On April 8 in Hanoi, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) in Vietnam, in coordination with the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, held Korea Travel Mart 2026 and the Korea Tourism Product Design Contest 2026 awards ceremony. The event drew more than 160 delegates from the two countries, providing a promotion forum as market demand continues to rise.

According to KTO Vietnam, as of the end of March 2026, the number of Vietnamese visitors to the RoK reached more than 167,000, up 29.6% year on year and 53% compared to 2019. In the opposite direction, the RoK remained one of Vietnam’s largest international source markets. In 2025, Vietnam welcomed about 4.3 million Korean visitors; in the first quarter of 2026 alone, the figure exceeded 1.32 million.

Upon addressing the event, Park Eun Jung, KTO Vietnam Chief Representative said Korea Travel Mart 2026 serves as a bridge for businesses of the two countries to strengthen cooperation while opening opportunities to develop tourism products aligned with new trends. She added that with supportive policies and diverse promotion activities, the RoK expects to further boost tourism exchanges between the two countries.

Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, said Vietnam and the RoK are not only comprehensive strategic partners but also close friends across multiple fields. Tourism has become a bridge helping people of the two countries better understand each other, grow closer and build trust.

From March 30, 2026, the RoK Government has applied a policy granting multiple-entry visas with a validity of up to 10 years for Vietnamese citizens with permanent residence in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The policy facilitates independent travellers and repeat visitors.

The incentive travel segment continues to record positive growth, with 5,485 arrivals in the first quarter of 2026, up 21.75% year on year. These figures show that the RoK continues to be highly attractive to Vietnamese travellers, with demand expanding across new segments.

Amid rising demand, Korea Travel Mart 2026 serves as a connection point where tour operators, management agencies and service partners meet, exchange and develop products.

The event drew more than 20 organisations from the RoK, including local tourism promotion agencies. Notably, the Western Gyeonggi Cultural and Tourism Council, an alliance of seven cities -Gimpo, Pyeongtaek, Hwaseong, Ansan, Siheung, Gwangmyeong and Bucheon- aims to build a unified tourism belt.

Alongside networking activities, the KTO announced its 2026 promotion strategy, focusing on three pillars: strengthening B2B and B2C activities, expanding the independent travel segment, and developing themed tourism products. Activities will be implemented throughout the year through events such as the Korea Culture & Tourism Festival in Hanoi, the K-tourism B2B Roadshow in Ho Chi Minh City and the central city of Da Nang, as well as participation in major international tourism fairs.

The “All-in-K” campaign is scheduled to be launched from April 2026, with the participation of brands with a view to offering comprehensive incentives for travellers.

Korean Air names Vietnam a key market in Southeast Asia

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