Fostering Thai-Vietnamese tourism

Nearly half of Vietnamese tourists have selected Thailand

The Thai tourism sector welcomed nearly 30 million of international visitors in 2015, despite adverse effects from a bomb blast at Bangkok’s Erawan Shrine in August. This year’s figure is expected to reach 32 million of international visitors.

Accounting for 14.5 percent of Thai GDP, tourism is now one of major economic sectors of the country. Thailand’s wide range of offerings has attracted not only international tourists but also clients from the meetings, incentives, convention and exhibition, and shopping tourism segments. The tourism industry has drawn a perse crowd of travelers seeking out all business and leisure opportunities, from Muay Thai Live to shopping in night markets.

In addition, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has adopted long-term tourism strategies to promote its image abroad, while opening representative offices in each market in the region to provide information for visitors.

Vietnamese tourists traveling to Thailand have constantly increased. Fiditour’s Marketing and Communications Division Director Tran Thi Bao Thu said that among Asian tourism markets, the rate of Vietnamese tourists selecting Thailand as a destination has accounted for 40-45 percent. Fiditour has around 25-30 Thai trips each month on average. Vietnamese tourists have chosen Thailand thanks to reasonable prices in line with all kinds of customers.

According to the TST Tourist Company, Thai tours have attracted the interests of customers due to reasonable prices ranging from VND7.28 million per guest, equivalent to tours to the central Vietnam or Phu Quoc. The company currently has 10-16 Thai tours each month. “The Thai tourism sector has actively provided up-to-date information for customers through a series of events to introduce new destinations, services, festivals as well as the shopping sale season in Bangkok. Therefore, Thai tours have engaged the interests of customers,” TST Tourist Company’s Head of Marketing Division Nguyen Minh Man said.

Vietravel Company’s Marketing Division Director Tran Thi Viet Huong said that Thailand is a traditional market, and the company has gained experience in Thai tours with around 5,200 visitors traveling to Thailand each month. Professional advertisement programs provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand have attracted more and more Vietnamese tourists to Thailand.

In addition, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has also offered support for Vietravel such as Simon Cabaret Show tickets for Vietravel customers in direct flights to Phuket.

Thai tourists have paid attention to Vietnam

According to the General Statistics Office, the number of Thai tourists to Vietnam reached 119,739 over the first five months of this year, an increase of 137.7 percent compared to the same period last year. Vietnam is a favorite destination in the eyes of Thai tourists compared to other Asian countries due to its culture and food. Each region in Vietnam has its own specific characteristic, so it has engaged the interests of Thai tourists.

However Thai tourists to Vietnam have been lower compared to other countries because of high transportation costs, especially in plane tickets. Poor infrastructure, relatively complex customs procedures and higher cost of accommodation are also obstacles for Thai tourists to Vietnam.

To attract more Thai tourists, Vietnam needs to persify tourism products, promote the country’s image abroad and organize the fam-trip and press tour programs for Thai travel agencies.

Travel agencies also need to ensure the proper interests of Thai tourists, develop and organize good-quality tours in line with all kinds of customers to create good impression and build the method of working in a professional manner to attract more Thai tourists to Vietnam.

Thuy Duong & Thanh Thanh