Vietnam sees surge in int'l tourism, longer stays: Trip.com executive

Vietnam is experiencing a strong wave of international tourism growth, marked by a broader mix of visitor markets and a rising trend of longer vacation stays, according to Ru Yi, assistant vice-president of international markets for the Asia-Pacific region at Trip.com.

Ru noted that Vietnam's international tourist base is expanding and is no longer heavily dependent on just a few traditional source markets.

While Japan, South Korea, and Singapore were once the primary contributors, there is now a notable increase in travelers from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

"Instead of relying on one or two markets, Vietnam is attracting a wider variety of travelers thanks to its diverse destinations and unique experiences," she said.

Providing deeper insight, Ru explained that Singapore and Hong Kong currently have the highest user penetration on the Trip.com platform in the region.

"Since the pandemic, we've partnered with governments in both markets to implement tourism subsidy programs," she said.

"These initiatives have significantly expanded our customer base, making them key markets for Vietnam-bound travel."

Among these, Hong Kong is emerging as a high-potential growth market, with Trip.com data showing increasing interest in Vietnamese destinations and rapid growth in bookings.

Taiwan and Malaysia are also developing into strong second-tier markets, with highly positive trends.

The Taiwanese market, in particular, is showing high-quality growth, not just with more users, but higher spending and greater participation in travel experiences.

A key metric supporting this trend is the increase in the average length of stay, which has grown to 2.7 days from 2.2 days.

According to Ru, this shift reflects a growing appetite among international tourists to spend more time in Vietnam.

Many are opting for extended stays, often bringing family members and engaging more deeply in local activities.

This trend not only benefits hotels and resorts but also boosts spending across the entire tourism ecosystem.

To maintain this momentum, industry stakeholders suggest that Vietnam continue to address policy barriers--especially those related to visa procedures and electronic payments--to streamline the travel experience for international visitors.

Tourism businesses remain optimistic about Vietnam's outlook in 2025, predicting that global trade tensions will have minimal impact on travel demand.

In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam welcomed over six million international arrivals, which is the highest figure recorded in recent years.

If the current trend continues, the country could be on track for a record-breaking year in international tourism.

Thanh Ha - Hai Kim / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/05/01-17:36)