Vietnam's appeal in the eyes of Japanese tourists

According to research by the ASEAN-Japan Center, Japanese tourists rate Vietnam's "cuisine" and "heritage" as the two top factors attracting visitors.

Vietnam has countless attractive tourist destinations. (Source: TITC)

Favorite destination of Japanese tourists

With its potential and strengths in long-standing cultural history, rich cuisine, diverse natural resources, security, political stability, and long-term visa exemption policy, Vietnam is one of the favorite destinations in ASEAN for international tourists, especially Japanese tourists.

Meanwhile, Japan is one of the countries that Vietnamese people choose the most when traveling abroad because of its good security, civilized and polite people, and many attractive typical tourism products such as cherry blossom viewing, autumn leaves, diverse and quality culinary culture and shopping.

During the 2015-2019 period, Japanese visitors to Vietnam grew steadily, averaging 9.1% per year. After the reopening of international tourism, in 2022, the total number of visitors exchanged between the two sides reached nearly 460,000. In the first 8 months of 2023, Vietnam welcomed 621,000 Japanese visitors, ranking third among the markets sending visitors to Vietnam. In the first 6 months of 2023, Japan welcomed 301,000 Vietnamese visitors.

Hoi An ancient town shimmering in lights. (Source: TITC)

Some of Vietnam’s destinations that attract Japanese tourists include: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An cluster, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh and Nha Trang. According to research by the ASEAN - Japan Center, Japanese tourists rate Vietnam’s “cuisine” and “heritage” as the two top factors attracting visitors.

The direct flight system creates convenient connections between major cities and major tourist destinations of the two countries. In May 2023, the Japanese Government selected and introduced Vietnam into the list of 24 countries as safe and attractive tourist destinations, encouraging travel companies to exploit and send visitors.

Cooperation in tourism recovery and development

At the Special Dialogue between ASEAN and Japan Tourism Ministers and the discussion "ASEAN - Japan 50 Years Ahead: Together Establishing the Path to Sustainable Tourism" held on October 28 in Tokyo to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN - Japan Friendship and Cooperation, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Ha Van Sieu shared about the post-pandemic tourism recovery and experiences in a more sustainable and resilient tourism recovery. From the second half of 2022 to the first months of 2023, Vietnam is experiencing a strong recovery of world and regional tourism, including ASEAN member countries and Japan.

Ministers and representatives of ASEAN and Japanese tourism management agencies participated in the Dialogue. (Source: VNA)

In the first 9 months of 2023, Vietnam welcomed 8.9 million international visitors, recovering 66% compared to the pre-pandemic level in 2019. Of these, there were 415,000 visitors from Japan, recovering 58% compared to 2019.

Vietnam tourism in particular and the world in general are recovering strongly but with many changes. Therefore, many initiatives and innovative efforts have been made to rebuild the tourism industry and reshape the future of tourism in a sustainable direction such as circular economy, sharing economy, digital economy, smart tourism, green tourism... receiving much attention at home and abroad.

According to Mr. Ha Van Sieu, from the perspective of sustainable tourism, Vietnam believes that cultural sustainability should be given top priority in harmony with economic and environmental aspects. Culture is a huge and invaluable resource for tourism development. By respecting the differences and diversity of indigenous cultures of ASEAN countries and Japan, we can create unique, different and incomparable tourism products.

This can further develop the unique appeal of each country, its people and communities. Diverse cultures attract tourists to ASEAN countries and Japan and provide diverse experiences for tourists, encouraging more tourism activities with satisfying impressions, longer stays and positive destination images.

In addition, Vietnam is also focusing on digital transformation in tourism to create a smart tourism ecosystem. Vietnam expects to share experiences from Japan and other ASEAN member countries in establishing big tourism data, smart tourism solutions, tourism applications, digital maps of landscapes, cuisine, etc.

Cuisine is one of the factors that "attracts" tourists. In the photo: U Minh forest fish sauce hotpot. (Source: TITC)

The impact of slow economic recovery is affecting incomes, thus reducing tourists’ demand for essential activities and services. Vietnam calls on ASEAN member countries and Japan to work closely together in partnership and cooperation to overcome these challenges.

Vietnam believes that the traditional friendship and cooperation relationship and the complete trust built over the past 50 years will continue to pave the way for effective tourism cooperation between ASEAN and Japan in the coming years.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/suc-hut-viet-nam-trong-mat-khach-du-lich-nhat-ban-253097.html