visitors, with recent Google search data revealing a significant surge in foreigners’ travel-related queries over the past three months, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism’s Tourism Information Technology Centre.
With a 3,260 km coastline, over 4,000 islands and bays, and deep-water ports, Vietnam is rapidly positioning itself as a premier stop for international cruise lines.
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.
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.
