Vietnam

The Vietnamese Consul General in Mumbai mentioned the potential for new visa policies for visitors from India and other countries to Vietnam

On 19 Feb, Vietnam's National Assembly approved the investment policy for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway project, valued at over $8 billion USD, with 455 out of 459 votes in favour. The railway will span 390.9 km, connecting Lao Cai Province bordering China, to Hanoi and Lach Huyen International Port in Hai Phong. The project will require around 2,632 hectares of land, and an estimated 19,136 people will need to be relocated to facilitate construction

According to statistics, in 2024: - Da Nang welcomed 222,000 Indian tourists, representing 5.3% of its international visitors - Nearly half of the 501,427 Indian tourists to Vietnam in 2024 chose Da Nang as their main destination - Indian arrivals to Da Nang have grown by over 13.5 times compared to 2019

Da Lat was a top destination during the 9-day Tet holidays (25 Jan-2 Feb), attracting most of the 380,000 visitors to Lam Dong Province, surpassing Khanh Hoa Province with 250,000 visitors. Despite higher visitor numbers, Lam Dong earned $29.5 million USD from tourism, only 60% of Khanh Hoa's $51 million USD. According to a lecturer at the HCMC University of Economics and Finance, the average spending per visitor in Da Lat is around $79 USD per day, 50% of the amount that they spend in other destinations. Tour prices are $20 USD less than Nha Trang or Phan Thiet

On 18 Feb, in the 15th National Assembly (NA)’s Extraordinary Sessions: - 2 new NA Vice Chairmen were elected, including Le Minh Hoan (Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development), and Vu Hong Thanh (Chairman of the NA's Economic Committee) - 2 new Deputy Prime Ministers for 2021–2026 term were also elected, including Mai Van Chinh (Head of the Central Mass Mobilisation Commission), and Nguyen Chi Dung (Minister of Planning and Investment) On the same day, 2 new resolutions on the organisational structure of the Government were also released, specifying the new government, comprising 25 members, 14 ministers, and 3 leaders of ministerial-level agencies. On 19 Feb, the National Assembly will vote to approve several resolutions, including: - Investment policy for the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway project, the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project - Special mechanisms for developing metro networks in Hanoi and HCMC - Charter capital increase for the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) for 2024–2026

Da Nang’s Department of Tourism and Vietjet Air hosted a tourism promotion programme in Ahmedabad. The event included business networking, a film on Da Nang's tourism offerings, and updates on the Ahmedabad-Da Nang direct flight. 21 Vietnamese companies showcased new tourism products tailored for Indian visitors

6-seat and larger buses dominated Hanoi’s Old Quarter roads during peak hours, causing significant congestion and disrupting traffic flow. Buses often occupy zebra crossings and park without order, with limited enforcement by authorities. Congestion reduced access to local businesses, with fewer visitors to restaurants due to a lack of parking. The Hanoi People's Committee approved a proposal to ban 16-seat buses from the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake during peak hours, from 6:30-8:30 a.m. and from 4:30–6:30 p.m., starting in Mar

The Taiwanese Interior Ministry listed Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos as high-risk destinations due to incidents involving scam gangs. Travellers to the five countries will now see a warning on their plane tickets, and will be advised to download a travel safety application

According to Vietnam Airlines, in 2024, Vietnam welcomed around 135,000 visitors from Scandinavia and Nordic countries, ranking as the fifth most-visited Southeast Asian country in the region

On 14 Feb, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism met with the Mayor of Fukushima City. Both sides aim to increase artistic exchanges, including performances by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra in Fukushima and other Vietnamese localities. The Deputy Minister proposed easing visa policies for Vietnamese tourists to Japan, including issuing long-term visas (5-10 years). Both sides will work to simplify travel procedures, promote passenger exchanges, and encourage airlines to increase flight frequencies and open new direct routes

According to the Transport Minister, Vietnam plans to secure loans from the Chinese government to help partly fund its $8.3 billion USD railway project linking the 2 countries. He added that the 391-kilometre railway will connect Lao Cai, Ha Noi, and Hai Phong, with construction expected to begin in 2025 and conclude by 2030

Data from Booking.com on destination searches by Vietnamese travellers for the Valentine period (14-16 Feb) indicated that: - Da Nang was the most searched destination, with +62% YoY in interest - HCMC and Phu Quoc experienced 80% and 57% rise in searches respectively - Da Lat remained a popular destination for this period - Popular experiences include tours to Cu Chi tunnels, Thang Long water puppet show, and Han river cruise

According to the provincial Department of Tourism, 2 American millionaires landed at Van Don International Airport on 11 Feb for a luxury tour and to explore investment opportunities in Quang Ninh province. During their 3-day trip, they will visit Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, with activities including kayaking, staying overnight on the Heritage Line - Violet cruise ship, and visiting Vung Vieng fishing village. On 16 Oct 2024, the Provincial People’s Committee issued a document with guidelines and documents to target millionaires and billionaires. From Nov 2024 - Mar 2025, 4 groups of affluent tourists from the U.S., Canada, and Germany are expected to visit the province

The Minister of Planning and Investment said that Vietnam planned to revise its GDP growth target for 2025 to 8.0%, up from the current target of 6.5%-7.0%. Imports and exports are expected to grow by 12%, with a projected trade surplus of $30 billion USD. Foreign investment inflows are forecasted to reach $28 billion USD, while domestic retail sales are projected to rise by 12%. He added that inflation is expected to range between 4.5%-5.0% in 2025

From 9-11 Feb 2024, Vietnam participated in the International Tourism Exchange (BIT) Milan for the first time. The Vietnam Cultural and Tourism Association in Europe, 9 businesses and Vietnam Airlines organised 2 booths, showcasing sustainable tourism products, cultural experience tours, heritage sites, and community-based tourism. Vietnam Airlines plans to launch a direct air route to Italy in Jul 2024

In Jan 2024, Vietnam welcomed 44,900 international cruise passengers. According to the Deputy Director of Saigontourist, the company received 5 international cruise ships in Jan, serving 19,800 passengers. On 6 Feb, the Norwegian Spirit cruise ship brought 2,000 visitors to Khanh Hoa, where 28 cruise ship arrivals brought 57,800 passengers in 2024. However, challenges for cruise tourism are infrastructure gaps, workforce shortages, limited promotional efforts, lengthy customs and quarantine procedures

The Phu Quoc International Passenger Port is being constructed in Duong Dong Ward, spanning 180 hectares, with 2.8 hectares on land. The project has a budget of over $69 million USD, scheduled for completion in 2025. Once operational, the port will accommodate 5-star cruise ships with 3,000–4,000 tourists. On 14 Feb, an international cruise ship with around 2,000 foreign tourists will dock at this port. The People's Committee of Phu Quoc announced that local authorities are finalising procedures and meeting international standards for receiving the cruise ship

In a draft for a resolution on science, technology and innovation policies by the Ministry of Science and Technology, foreign experts entering Vietnam for special scientific missions of less than 3 months would not require work permits. Foreign nationals, experts, and investors supporting Vietnamese startups could be granted 2-year visas, with options to extend. The draft resolution will be presented to the National Assembly during its meeting from 12-18 Feb

China introduced a visa-free policy for tour groups from ASEAN countries visiting Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province, bordering Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. The policy is applied to holders of ordinary passports, organised by Chinese travel agencies, for stays of up to 6 days, effecting on 10 Feb. Tour groups can enter via Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway Port, and Mohan Land Port

Ca Mau launched the "Ca Mau - Travel Destination 2025" project to boost tourism, with a focus on cultural, sports, and economic events. Major events and festivals include the fish worshipping ceremony (13-15 Mar), the worshipping rituals of the Hung Kings (6-7 Apr), the Ca Mau Southern traditional cake festival (5-12 Apr), the “Scent of U Minh Forest” Festival, and other fishing and cultural activities. The province targets to welcome over 1 million visitors by the end of 2025, including 6,000 international tourists

In Jan 2024, Kien Giang province welcomed over 897,160 visitors, including 126,175 foreign tourists, achieving 8.4% of its annual target. Tourism revenue totalled over $123 million USD, reaching 10.4% of the annual target. In this month, Phu Quoc welcomed over 611,770 visitors, including 124,854 international travellers, generating around $100 million USD in revenue

In 2024, the Cham Islands welcomed nearly 220,000 tourists, +14% YoY, with peak days welcoming 3,000-4,000 visitors. The Cham Islands Marine Protected Area management board was assigned to develop a plan encouraging tourists to take their waste back to the mainland to reduce environmental impact, expected to be implemented in 2025. Currently, the islands have a waste incineration plant, but its capacity may soon be exceeded due to rising visitor numbers

On 7 Feb, Phu Quoc Express JSC resumed the Vung Tau-Con Dao high-speed ferry service after the service was halted in Sep 2024 due to bad weather, carrying nearly 500 passengers from Vung Tau to Con Dao

During the Lunar New Year, total retail sales and consumer service revenue from HCMC’s residents reached $4.3 billion USD, +7.5% YoY. Tourism revenue reached $307 million USD, +17.4% YoY, while the number of foreign tourists during this period reached 87,358, +16.5% YoY. According to the Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, in Jan 2025: - Retail goods sales reached 53.7 trillion VND, +11.5% YoY - Accommodation and food service revenue reached 12.8 trillion VND, +21.6% YoY - Travel service revenue reached 2.6 trillion VND, +17% YoY - Consumer Price Index (CPI) was +0.92% MoM and +4.29% YoY - Tourism revenue reached 18.3 trillion VND, +42.6% YoY

Vietnam welcomed 2.07 million foreign tourists in Jan 2025, +36.9% YoY. According to the General Statistics Office: - Mainland China was the largest source of visitors with 575,000 arrivals, +237% YoY - South Korea was second-largest market with 417,000 arrivals - Cambodia was the third-largest market with 100,000 arrivals - The U.S. ranked fourth with 92,000 visitors - Taiwan ranked fifth with 91,000 visitors - Other key markets include Japan, Australia, India, Malaysia, and Russia, with 72,000, 66,000, 48,000, 42,935, and 42,515 visitors respectively - Da Nang and Phu Quoc saw a decline in South Korean tourist numbers, put down to growing fears of flying after the Jeju Air crash

According to the data from the ASEAN Secretariat: - Vietnam welcomed 17.6 million international visitors in 2024, a 98% recovery rate compared to 2019 - Vietnam ranked third in Southeast Asia for international visitor numbers in 2024, behind Thailand (35 million) and Malaysia (24.5 million), but ahead of Singapore (16.5 million), Indonesia (14 million), and the Philippines (6 million) - Agoda showed that in 2024, the number of tourists from South Korea to Vietnam was +94% YoY, while from Taiwan was +123% YoY - In 2025, Phu Quoc’s accommodation searches are expected to be +266% YoY

From 14-16 Feb 2025, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism will host a series of activities in Son Tay District to celebrate the Lunar New Year, with the participation of around 200 representatives from 28 ethnic communities across 14 provinces. Key activities include art performances, cultural heritage displays, and interactive activities

According to the Minister of Transport, the Ministry is preparing a resolution to guide ministries, sectors, and localities in completing specific tasks to enable the construction of the North-South high-speed railway project to begin by late 2027. Key tasks include drafting legal documents for special mechanisms and policies; submitting an investment proposal for the Prime Minister’s approval; and selecting contractors, conducting surveys, and preparing materials. From 2025, localities will manage compensation, resettlement, and power infrastructure relocation, targeting completion by 2027 to provide cleared land for construction

According to a government’s statement released on 5 Feb, in Jan 2025: - Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) was +3.63% YoY - Industrial production was +0.6% YoY - Retail sales were +9.5% YoY - Trade surplus was recorded at $1.23 billion USD

From 25 Jan-2 Feb, An Giang province welcomed 771,000 visitors (+0.4% YoY), including 1,600 foreigners. During this period, Bac Lieu province welcomed 245,000 visitors, including 20,450 overnight guests, with total tourism revenue reaching $3.95 million USD. Vinh Long province welcomed 75,000 visitors, including 1,000 foreigners, with tourism revenue of $1.5 million USD

According to the latest report by the HCMC’s Statistics Office: - Land compensation and clearance for 11-km Metro line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong) are 100% completed, with 99% of the land ready for construction. Funding sources for the project changed from ODA loans to the state budget, delaying the earliest groundbreaking to 2026 - The component project 1 of the ring road 3 is 30% complete, with land clearance of the component project 2 reaching 99.8% completion - The Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminal T3 is 85% complete, scheduled for completion and operation by 30 Apr

According to the announcement of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, workers will have 5 days off from 30 Apr - 4 May for the Victory Day and International Labour Day 2025. The working day of 2 May will be shifted to 26 Apr to accommodate this. For the National Day 2025, officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers will have 4 days off from 30 Aug - 2 Sep

From 8-13 Feb, Bac Giang province will host the Bac Giang Culture-Tourism Week and the Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival. Main activities include the procession of the Tam To Truc Lam tablets, exhibitions, performances, and photography displays. The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda has been refurbished to display 3,050 UNESCO-recognised printing woodblocks of Buddhist scriptures

According to a report by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the 9-day Lunar New Year 2025 holiday: - Vietnam welcomed around 12.5 million domestic tourists, +19% YoY - The number of international tourists was +30% YoY - HCMC welcomed 2.1 million visitors, with revenue of $304 million USD, +17.4% YoY - Hanoi welcomed around 1 million visitors, with revenue of $303.7 million USD, +7.85% YoY. The number of international tourists reached 142,000, +15.8% YoY, with key markets included China, South Korea, Taiwan, the U.S., the U.K., Malaysia, India, Germany, France, and Japan - Quang Ninh welcomed 969,000 visitors, with revenue of $105 million USD - Ba Ria - Vung Tau welcomed 869,433 visitors - Khanh Hoa welcomed 825,195 visitors, with revenue of $53.3 million USD, +41% YoY - Tourism revenue of Da Nang, Lao Cai, Kien Giang and Ninh Binh reached $74.2 million USD, $52.9 million USD (+49% YoY), $74.2 million USD (+50% YoY), and $39.4 million USD (+20% YoY) respectively - Da Nang welcomed 1,800 international passengers arrived on cruise ships, Quang Ninh hosted 6,000 passengers and 4,000 crew members - Room occupancy rates in Sa Pa, Kien Giang, HCMC, Hue, Phu Yen, Da Nang reached 90-95%, 73.4%, 65%, 63%, 62%, and 50% respectively - Hotel room rates were +5-10% YoY - Railway tours became popular during the holiday, including routes connecting Hanoi - Lao Cai, Quang Binh, HCMC - Nha Trang, Hue - Da Nang

On 2 Jan, the Phap Van–Cau Gie Expressway and Ring Road 3, connecting Hanoi to Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh provinces, faced heavy congestion, with traffic jams stretching nearly 2km, due to crowds of vehicle flooding to the capital city after the New Year holiday. In HCMC, Cat Lai Ferry Terminal saw congestion extending over 3 km on Ly Thai To street, with around 70,000 passengers, double the usual post-Tet count. Mekong Delta traffic caused 1 km of congestion on National Highway 1A from 5pm. The Cam Lam–Vinh Hao section of Nha Trang to HCMC expressway had a 4 km jam due to a tunnel bottleneck. The Phan Thiet - Dau Giay Expressway in Binh Thuan Province also saw 10 km of congestion worsened by a minor collision

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, HCMC welcomed 87,360 international visitors during the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday, +16.5% YoY, with tourism revenue reaching around $306.6 million USD, +17.4% YoY. Hotel occupancy rates were +44.4% YoY. New trends include travelling by car to destinations connected to HCMC via expressways, travelling in small groups, and opting for premium vacation tours. A representative from a local travel firm said that high-end leisure tourism products (combining wellness, fitness, meditation, and Tet cultural experiences) saw significant demand

In 2024, Khanh Hoa welcomed over 10.6 million visitors, +45.5% YoY, including over 4.5 million international visitors, +89.3% YoY. Total tourism revenue reached $2.06 billion USD, +53.9% YoY. The province aimed to attract 11.8 million visitors in 2025, including 5.2 million international tourists, with tourism revenue expected at 60 trillion VND

From 3 Feb-1 May 2025, the Huong Pagoda Festival - Vietnam's longest festival - will be held at the Huong Son Landscape Complex in My Duc District in Hanoi, featuring Buddhist rituals and traditional cultural activities. The Head of the Organising Committee noted that scenic entrance and boat tickets will be integrated for convenience. Nearly 4,000 boats are prepared to transport visitors

According to a Booking.com’s study on Vietnamese behavior: - 44% of Vietnamese travellers prefer spending on family trips over leaving inheritance for their children - 52% of Vietnamese travellers enjoy creating lasting memories with loved ones - 36% appreciate seeing children learn from various family role models - 74% of Vietnamese travellers said that their parents still pay for their holidays as adults, with 88% of baby boomers willing to fund family trips - According to Agoda’s 2025 Travel Trends survey, family-oriented trips are a key trend, with 39% of Vietnamese travellers planning family vacations in 2025

According to the market research firm Imarc, Vietnam’s wellness tourism sector was valued at $26.4 billion USD in 2024. It is projected to grow by 9.3% in 2025, surpassing the 7.3% global forecast for the wellness tourism industry. A survey conducted by IFM Research in Nov 2024 indicated that at least 80% of Vietnamese surveyed have made health-focused changes, such as exercising, improving diets, or taking supplements. Vietnam, along with China and Japan, is a top-3 Asian nation expected to attract significant investment in wellness tourism, particularly for thermal and mineral spring resorts

75% of tourists visiting Phu Quoc during the New Year holiday are international visitors. According to the Kien Giang Department of Tourism, tourism revenue on 25 Jan 2025 reached $6 million USD. Data from Mustgo showed that 90% of accommodations in Phu Quoc were booked, primarily 4-star and 5-star hotels. The Business Director of Mustgo said that international tourists prefer 5-star services, while medium and small businesses cater mostly to domestic visitors. They primarily spend on accommodations, trips, and meals rather than shopping

On 29 Jan, over 800 U.S. tourists arrived at Da Nang city on the cruise ship Crystal Symphony. On the same date, 500 tourists from Europe and the U.S. arrived at the Ha Long International Passenger Port on the Silver Dawn cruise ship

Ninh Binh introduced diverse tourism products and activities during the 2025 New Year holiday, including rice cake making, calligraphy practice, pottery workshops at the Trang An eco-tourism sites, folk art activities at Hoa Lu old quarter, and herb harvesting and processing activities at Nguyen Saint Temple. Major festivals include Bai Dinh festival, Thai Vi Temple festival, and Trang An festival. Many businesses offered free admission and discounts on various products and services

As part of a large-scale art show for Lunar New Year’s Eve on 28 Jan, 4,050 drones participated in a rehearsal above My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi. During the rehearsal, technical malfunctions caused several drones to crash and catch fire. According to Nam Tu Liem District’s People Committee, no injuries or property damage were made thanks to safety plans

According to the 1/500 planning approved by the HCMC authorities, the Can Gio Marine Tourism-Urban Complex Project will cover a total area of 2,870 hectares, cost nearly $9 billion USD, with the population capacity of nearly 230,000 residents. The project combines 4 subdivisions focusing on ecological residential area with tourism services, resort tourism, social housing, modern urban area, commercial centres, water surface with canals and green spaces. The Can Gio Tourist City Corporation will manage this project, with implementation expected to start in Apr 2025, and completion expected by 2030. It is expected to welcome 8-9 million visitors annually

According to the provincial Department of Tourism, Lao Cai was expected to welcome 360,000 visitors during the 9-day Tet holiday (25 Jan - 2 Feb), +40% YoY, including 13,000 foreign visitors. Tourism revenue was estimated at $51.39 million USD, +43% YoY. Sa Pa town is expected to welcome 130,000 visitors during this time, increasing to 300,000 by the end of Mar. Tourism businesses across Lao Cai reported an accommodation occupancy rate of about 70-75%, with Sa Pa recorded at 90-95%. Lao Cai planned over 80 events for Tet and spring festivals. According to survey results, there is an increasing preference for 3D2N and 4D3N tour packages combining sightseeing, cultural experiences, and relaxation in Lao Cai

According to the statistics from the Institute for Tourism Development Research (ITDR), Vietnam has 2,360 rivers spanning 41,900km, offering potential for river tourism. The Director of ITDR shared that challenges remained in poor waterway infrastructure, lack of dredging in the Mekong Delta, limited transport connectivity, insufficient promotion, lack of branding, and reduced competitiveness compared to countries like Thailand and Cambodia. According to the Deputy Head of HCMC’s Department of Tourism, the city lacks large-scale inland wharves for restaurant and hotel ships. The Head of Tourism Department at Hoa Binh University suggested establishing a Vietnamese river tourism brand rooted in culture, nature, people, and encouraging collaboration between local authorities and travel companies to build tour packages

At the 2025 Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Convention, which took place from 17-21 Jan in Ninh Binh, Threeland Travel - a Southeast Asia-focused destination management company - partnered with TAFI. The company organised pre- and post-familiarisation trips for Indian travel agents to Vietnam's key destinations, including Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, and Hoi An

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, Da Nang city is expected to welcome 456,000 visitors, including over 221,000 international tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday (25 Jan - 2 Feb), +13.5% YoY. Visitors will arrive from countries like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia. The Da Nang International Airport will handle around 1,275 flights. Additionally, 2 cruise ships carrying 800 tourists from the U.S. and UK will visit the city. The city will host several events during the holiday, including firework display, bridge shows, river cruises, flower street, and the 2025 God of Wealth festival

According to a recent survey by The Outbox Company for the New Year holiday: - Vietnamese prioritise domestic trips, and prefer self-organised or “Free & Easy” (F&E) tours, focusing on booking only essential services - Popular trip duration is 3-4 days - 46% of travellers prefer multi-generational family travel, 30% travel with a spouse or partner, and 17% with friends or colleagues - Average travel budgets were +58% YoY, reflecting a demand for premium experiences - Ticket costs are projected to be +10–15% YoY