In an article titled “Agricultural journalists praise Vietnam’s tourism surge,” author Alfred A. Yuson recounts the group’s visit to central Vietnam, particularly Da Nang, Ba Na Hills and Hoi An.

The group arrived with questions about Vietnam’s recent tourism gains, as the country recorded strong growth, welcoming more than 21 million international visitors in 2025.

Their trip provided answers. They pointed first to the country’s scenery and hospitality, describing landscapes as “picture-perfect” and highlighting cuisine that is distinctive and rich in vegetables. The article notes well-planned coastal expressways running alongside long stretches of white-sand beaches, with high-rise buildings on the other side housing hotels, apartments, restaurants, galleries and shops, drawing comparisons to Rio de Janeiro and South Beach in Miami.

From these observations, the author writes that Vietnam’s tourism sector is growing strongly, with around 21 million international arrivals, surpassing other countries in the region through a combination of modern infrastructure, coordinated planning and a wide range of services. The article also highlights the role of the Communist Party of Vietnam in maintaining continuity and consistency in development policy, enabling the effective rollout of long-term projects in urban development, tourism and coastal infrastructure, and shaping a more integrated national development landscape.

Visitors’ experiences also show strong potential for further tourism growth. With more than 482,000 Philippine visitors recorded in 2025, Vietnam is becoming more attractive to travellers from the Philippines. Popular destinations include Da Nang, Sa Pa, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang, along with Vietnamese cuisine.

In an interview with a correspondent of Voice of Vietnam covering ASEAN, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh said that as people-to-people exchanges are increasingly valued, cooperation in tourism, culture and education between the two countries has seen clear progress.

Vietnam and the Philippines have strong potential for tourism cooperation, supported by Vietnam’s natural conditions and diverse cuisine. The number of Philippine visitors to Vietnam is relatively high. Notably, Philippine tourists are among the highest-spending foreign visitors in Vietnam, he said.

The Ambassador also highlighted the expansion of direct air links, noting that three additional airlines have launched direct routes over the past two years, facilitating travel, study, work and tourism between the two countries and leading to a rapid increase in two-way visitor numbers.

Cultural exchanges, including the growing presence of Vietnamese cuisine and cultural products in the Philippines, have further strengthened mutual understanding and ties, providing a solid social foundation for bilateral relations.

“Colours of Vietnam” marks 50 years of Vietnam–Philippines ties

VOV.VN - A cultural event titled “Colours of Vietnam” is taking place in Manila, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Philippines (1976–2026), while promoting Vietnam’s culture, arts, and tourism.