RoK tourists favour Vietnam for Lunar New Year Festival: tour operators
Vietnam is still a favourite tourist destination for Republic of Korea travellers on the upcoming Seollal or Korean Lunar New Year - a holiday and celebration which marks the first day of the Korean Lunar Calendar.
Golden Bridge - a tourist attraction in the central city of Da Nang. (Photo: VNA)
Seoul (VNA)⭕ – Vietnam is still a favouritetourist destination for Republic of Korea travellers on the upcoming Seollalor Korean Lunar New Year - a holiday and celebration whichmarks the first day of the Korean Lunar Calendar.
This year, Seollal falls on January 22. Data from travel agencies in the Republic of Korea showsthat the demand for overseas travel of people in the country during the Seollalis high even though the holiday only lasts four days. As of the beginning of January 2023, travel agencies soldout 80% of the total air tickets that they prepare for the holiday. Favourite destinations selected by Korean travellers include Japan, Vietnam, and some other Southeast Asian countries.
Vietnam is still a favourite tourist destination for Republic of Korea travellers on the upcoming Seollal or Korean Lunar New Year. (Photo: vnexpress.net)
An official of Korea’s travel agency MODETOUR said that itsold out about 87% of tickets departing during the Lunar New Year festival, ofwhich tickets to Japan’s Osaka sold out the fastest. Hanjin Travel also confirmed that all tickets for charterflights to Japan’s Kagoshima province departing during the holiday this yearwere sold out. Due to the short holiday period, tourist destinations nearKorea such as Japan and Southeast Asian countries are very popular. According to Hana Tour Company, as of January 9, its toursstarting from January 20 to 24 were booked with 54% to Southeast Asia, 30% toJapan, and 7% to Europe. Specifically, in Southeast Asia, 36% of its clients chooseVietnam, 17% choose Thailand, 12% choose the Philippines and 7% choose Taiwan(China). The RoK tourism industry considers these very positivesigns of recovery since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. A survey by major tour operators in the country shows thatmore than 80% of products that they planned to offer during the lunar new yearholiday have been welcomed by customers. An official from Lotte Tour said that so far all of itsplans are still in progress without any changes or problems. Compared to threeyears ago, this is the recovery starting from zero to 100./.
The resort city of Da Lat in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong has so far this year welcomed about 140,000 foreign visitors, 25% of them from the Republic of Korea (RoK), according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa welcomed more than 3,600 foreign visitors in the first two days of this year as 21 flights landed at its Cam Ranh International Airport, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.
Vietnam saw 3.66 million foreign tourist arrivals last year, and those from the Republic of Korea (RoK) accounted for the largest proportion with over 965,000, or 26.4%.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement policies and directives from the Party, Government, and Prime Minister on tourism development.
Da Nang's appeal stems from its numerous outstanding tourist attractions, particularly My Khe Beach, Sun World Ba Na Hills resort, and the ancient town of Hoi An. Additionally, Da Nang tourism is renowned for its affordability, especially attractive to young travellers and couples, according to Chosun Ilbo.
With new direct flights from major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly compelling destination for Indian tourists seeking a quick, emotionally rich four-day escape that blends luxury, culture, and natural wonder.
By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
Khanh Hoa has welcomed 16 international cruises so far this year, with more than 19,000 tourists disembarking to explore the province’s scenic landscapes and renowned cultural, religious, and artistic landmarks, as well as to enjoy local cuisine and sightseeing tours.
According to local plans, fireworks shows will be held at multiple locations, with Ha Long Bay as the focal point. More than mere entertainment, these displays are part of a strategic cultural tourism product aimed at strengthening the region’s brand.
Chatbot and virtual assistants support itinerary consultation and tour bookings, and provide around-the-clock response across multiple platforms while AI advertising applications have been used to optimise budgets and target the right customers. AI has been also employed to analyse customer data, enabling the delivery of personalised tour recommendations.
Many Vietnamese regions possess favourable conditions, including natural landscapes, climate, and rich cultural identities, to host sport events that integrate with cultural and tourism experiences.
Dubbed the “land of ancient towers”, Khanh Hoa boasts a rich Cham legacy through architectural masterpieces like the Po Nagar, Hoa Lai, Po Klong Garai, and Po Rome towers.
Vietnam’s e-visa system is now seen as one of the most efficient, convenient, and transparent in the region. Fully online registration, no paperwork or interviews, and fast and flexible processing time have improved foreigners’ entry experience, creating a competitive advantage over countries clinging to complicated and costly visa procedures.
Sunset Town unfolded like a living fairytale. Every street and hidden corner recalls iconic European landmarks – from Venice’s San Marco Bell Tower and Paris’s Arc de Triomphe to Almafi-style squares and cobblestone paths reminiscent of southern Italy.
Its natural advantages have made Mui Ne a magnet for enthusiasts of kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). These activities not only diversify the local tourism offerings but also contribute to the area’s long-term development strategy focused on sustainability.
In July alone, the city welcomed 695,930 international arrivals, surging 75.3% year-on-year. For the seven-month period, international visitors totalled 4.5 million, up 48% year-on-year.
Welcoming the crew on the morning of July 30, Dang Dong Ha, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasised that the film offers a valuable opportunity to promote Quang Tri’s tourism potential, particularly to Indian visitors, but also to a broader global audience.
With a proactive and creative approach, Hanoi is positioning itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most compelling destinations where tradition meets innovation, and every visit offers a blend of the familiar and the new.
Fostering linkage among regional localities and restructuring the tourism sector towards professionalism are among measures to boost the “smokeless industry” of the Mekong Delta.
Golden Bridge - a tourist attraction in the central city of Da Nang. (Photo: VNA) 
Vietnam is still a favourite tourist destination for Republic of Korea travellers on the upcoming Seollal or Korean Lunar New Year. (Photo: vnexpress.net) 
