Vietnam Eyes 250,000 Chinese Visitors During Golden Week

Vietnam is setting an ambitious target to attract 250,000 Chinese tourists during the upcoming Golden Week national holiday, which runs from October 1-7. This goal reflects the anticipated recovery of the tourism market in Southeast Asia, particularly the resurgence of the Chinese market. Following Thailand's tourism authority's forecast of 11.5 billion baht (approximately $350 million) in revenue from Chinese tourists during the same period, a 37% year-on-year increase, Vietnam is also looking to capitalize on similar opportunities. Chinese tourists are expected to extend their stays this year, with average trip durations projected to increase from about eight days to 13 days, as travelers combine the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays. Advance bookings for trips to Vietnam in October have risen by 16%, while searches for flights from China to Vietnam are up by 24%. Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Chongqing are among the leading departure cities. An increase in direct flights from China to Vietnam, including services to major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, is also expected to improve convenience and help spread visitors beyond the country's main destinations. The Vietnamese Dong (VND) has weakened by approximately 9.8% against the Chinese Yuan, making Vietnam's price competitiveness stronger for Chinese travelers at around 4.93 VND per Yuan. Vietnam had initially targeted six million Chinese visitors for the year, but revised this figure down to 5.1 million in August. Achieving the target for the Golden Week period would be a significant indicator for Vietnam's tourism sector. Under its one-party system, Vietnam prioritizes the tourism industry as a key pillar of economic growth, with the government actively promoting the attraction of foreign visitors to generate foreign exchange and create jobs. China, due to its geographical proximity and large market size, is one of Vietnam's most crucial tourism markets. However, past concerns about over-reliance on Chinese tourists have also been raised, prompting the government to simultaneously pursue diversification of tourism markets. Source: VnExpress International