
Halal tourism: a promising opportunity for Hanoi
With over 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, this market offers huge potential, and Vietnam is advised to take proactive moves to access.
With over 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, this market offers huge potential, and Vietnam is advised to take proactive moves to access.
In 2024, Vietnam surpassed Singapore to become the third most-visited country in the region, welcoming 17.5 million international arrivals - just behind Malaysia with 25 million and Thailand with 35 million.
House of Travel, the largest travel company in New Zealand, said it has seen a significant 130% year-on-year increase in holiday bookings to Hanoi by New Zealanders, alongside a 32% rise for Bali and 11% for Tokyo.
Do Ha Thao, Secretary in charge of cultural affairs at the embassy, said that visitors show great interest in the Vietnamese booth, asking for information about tours and promotional programmes. Some of the visitors had previously been to Vietnam and wish to return.
Following a strong post-pandemic recovery driven by product diversification, Nicaragua sees Vietnam as a promising new market in its 2025 tourism growth strategy.
Located within the buffer zone of the Ha Long World Natural Heritage site, Bai Tu Long Bay boasts more than 300 limestone and shale islands. It features majestic, untouched landscapes, and rich ecosystems.
In the first three months, the province welcomed 2.6 million visitors, including 152,000 foreigners, up nearly 14% and 17% year-on-year, respectively. Tourism revenue surpassed 7 trillion VND, marking a year-on-year rise of 16%.
According to Wanderlust, the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park captivates adventure seekers with its majestic cave systems hidden within pristine forests and unspoiled natural landscapes.
Hanoi is popularising its cultural heritage sites, and transforming historical, architectural, religious, and cultural monuments into distinctive tourism products. Featured attractions include the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Co Loa Ancient Citadel, and the Temple of Literature.
Quang Ninh's 2025 cultural events promise to create a special appeal to residents and tourists alike, stimulating tourism demand. These initiatives directly support the province's goal of attracting 20 million visitors.
This year’s event features over 450 booths from more than 600 organisations and businesses, including participants from 56 Vietnamese provinces and cities and 16 countries and territories. Green tourism remains a key focus, with exhibitors showcasing eco-friendly products and experiences.
The official dispatch builds on the Politburo’s directive to make tourism a spearhead economic sector, with the PM’s directions already delivering notable success. Tourism has become a bright spot in Vietnam’s post-COVID-19 recovery, it said.
According to travel agencies, tours during the holiday from April 30 to May 4 are attracting strong interest from holidaymakers, with demand for information and bookings surging.
The sector is quickly launching promotional campaigns and demand stimulation efforts to attract more foreign visitors to boost incoming travel and enhance its position on the global tourism map.
The northern province of Hai Duong saw a sharp increase in the number of tourist arrivals to its scenic spots and historical relic sites during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day holiday from April 5-7.
This is the highest-ever number so far and represents a 134% surge from the figure in Q1 of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
In the first quarter of 2025, Ha Giang recorded over 848,000 tourist arrivals, including nearly 108,000 international visitors and more than 740,000 domestic travellers.
Demand for travel is rising, with a shift towards high-quality, experience-based tourism over mass-market, budget travel. To capitalise on this trend, the management board is launching initiatives to support 85 partner businesses and potential members of the geopark’s network.
As Vietnam is emerging as a trending destination for ultra-luxury and high-spending travellers, localities nationwide are working to tap into this highly potential market.
The airline’s promotion “Hunt for Golden Tickets for a Super Chill Summer” allows customers to get a 20% discount on base fares on all domestic routes by entering the code VUSALE20 when booking via the official website https://www.vietravelairlines.com.
The survey was conducted in 11 key tourism markets in the region, with a focus on Southeast Asia. Across Asia, Indonesia takes the top spot as the most popular diving destination, followed by the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.
The festival, held by the city’s Department of Tourism under the theme "Hanoi Tourism – A World Heritage Destination" is expected to stimulate tourism, promote destinations, products, and iconic souvenirs of Hanoi and Vietnam, while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30).
To offer competitive pricing with diverse experiences, Vietravel has collaborated with both domestic and international service providers, including national tourism boards from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong (China), the Republic of Korea, and Japan.
Experts believe that with strong cooperation between the public and private sectors, HCM City’s tourism industry can capitalise on new opportunities and maintain its position as a dynamic travel hub in Southeast Asia.
Truong Thi Hong Hanh, Director of Da Nang’s Department of Tourism, said the launch of the Almaty-Da Nang route marked a significant milestone in enhancing Da Nang’s tourism links with Kazakhstan and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It is expected to attract visitors from this promising market to Da Nang and the central region of Vietnam.