Vietjet wins Selected Airline title at 2025 Korea Consumer Awards

Vietjet has been named as a Selected Airline at the 2025 Korea Consumer Awards (KCA), organized annually by DongA Ilbo, one of the leading newspapers of the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Vietjet Commercial Deputy Director Dinh Xuan Thuy (right), receives the award from Chief Judge Mr. Yoo Chang-jo
Vietjet Commercial Deputy Director Dinh Xuan Thuy (right), receives the award from Chief Judge Mr. Yoo Chang-jo

Seoul, VNA – Vietjet has been named as a Selected Airline at the 2025 Korea Consumer Awards (KCA), organized annually by DongA Ilbo, one of the leading newspapers of the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Award winners were chosen based on consumer surveys measuring four key brand metrics, combined with evaluations by a panel of expert judges. Vietjet is the only foreign airline brand honored this year, joining a total of 39 brands recognized at the 2025 Korea Consumer Awards.

The 6th-edition awards celebrate Vietjet’s outstanding contributions to enhancing travel experiences for Korean passengers through affordable fares, diverse ticket options, frequent promotions, and an expansive, convenient flight network connecting the RoK and Vietnam.

Since launching its inaugural route to Seoul, Vietjet has grown to become the largest carrier operating between Vietnam and Korea, transporting over 10 million passengers in just over a decade. The airline currently operates 12 direct routes with more than 300 weekly flights linking major Vietnamese cities — Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc — with key Korean hubs including Seoul, Busan, and Daegu. This extensive Vietnam – Korea flight network has helped boost tourism while fostering stronger economic and cultural ties between the two nations.

In 2023, Vietjet was also honored with the “Korea Consumer Satisfaction Brand Award” and the “Korea Consumer Best Brand Award”, and was named “Asia’s Leading Airline for Customer Experience” by the prestigious World Travel Awards. The airline has received numerous international accolades from esteemed organizations including Skytrax, World Business Outlook, and AirlineRatings, and continues to rank among the world’s safest airlines for many consecutive years./.

See more

Thailand has become the sixth international destination of Vietnam's newest carrier, Sun PhuQuoc Airways. (Photo: The courtesy of Sun PhuQuoc Airways)

Thailand is sixth international destination of Vietnam's newest airline

Speaking at the recent launch event for the Bangkok route, La Vinh Nam, the airline's Deputy Commercial Director, said the full-service carrier, owned by Vietnam's Sun Group, views Thailand as an important partner in promoting two-way tourism and attracting international transit passengers, rather than as a competitor.

Vietnam Railways has introduced a range of tourism, heritage and dedicated train services, attracting growing numbers of passengers. (Photo: VNA)

Railways reinvent themselves with tourism, heritage trains

One of the most notable successes is the premium Hoa Phuong Do (Flamboyant Flower) train operating between Hanoi and Hai Phong city. Since entering service in May 2025, the train has completed nearly 3,000 trips and carried around 1.33 million passengers.

A rammed-earth house of the Mong ethnic community in the mountainous province of Tuyen Quang. (Photo: VNA)

Heritage fuels distinctive destination brands across Vietnam

As localities move beyond resource-based tourism towards value-driven cultural development, they are creating distinctive destination brands while reinforcing Vietnam's position as a culturally rich and compelling destination on the global tourism map.

Foreign tourists explore Hoi An ancient town in Da Nang city. (Photo: VNA)

Tourism sector pivots to quality-led growth in second half of 2026

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam welcomed 12.3 million international visitors in the first six months of 2026, up 15% year-on-year. The figure is the highest first-half number in recent years and puts the country close to halfway towards its target of 25 million foreign arrivals this year.

Travel guide Lonely Planet describes Da Nang as an outdoor lover’s paradise. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang proves Lonely Planet right as Asia’s must visit summer destination

According to Lonely Planet, Da Nang stands out for its harmonious blend of beautiful beaches, an energetic yet relaxed lifestyle, a rich culinary scene and a diverse range of experiences spanning nature, culture, leisure and entertainment. The city is also praised as an ideal gateway to central Vietnam, offering convenient access to Hoi An, Hue and My Son Sanctuary.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways' new aircraft livery (Photo: Sun Group)

Vietnam's newest airline races from Phu Quoc onto the global stage

Sun PhuQuoc Airways, the airline of Sun Group, officially launched in October 2025 and began commercial flights the following month, entering a Vietnamese aviation market riding a wave of post-pandemic recovery, but also grappling with rising costs, fleet constraints, talent shortages, infrastructure pressure, and intensifying service competition. Less than a year in, this newcomer has already made its presence felt.

A Korean tourist family poses for a photo in the coastal city of Da Nang. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam remains second most popular destination for Korean tourists

Japan remained the top destination, attracting about 951,000 Korean visitors, accounting for 40.6% of total outbound tourists. Vietnam ranked second with approximately 278,000 visitors, followed by the US with 100,000, Taiwan (China) with 79,000, Thailand with 64,000, the Philippines with 61,000 and Hong Kong (China) with 59,000.

Tourists explore a tourist attraction in Hue city. (Photo: VNA)

Wellness tourism helps Hue shape identity as Asia’s emerging "healing city"

The development of wellness tourism is also aligned with the Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation. For Hue, the strategy provides an opportunity to combine modern medicine with traditional healthcare, biotechnology, indigenous medicinal herbs and tourism to create high-value services.

Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda is recognised as a special national relic in 2016. (Photo: VNA)

Digitalising rural heritage to boost tourism

Authorities in Xuan Hong commune of the northern province of Ninh Binh are leveraging digital technology to preserve cultural heritage and promote rural tourism, with the centuries-old Keo Hanh Thien Pagoda serving as the centrepiece of the initiative.

Discover Moscow offers a comprehensive hub of practical travel information, seasonal itinerary ideas and useful tips for visitors planning a trip to the Russian capital. (Screenshot)

Discover Moscow debuts Vietnamese-language tourism platform

Accessible at https://discover.moscow/vi, the platform provides a one-stop source of travel information, featuring practical guidance, seasonal itineraries and planning tips for visitors. It showcases the city's key attractions, cultural routes, parks, events, restaurants, shopping destinations and family-friendly activities, enabling travellers to organise their trips before arriving in Moscow.

Boat tours in Cam Thanh village, Da Nang city, generate significant income for local residents. (Photo: VNA)

Rural tourism draws strength from indigenous culture

Vietnam currently has more than 600 agricultural and rural tourism models, generating over 25 trillion VND (956 million USD) in annual revenue. The sector has become an important source of income for many rural communities seeking to diversify their livelihoods.

Located about 200 km from Hanoi, Ta Xua in Son La province is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular cloud-hunting destinations in northern Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Ta Xua sets sights on sustainable tourism

Ta Xua is rolling out a campaign titled “Bringing Ta Xua to the world” and aims to establish the image of “Ta Xua - a sea of clouds, majestic nature and Mong cultural identity” during the 2028-2030 period.