Tourism experts report that the increased number of Chinese visitors traveling to Vietnam can be attributed to high safety standards, close geographical location, and budget-friendly transportation options.
“A 25-year-old Chinese woman who visited Hoi An in mid-May mentioned, ‘I have traveled to Vietnam two times, and each time I experienced joy,'” she shared.
She highlighted the brief commuting time from her residence, minimal costs, and picturesque shores as primary factors behind her decision to come back.
She also praised
the country’s safety
She mentions that she has never experienced anxiety when walking alone after dark.
Data from the General Statistics Office indicates that mainland China accounted for the highest number of international tourists visiting Vietnam during the initial four-month period of 2025, with approximately 1.95 million arrivals out of a total of 7.7 million visitors. This represents an increase of almost 15% compared to the record set in 2019.
In early 2023, China lifted its long-standing Covid-related border closures, yet the influx of tourists to Vietnam failed to return to prerecession numbers throughout 2023 and 2024.
During that time frame, South Korea led as the primary visitor source; however, China has since regained the leading position.
Pham Anh Vu, the deputy general director of Du Lich Viet, mentioned that this year there has been a 30% growth.
He mentioned that most Chinese travelers prefer locations featuring beaches and high-end resorts like Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc.
The director of the Asian Development Institute, Pham Hai Quynh, pointed out the reasons for Vietnam’s appeal: inexpensive living costs, budget-friendly tourist amenities, stunning coastlines, vibrant cultural heritage, and an array of culinary options.
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Chinese visitors take pictures at Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang Province, which shares a border with China, in October 2024. The photo was taken by VGI |
According to Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of Hanoi-based AZA Travel, proximity is also crucial.
Vietnam is located nearer to China compared to locations such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. This proximity allows Chinese tourists to reach Vietnam via land routes, which provides them with ease of travel and potentially lower expenses, he explained.
Similarly conducive living styles and climate add to their positive experiences by providing a sense of familiarity and ease, complemented further by the presence of Mandarin-speaking tour guides along with hotel and restaurant personnel.
The reinstatement of direct commercial and charter flights between China and Vietnam has expedited travel and made it more budget-friendly.
Thanks to the robust pace and positive circumstances, specialists anticipate that China will continue to be Vietnam’s top provider of international visitors for the current year.
