Vietnam most popular Southeast Asian country for Korean tourists
Da Nang / Korea Times photo by Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Vietnam is emerging as a popular destination for Korean tourists.
According to the latest data from the Korea Tourism Organization, Vietnam is now the most popular Southeast Asian country for Korean tourists. Among all countries, it is the third most popular only after Japan and China.
The data shows 1,714,349 Koreans visited the country between January and November, compared with Thailand (1,276,627), Hong Kong (1,227,587) and the Philippines (1,068,789).
After Vietnam became Koreans’ most beloved Southeast Asian country last year for the first time, it is projected to cement its status this year.
From 2015 to 2017, the number of Korean visitors to Vietnam increased annually by more than 35 percent on average. In 2014, the country was far behind Hong Kong, the Philippines and Thailand.
In addition to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi ― Vietnam’s two largest cities ― an increasing number of Koreans explore other parts of the country. Da Nang, which is famous for its pristine and crystal-clear blue water, and Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of lanterns and traditional beauty, are among the rising hotspots.
Among many reasons for growth, the country is known to be safe; Koreans are familiar with some of its dishes such as pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup; in general, prices are lower than other popular tourist destinations.
The country’s natural wonders, from Ha Long Bay to the Mekong Delta, are also well-known here through media.
The rise of low-cost airlines has also helped boost the number of tourists from here. Eastar Jet operates seven flights between Incheon and Da Nang a week. Jeju Air plans to increase the number of its weekly flights between Incheon and Nha Trang to five on Dec. 26.
With the increasing trade volume between the two nations, the number of Korean visitors to Vietnam is expected to continue rising.