The action programme was introduced at a conference in Hanoi on September 18 by VITA.

To accelerate the growth of international tourist arrivals, VITA Chairman Vu The Binh Vu The Binh said two key solutions must be prioritised to quickly increase international arrivals.

Accordingly, digital communication and promotion should be intensified across online platforms, focusing on priority and emerging markets. Direct promotion with travel companies in key source markets should be expanded through familiarisation trips (FAM Trips), enabling international partners to experience new tourism products and attractive services first-hand, and to promptly bring visitors to Vietnam in 2025 and beyond.

These solutions target two groups simultaneously: independent travellers and registered tour groups, as well as the client bases of international travel agencies. After experiencing Vietnam’s new offerings during FAM trips, overseas tour operators are expected to inspire their customers and organise group tours to the country.

As scheduled, VITA plans to welcome 300–400 executives from major travel companies in Vietnam’s key tourism markets to explore local tourism products and resources, and to engage in B2B meetings with Vietnamese businesses to develop tailor-made tours for each market.

The first delegations under the programme are expected to arrive on September 24, with the participation of 50 representatives from travel companies in the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan (China), and Indonesia. They will survey tourism destinations in Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and conduct business exchanges with Vietnamese enterprises at the MICE EXPO 2025 in Hanoi.

Subsequent delegations will explore Ninh Binh–Thanh Hoa, Da Nang–Hue, the Northwest, and the Mekong Delta.

VITA also recommended that localities hosting international travel delegations on this occasion promptly develop and select new, unique tourism products and services tailored to international visitors, with close attention to the characteristics of each source market.

In addition, local tourism businesses are encouraged to prepare and proactively introduce the most suitable products for each delegation, in line with different market segments.

Among the potential markets expected to record the fastest growth in tourist numbers are RoK and China, which together account for more than 45% of Vietnam’s total international arrivals.

Japan, Taiwan (China), and ASEAN markets, particularly Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, also hold significant growth potential. Furthermore, the Russian, Western European, Eastern European, and Northern European markets, especially countries granted visa exemptions by Vietnam, should be further tapped with thorough preparation and collaboration with airlines.

Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia – Vietnam’s key tourism markets

VOV.VN - The Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia (ASEAN) regions have been identified as key markets in Vietnam’s tourism strategy to achieve its ambitious goal of welcoming 25 million international visitors in 2025, heard a national travel conference held recently in Ho Chi Minh City.