Hanoi (VNA) – The number of Vietnamese travellers to the Republic of Korea (RoK) has surged strongly, surpassing 500,000 arrivals in 2024, cementing Vietnam as one of the most important and promising source markets for Korean tourism.
To capitalise on this momentum, the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association (HTA) on August 23 convened the second edition of its “Tourism and Entrepreneurs” dialogue series, spotlighting the visa policy as a key to attracting tourists to the RoK.
Part of the broader “Tourism & Entrepreneurs 2025” programme, the event aimed to strengthen cooperation in travel and hospitality between the two countries.
A highlight was the participation of representatives from the RoK Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, who shared first-hand insights with more than 250 delegates from tour operators, hotels, and transport firms.
Figures from the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) reveal that in just the first half of 2025, around 320,000 Vietnamese visitors entered the RoK, a 35% increase compared with the same period last year. This underscores the enduring appeal of the Northeast Asian destination among Vietnamese travellers.
The seminar placed particular emphasis on recent reforms and adjustments in the RoK’s visa issuance process. Participants noted that timely and accurate updates are essential for Vietnamese outbound travel companies seeking to harness the rising wave of demand.
From an industry perspective, Doan Ngoc Thao, Deputy General Director of The Swing Travel & Sports JSC and Secretary-General of the Saigon Golf Tourism Association, pointed out that the international golf tourism segment has grown steadily in Vietnam, led by visitors from the RoK and Taiwan (China).
Golf travellers are typically high-spending guests who combine premium courses with luxury resort stays. Annual arrivals from the Korean and Taiwanese markets have been rising by 10–15% on average, with sharp increases in the post-pandemic period.
Thao further noted that Vietnam’s expansion of visa exemptions, extended stays, and adoption of convenient e-visa issuance have made it easier to attract more tourists, encouraging longer visits and repeat trips. If this favourable visa policy is maintained and broadened, Vietnam could soon emerge as one of Asia’s leading golf destinations for visitors from the RoK and Taiwan.
On the Korean side, authorities are also considering more flexible visa measures, with the ambition of welcoming over 700,000 Vietnamese visitors by 2026. Observers said this creates a “golden opportunity” for travel businesses to seize the trend.
Industry experts emphasised that understanding visa procedures allows firms to better prepare documentation, reduce processing times, and increase approval rates. This not only boosts their competitiveness but also enhances corporate credibility in the race to capture market share. A streamlined visa experience, they added, is the very first touchpoint that shapes visitor satisfaction and creates lasting impressions.
In addition, a flexible visa policy is regarded as a useful instrument for tourism promotion. It sends a strong welcoming message from the Korean government while also reinforcing the spirit of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Participants agreed that the seminar was more than just an information session. By bringing together officials, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, it created a practical platform for dialogue and coordination. For many, the event equipped businesses with a “golden key” to unlocking access to the Korean market while also contributing to balanced and sustainable development of both inbound and outbound tourism.
As Vietnam and the RoK celebrate robust people-to-people exchanges, both sides recognise that visa facilitation plays a decisive role in driving growth. With over half a million Vietnamese already choosing the RoK in 2024, the trajectory suggests even stronger flows in the years ahead, provided supportive frameworks remain in place./.
