Vietnam welcomes back Chinese tourists

Unlocking the market

In response to the Chinese Government’s announcement, deputy spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang noted that tourism is an important field of cooperation between Vietnam and China.

Chinese travelers spent US$225 billion in 2019, accounting for almost 20 percent of all international tourism spending. China is Vietnam’s largest tourism market, both in terms of the number of visitors to Vietnam as well as Vietnamese tourists to China.

Nha Trang, favorite destination of Chinese tourists

Cao Tri Dung, Chair of the Da Nang Tourism Association, said Vietnam has been preparing to welcome Chinese tourists since they were allowed to go abroad in early 2023. Director of Van Hai Xanh Travel Pham Hai Quynh said the vibrant Chinese tourist market is a great opportunity for Vietnam to increase its volume of international visitors.

The chair of the Mong Cai City People’s Committee (Quang Ninh Province) Ho Quang Huy said that the city has its services and accommodation facilities ready to welcome back Chinese guests. Meanwhile, Deputy Chair of the Nha Trang Tourism Association (Khanh Hoa Province) Pham Minh Nhut said the province had been making preparations to welcome international tourists, including the Chinese, from the moment Vietnam reopened international tourism last year.

Providing more tourist experiences

Compared with other countries in the region, Vietnam still lags in terms of market information to attract tourists. Dang Manh Phuoc, director of Outbox Consulting, a research and development consultation company for tourism, has recommended creating more attractive products to draw Chinese tourists. Meanwhile, according to Tran Nguyen, Deputy General Director of Sun World Group, the return of Chinese tourists will be an opportunity for Vietnam's tourism to welcome its market share of high-paying Chinese tourists. However, it must focus on increasing services and product quality and providing tourists with more experiences.

Vietnam is ready to welcome back Chinese tourists

Vietnam Tourism Association Chair Vu The Binh stressed the need for urgent solutions to lure Chinese tourists, including promotion of new products and training human resources suitable for Chinese tourists. “We need to prepare early to effectively exploit the Chinese traveler market, solve problems such as the offer of fraudulent cheap tours, use of foreign guides, and fraud in buying and selling goods,” Binh emphasized.

According to a recent HSBC report on Vietnam’s economic outlook, despite spending less than European and American tourists, Chinese tourists still spend more and stay in Vietnam longer than most Asian tourists. With a large proportion of Chinese tourists (30 percent), Vietnam can be a major beneficiary in the region, after Thailand. However, experts at HSBC forecast if flight restrictions can be resolved and visa requirements are further eased, the return rate of Chinese tourists will reach 50 to 80 percent of pre-epidemic levels (3 to 4.5 million).