Talking numbers

Vietnam received nearly 5.6 million international tourists in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of 9.3 times. Compared with the same period in 2019, the year there was no Covid-19 epidemic, this figure is only 65.7%; however, it is still an optimistic figure, because, in only half a year, Vietnam's tourism industry has reached 70% of the target of receiving 8 million international tourists in 2023.

Da Nang International Fireworks Festival is one of the bright spots of Vietnam tourism in the first half of the year

Among international tourists to Vietnam, South Korea led with over 1.6 million arrivals, an increase of 1,485% year-on-year. Due to its unique tourism products, Da Nang is the preferred destination for Korean tourists.

According to data from Google's Destination Insights travel trend tracker, the search volume for Vietnamese tourism has been continuously increasing since the beginning of 2023. Vietnam ranks near the top of the world, rising from 11th to sixth position, becoming the only destination in Southeast Asia that belongs to this group. Destinations rich in experience and diversified in tourism products such as Quang Ninh, Sa Pa, Da Nang and Phu Quoc are in the sights of tourists.

Through in-depth efforts to develop, Vietnam's tourism industry has achieved some positive results in income growth. According to data of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the World Tourism Organization over 10 years (2010-2019), the tourism income from international tourists increased from USD4.4 billion in 2010 to nearly USD18 billion in 2019. In 2010, the average spending per international tourist exceeded USD880, an increase of USD1,200 in 2019. The key to attracting tourists and increasing tourism revenue lies in unique tourism products in multiple destinations.

Tourists have fun at the Japanese garden on Ba Deo Hill, Ha Long

The secret of attracting tourists to stay for a long time and spend more

The list of the nine destinations with tourism revenue of over VND10 trillion in the first six months of the year shows that they are all experienced destinations with diverse tourism products, meeting all the needs of resort - entertainment - shopping of tourists.

Excluding Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the two largest cities in the country, Quang Ninh Province ranked third with total revenue of VND16.7 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 56%. In the first half of the year, Quang Ninh received 8.86 million tourists, a year-on-year increase of 61%. With this momentum, Quang Ninh is expected to exceed its target of receiving 15 million tourists in 2023.

Just look at the diversified tourism product chain of this province from sea and island tourism, spiritual tourism, to healthcare tourism, etc. It is easy to understand why Quang Ninh attracts so many tourists. Tourists can vacation at comfortable resorts in Ha Long, such as Premier Village Ha Long Bay, enjoy a whole day of fun in the Sun World Complex, discover miniature Japan on Ba Deo Hill, and more. At night, the commercial street along the Bai Chay Beach route will satisfy the tourists' shopping demand while enjoying delicious food.

Going a little further, tourists will experience hot mineral baths at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh (Cam Pha) or travel in the border city of Mong Cai along the modern Van Don - Mong Cai highway. Quang Ninh Province's tourism industry is continuously upgrading through attractive tourism products and synchronized transport infrastructure invested in by Sun Group. In 2016, Quang Ninh received 8.3 million tourists. By 2019, when the mature tourism ecosystem of Sun Group was completed, this number had almost doubled to 14 million.

Sam Son Beach is crowded with tourists in the summer of 2023

Ranked second only to Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa has received more than 8.3 million arrivals in the past six months, of which Sam Son alone received 5.3 million arrivals. This growth is due to new projects, such as Sea Square, Festival Landscape Axis, and high-quality water music performances invested in by Sun Group.

Among the destinations with tourism revenue of more than VND10 trillion, Lao Cai and Da Nang are also full of vitality. These places have intensive activities and large-scale festivals constantly held.

The Path to See Azaleas Blooming at Sun World Fansipan Legend

Sapa (Lao Cai) attracts tourists with the largest ever Rose Festival and hosts activities with highland characteristics, such as Horseshoe in the Clouds or unique products such as Ethnic Cultural Space, etc. The International Fireworks Festival, which lasts for over a month in the summer, created a breakthrough for Da Nang's tourism industry.

According to statistics, during the International Fireworks Festival alone, the number of tourists is estimated at more than 942,000 arrivals, an increase of 29% compared to the fireworks festival in 2019, when Da Nang tourism peaked. All service sectors such as restaurants, hotels and airlines benefited from this event.

The advantage of the existing platform in the city is the well-formed tourism product system invested in by Sun Group, ranging from luxury resorts and hotels to famous entertainment areas such as Sun World Ba Na Hills and Asian Parks. As a result, Da Nang has developed from a transit point in the Central region to become a tourism capital and an event-festival city with an increase of 463% in tourist arrivals over 10 years (from 2009 to 2018).

The Tay Bo Da Son Lady Buddha Statue on Ba Den Mountain. Photo: Minh Tu

It can be said that Tay Ninh is a model for the growth of the tourism industry, thanks to investment in new products and experiences. In 2019, the number of tourists in the province exceeded 2 million. Since 2020, the modern cable car system invested in by Sun Group has been officially opened, and a series of projects and experiences have been carried out in the area of Ba Den Mountain (Black Virgin Mountain), such as the Tay Bo Đa Son Lady Buddha Statue, Buddhist exhibition space and the cluster of five columns carved into the Heart Sutra with Tibetan characters inlaid with gold. Tay Ninh tourism has grown continuously. Only in the first six months of 2023, Tay Ninh received 3.5 million tourists, with a total income of nearly VND145 billion. The tourism industry is becoming a bright spot and makes a significant contribution to Tay Ninh ranking second in economic growth in Southeast Asia.

The secret of attracting tourists to stay for a long time and spend more ultimately lies in the quality, class, and differentiation of new products and experiences added to the destination. In order to achieve these new things, it is clear that the role of investors is crucial.