Vietnam’s tourism appeal continues to grow
DNO - Vietnam’s tourism sector is gaining momentum, with nearly 16 million international visitors recorded in the first eight months of the year.
Impressive growth figures
According to data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Vietnam welcomed nearly 16 million international visitors in the first eight months of the year, up 14.4% year-on-year and representing 63.6% of the annual target.
Notably, in addition to the continued leading role of nearby Asian markets, Vietnam’s tourism sector has recorded significant growth in long-haul markets with high spending levels.
Russia, for example, saw arrivals surge by 165.7%, while Europe increased by 53.4%, the Americas by 20.7% and Australia by 23.3%.
The diversification of source markets not only demonstrates the growing appeal of Vietnam’s tourism, but also creates opportunities for the country to attract more high-quality visitors.
Recent statistics from reputable tourism platforms and organizations show that international visitors are increasingly less interested in itineraries focused simply on taking photos and making quick visits to famous landmarks.
Instead, they want to explore history and culture and engage with local communities.
Travelers are also increasingly comparing multiple destinations before making decisions, taking into account factors such as safety, costs, the ability to refund or change services, flight stability and overall travel convenience.
Consequently, in an effort to attract international visitors, particularly those from high-quality segments, Vietnam cannot compete solely on natural assets or service prices.
The country must compete through the overall experience from the convenience of entry procedures and flight connectivity to consistent infrastructure quality, price transparency, destination appeal, and the capacity to handle unexpected situations.
Focus on developing specialized visitor segments
Many tourism experts stress the need for Vietnam’s tourism industry to develop specialized visitor segments, including air travelers, MICE tourists, cruise passengers, long-stay vacationers, families and small groups, as well as visitors interested in culture, ecology and wellness.
One of the key factors in attracting high-quality international visitors to Vietnam is closer coordination and connectivity among airlines, travel companies and destinations.
To enhance the effectiveness of attracting more international visitors, Vietnam needs establish regular and coordinated cooperation mechanisms.
Also, the country should prioritize promotional resources for markets capable of supporting direct flight routes and promising new markets.
Public-private partnership models are also encouraged, whilst the role of businesses in promoting the country’s image to the world are leveraged.
Notably, stronger and more substantive connectivity is also considered as the “key” for the tourism industry to expand markets and enhance its appeal and competitiveness in the race for a greater share of the global tourism market.