Over 200,000 Vietnamese visited Japan in the first 10 months of this year, up 30 per cent year-on-year, Akihiko Tamura of the Japan Tourism Agency said at a recent meeting with 30 Vietnamese travel agencies.

The growth can be attributed to new and simpler visa procedures for tourists, while Japanese travel companies have begun to turn their sights on the Vietnamese market, he said.

Keiji Yoshida, CEO of Asia Investment & Travel Company, said many outbound tour operators in Việt Nam are increasingly focused on promoting Japan.

More direct flights from Việt Nam to Japan are making it more convenient for visitors, he added.

Representatives of the Vietnamese travel agencies sought new destination partners in Japan to organise more tours for Vietnamese travellers who visit Japan and vice versa.