Vietnam welcomes the first Chinese visitors in tour group post the Covid-19

Update: 17/03/2023
(TITC) - On 15th March 2023, at Huu Nghi Border Gate, Lang Son Province (Vietnam), Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee and relevant units organised a welcome ceremony for the first Chinese tourist group to Vietnam right after China resumes international tourism in tour groups to Vietnam from 15th March 2023.

The first Chinese tourists in tour group come to Vietnam on 15th March 2023 (Photo: TITC)

A Chinese tourist group of 124 people followed a 3-day tour programme in Ha Noi and Ha Long, operated by Phuong Nam Tourism - Service and Hotel Co. Ltd., (chosen by Pingxiang City, China). At the welcoming, flowers and gifts have been given by VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu, leaders of Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee and representatives of a number of departments as the warm welcome from Vietnam.

VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu gifting souvenir to member of Chinese tourist group (Photo: TITC)

VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu hopes the tourist group may have an enjoyable and memorable trip in Vietnam. Tourism cooperation between Vietnam and China before the Covid-19 pandemic period was exquisite, bringing mutual benefits to the people of the two countries, making practical contributions to the cultivation of the Vietnam-China friendship. From 15th March 2023, the Chinese Government has decided to add Vietnam into the list of countries to which tour groups can be conducted. This is good news for the tourism industry, which is expected to boost the growth of Chinese visitors in the near future.

By time, Vietnam tourism has prepared entirely to offer Chinese visitors including facilities, products, services… Many tourism products associated with the typical culture of regions have been developed along with the hospitality of the people as well as beautiful natural scenery to attract more Chinese visitors to Vietnam. Moreover, the tourism industry has been actively promoting the application of technology and digital transformation to promote and enhance experiences, serving the diverse demands and tastes of international visitors.

Ms. Liang Wen Yin, a visitor in the Chinese tourist group said, the whole group was excited and eager to travel to Vietnam. There are many beautiful landscapes in Vietnam and the people here are friendly. She particularly favours Vietnam's destinations such as Ha Long, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Phu Quoc… and hopes to have an enjoyable time and explore Vietnam.

Leaders of VNAT, Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee and departments at the welcoming ceremony (Photo: TITC)

China has always been a leading source market of Vietnam tourism. In the period of 2015 - 2019, the number of Chinese visitors to Vietnam increased by 3.3 times from 1.78 million to 5.8 million arrivals. The proportion of Chinese visitor arrivals in the total number of international visitors to Vietnam tends to increase gradually, from 23% in 2015 to 32% in 2019.

A number of photos from the welcoming ceremony:

Leaders of VNAT, Lang Son Provincial People’s Committee and departments at the welcoming ceremony (Photo: TITC)

Chinese visitors exciting to visit Vietnam (Photo: TITC)

VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu gifting souvenir to Chinese tourist group (Photo: TITC)

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