A wave of promising developments at the start of the year has sparked optimism within Vietnam’s tourism industry, with experts forecasting a thriving season ahead. One of the most significant indicators of recovery is the return of Russian tourists, a key market that had been largely absent for the past three years. In March alone, 12 charter flights are set to bring Russian visitors to Nha Trang, a beach city in the southern province of Khanh Hoa.
The frequency of flights is expected to rise to 50-55 per month between April and June, and could soar to 90-100 flights per month starting in July. Russia has long been a vital source of tourism for Khanh Hoa, but direct flights were suspended in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Russian travelers had to transit through China or Kazakhstan, making the journey less appealing. The revival of direct flights is now breathing new life into the region, boosting shopping, dining, and entertainment offerings in Nha Trang and nearby areas.
Further propelling the sector, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recently announced plans for the creation of free trade zones (FTZs) in Da Nang and Can Gio district in Ho Chi Minh City. Additionally, the People’s Committee of Long Thanh district in Dong Nai province has proposed establishing an FTZ near the Long Thanh International Airport and Phuoc An port. The upcoming completion of the North-South expressway is also expected to improve road travel, making it easier for tourists to access key destinations.
Cruise tourism has experienced significant growth this year, with leading operators bringing tens of thousands of passengers to renowned destinations such as Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector is also flourishing, particularly with large corporate events hosted by prominent Indian companies. Moreover, Vietnam has become a favored location for extravagant weddings, with several high-profile ceremonies taking place in stunning settings like Ha Long Bay and Phu Quoc.
In 2024, the tourism industry generated an impressive 840 trillion VND (32.96 billion USD) in revenue, marking a significant increase of 85 trillion VND from 2019, the year before the pandemic.
Vietnam’s tourism sector has made a full recovery, with ambitious goals set for 2025, aiming to attract 22-23 million international visitors and 120-130 million domestic tourists, while generating total revenue ranging from 980 trillion to 1.05 quadrillion VND.
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