Vietnam served over 1.23 million international tourists in November, up 11% month-on-month, the record monthly number in 2023, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT). Over a quarter of these arrivals are from the Republic of Korea, driving a fresh demand for Korean-speaking personnel in popular destinations catering to Korean travelers.
In the first 11 months of 2023, the country welcomed 11.2 million foreign arrivals, 3.8 times higher than the figure recorded in the same period last year, and equal to 68.9% of the figure in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Of the total, visitors traveling by air accounted for 87.3%.
The VNAT said the Republic of Korea (RoK) maintained its position as the largest tourist market of Vietnam in the Jan-November period with 3.2 million arrivals, accounting for 28.5%. It was followed by China and Taiwan (China).
Meanwhile, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia; and the UK, France and German were respectively the top markets in in Southeast Asia and Europe.
In November 2023, the number of European arrivals witnessed the strongest growth among the continents, up 58.5% compared to the previous month. The number of Chinese visitors continued to maintain a growth of nearly 10%.
Statistics from the General Statistics Office (GSO), Vietnam raked in an estimated 34 trillion VND (1.4 billion USD) from tourism activities in the reviewed period, up 50.5% year-on-year.
Since early 2023, localities nationwide have actively offered many tourism products and cultural and sports activities to stimulate tourism demand.
The growing destination for South Korean tourists
Explaining for high number of Korean tourist entering Vietnam, Mr. Yong Sung Ok, Regional Manager – Southeast Asia at Hanatour, one of the leading travel companies in South Korea, said: “Vietnam is recently the most searched-for and popular destination among Korean tourists. Close geographical proximity, the availability of various flights, and relatively affordable airfare prices all contribute to this popularity.” Additionally, numerous attractive destinations with a wide range of experiences are also an appeal for them.
Short flight time 5 hours also helps Vietnam become the destination of choice for Korean people. Some airlines have begun to operate daily flights from Busan to Da Nang, helping to increase flight capacity by 86% over the same period in 2022. Cheap fares are also a decisive factor, when one-way route Incheon – Tan Son The most falls at about 2,9 million (cheap brands). With big airlines, even double the ticket price is still considered “reasonable” for Koreans.
“The price of hotel rooms, food, shopping and many tourist activities without spending too much money is a great advantage for Korean tourists,” said Vietravel’s representative.
Before the epidemic, Korean visitors to Vietnam for the first time often visited Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Now they go directly to Da Nang, Phu Quoc or Nha Trang. All three are popular tourist destinations, away from the bustling crowds of big cities, said a senior official of Korea’s top travel agency Hanatour.
In response to this trends, popular hotels in Da Nang, such as the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort and Sun World Ba Na Hills, have actively sought Korean-speaking employees. This move aims to better cater to the needs of the increasing number of Korean tourists travelling to this area. The demand for bilingual staff underscores the growing importance of providing tailored experiences for international visitors, enhancing their comfort and satisfaction during their stays.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 