The Future of Vietnamese Tourism: Mr. Johnathan Hạnh Nguyễn Predicts a Boom in Chinese Visitors by 2025, with Vietnam Airlines Potentially Reaching 10 Million Passengers

From November 5 to November 24, 2024, Cam Ranh International Airport witnessed a record-breaking number of international passengers, with 686 flights and over 120,894 international visitors. This remarkable feat signifies the robust recovery of Khanh Hoa’s tourism industry, especially the coastal city of Nha Trang as a sought-after destination. The influx of international travelers from various countries, notably South Korea, China, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia, has injected positive momentum into the local tourism sector.

Notably, South Korea took the lead with 433 flights and 75,495 passengers, while China, a key tourism market, contributed 31,349 visitors, as reported by the Pacific International Partnership Group (IPPG).

Mr. Pham Thanh Son, CEO of Cam Ranh International Terminal JSC, attributed the recent surge in Chinese tourists to attractive pricing. He assured that the Cam Ranh International Terminal is well-prepared to accommodate this sudden increase in passenger volume. The terminal has previously handled up to 6.5 million passengers in 2018 and is equipped to handle up to 8 million passengers annually.

In anticipation of this strong recovery in tourism and aviation, industry leaders like Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, Chairman of IPPG, had already foreseen and prepared for this surge. Mr. Nguyen emphasized that 2025 will be a pivotal year for Chinese tourist influx into Vietnam, and immediate action is necessary to cater to their duty-free shopping demands.

Demonstrating their proactive approach, IPPG, the largest shareholder of Cam Ranh International Terminal, signed a memorandum of understanding with China Duty Free, China’s leading duty-free enterprise. As per the agreement, China Duty Free (CDFG) committed to bringing a significant number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam, estimated to reach tens of millions annually.

Mr. Nguyen shared that CDFG has been working closely with IPPG to establish Duty Fee shops in Vietnam. He commended their efficiency and swiftness in setting up these shops. CDFG dedicated seven months to studying the optimal locations and sizes for the shops while simultaneously coordinating with various parties to direct Chinese tourists to these shopping destinations.

IPPG has also been in discussions with Vietnam Airlines to increase seat capacity and collaborate with foreign airlines to accommodate the influx of Chinese tourists, which is expected to reach tens of thousands.

“With the influx of Chinese tourists, a market known for its high purchasing power, we anticipate a significant boost for the local tourism industry. This also presents an opportunity for Vietnam Airlines to increase flight frequencies and cater to the transportation needs of up to 10 million Chinese visitors annually,”

Mr. Nguyen emphasized.