Chen Ying, 27, a traveler from Beijing, describes Vietnam as a frequent holiday destination since 2024, visiting twice a year and typically staying three or four days.
“I like coming to Vietnam because of the beautiful beaches and delicious seafood.”
Despite traveling independently, she feels safe in Vietnam at all hours, day or night, she adds.
Figures released by Vietnam’s National Statistics Office on April 3 show there were more than 6.76 million international visitors in the first quarter of 2026, with mainland Chinese accounting for the largest share of 1.4 million.
In 2025 the country received a record 21 million international visitors, including nearly 5.3 million Chinese.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong said strengthening tourism exchanges with China is vital for the long-term development of the industry and achieving higher growth targets.
The two countries share deep cultural and historical ties and landscapes that strengthen tourism appeal.
An extensive system of international border crossings and transport connectivity covering roads, rail, air, and sea make travel between the two countries extremely convenient.
They share a 1,450-kilometer land border while airlines from the two countries link their major cities, with flight times typically ranging between two and five hours. There are also charter services to smaller destinations.
Travel industry representatives also point to their close diplomatic relations and cultural affinity.
Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of Hanoi-based tour operator AZA Travel, said active tourism promotion campaigns have played a role in sustaining Chinese visitor flows.
Low travel costs are another draw. In China, tourists often choose Hainan Island for beach holidays, but Da Nang is only one hour farther as the crow flies and the costs are comparable.
So Chinese travelers increasingly opt for Vietnamese beach destinations.
Inside Vietnam, travel is fairly cheap, especially considering the quality of services, making the country popular especially with budget and middle-class tourists.
“The cost of traveling to Da Nang is sometimes even cheaper than to Hainan,” Chen says.
A group of Chinese tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by Daisy Tran |
Chinese tourists are generally considered high-spending visitors, particularly on food, spa services and certain retail products, Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, which operates The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne resorts, says.
They especially value Vietnam’s fresh seafood, authentic local experiences and well-designed, comfortable accommodation, he says.
Industry insiders say that encouraging higher spending by Chinese tourists has become a key priority for Vietnam’s tourism industry.
To attract more well-heeled Chinese travelers, Pham Hai Quynh, director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute, says the industry should switch from a model focused on “large tour groups” to one emphasizing “specialized services,” with greater investments in personalized offerings such as wellness retreats, golf tourism and curated cultural experiences.
Vietnam also needs to simplify entry procedures and increase commercial and charter flights, he says.
Creating duty-free luxury shopping ecosystems and all-night entertainment centers will encourage them to spend more and extend their stays in Vietnam, he says.
In the context of global tourism facing challenges like conflicts, natural disasters and tariff barriers, he says the tourism ministry has identified market diversification as a key strategy.
Vietnam is currently focusing on Northeast Asia (China, Japan South Korea) and Southeast Asia and promising markets such as Russia and India.
The Chinese market has untapped potential considering the bilateral political, economic and cultural ties, he adds.
An opportunity for breakthroughs will arise during the visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to China from April 14 to 17.
To seize it, the ministry has provided strategic guidance to implement points made in the Joint Statement between the two countries, which is expected to act as a catalyst for transforming the tourism sector, strengthening comprehensive cooperation and growing Vietnam’s economy.
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