Promising year ahead for foreign tourist attraction

The cruise ship Anthem of the Seas from Bahamas, operated by Royal Caribbean, arrives at Chan May Port, Hue, carrying 4,455 tourists - photo: Do Truong/VNA

Positive signs

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), many localities have received a large influx of international visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday. Da Nang welcomed 228,000 arrivals, up 29 percent year-on-year, while Quang Nam attracted 157,000 visitors, up 40 percent, Hanoi lured 142,000 arrivals, a 15.8-percent rise, and Ho Chi Minh City received 87,358 visitors, up 16.5 percent.

Several localities with international ports organized special receptions for cruise tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday. Da Nang welcomed the Crystal Symphony and Silver Dawn cruise ships, bringing 1,800 visitors from the US and the UK to explore the city’s attractions. Meanwhile, Quang Ninh received four cruise ships – Mediteranea, Celebrity Solstice, Silver Dawn, and Crystal Symphony, bringing a total of 6,000 passengers and 4,000 crew-members for a festive New Year visit. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism has recognized these early-year cruise tourism activities as a promising sign for a strong year ahead in international visitor attraction.

The increase in the number of foreign visitors is attributed to favorable visa policies, a strategic realignment of target tourism markets, and the dedicated efforts of businesses and localities in refreshing tourism products and promoting destinations. To meet the demands of international travelers, tour operators have actively developed new products, emphasizing regional strengths and fostering a “one journey, multiple destinations” approach. They have also diversified services to enhance visitor experiences.

Food and entertainment service providers, as well as accommodation facilities, have introduced various promotional programs and special offers. Some 4-5 star hotels have offered unique experiences to bring joy to guests during Vietnam’s traditional Tet holiday. These activities include New Year’s Eve celebrations, introductions to traditional Tet cuisine, workshops on making Banh Chung (square sticky rice cake), calligraphy writing, toy figurine sculpting, and discounts on bar and spa services.

International tourists from Poland make the first tourist arrivals of the Lunar New Year in Khanh Hoa Province - photo: Xuan Thanh

Laying foundation for growth in 2025

In 2025, Vietnam aims to welcome 22-23 million international tourists. Favorable visa and immigration policies will serve as a driving force to help the tourism industry achieve this goal.

However, the path to success will not be without challenges, as competition among destinations is becoming increasingly fierce, and travel trends are evolving. According to Pham Hai Quynh, Director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute, Vietnam’s tourism sector must continuously develop new tourism products, improve service quality, and strengthen tourism promotion and marketing efforts. Additionally, further loosening visa policies will enhance the country’s attractiveness as a travel destination.

To reach the target of attracting international visitors in 2025, the tourism industry will explore bold and innovative solutions, swiftly establish a smart tourism ecosystem linked with comprehensive digital transformation, and launch a movement promoting “Professional service, attentive hospitality, courteous behavior, and a green, clean environment.”

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, following the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake, the industry will continue to enhance tourism management and promotion efforts. This includes advising relevant authorities on summarizing eight years of implementing Resolution No.08 of the Politburo, which focuses on developing tourism into a key economic sector.

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism will also advise the leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in submitting a proposal to the Government and the National Assembly for amending the Law on Tourism. Additionally, it will continue working closely with localities to create the most favorable conditions for tourism development, intensify tourism promotion efforts, especially in key markets, and address existing limitations and challenges to accelerate the industry’s growth in the coming period./.