Vietnam overtakes Thailand as top travel destination for Chinese tourists
VOV.VN - Vietnam has overtaken Thailand to become the top destination in the region for Chinese tourists, recording a historic 3.5 million arrivals as of August 2025.
Meanwhile, Chinese tourist arrivals to Thailand plummeted by about 35% year on year.
A report by Bloomberg, a global provider of financial news and information, revealed that Vietnam’s rapid growth is reshaping Southeast Asia’s multi-billion-dollar tourism industry. This surge is in stark contrast to regional giant Thailand, which is losing its market share.
According to data of China Trading Desk, a firm that monitors Chinese travel and spending, the shift could cost Thailand as much as US$3.5 billion in lost revenue, with the money instead flowing to Vietnam and its neighbours.
The change is largely driven by a new wave of independent Chinese travelers, marking a fundamental shift in the preferences of the world’s largest outbound travel market. Subramania Bhatt, CEO of China Trading Desk, said many in this group view Vietnam as offering something fresh, distinctive, and more authentic.
So far this year, Vietnam has welcomed nearly 14 million foreign arrivals with visitors from China – its biggest source market – increasing by 44% year on year.
Bloomberg reported, the Vietnamese government and private tour operators are stepping up efforts to draw more foreign tourists, particularly from China. In Quang Ninh province, which borders China, local authorities have worked with businesses to launch paragliding and hot air balloon festivals to encourage longer stays.
In addition, the coastal city of Da Nang is also implementing promotional campaign to attract Chinese tourists with large Chinese characters adorning everything from hotel entrances to street food stalls. Moreover, it noted, local hotels are also hiring Mandarin-speaking staff or using translation apps to communicate with guests.
According to market analysis firm BMI, the hefty spending of Chinese tourists is driving Vietnam’s tourism retail sales, which have soared about 51% this year through August compared to last year.
It predicted that Vietnam would attract 22.6 million foreign arrivals this year, topping the 2019 high of 18 million visitors.
Vietnam's natural beauty and culinary delights praised by Chinese media
VOV.VN - China Global Television Network (CGTN) recently released a video showcasing Vietnam's breathtaking landscapes, including the capital city Hanoi and the UNESCO-listed natural wonder of Ha Long Bay.
