The Government News has quoted the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) as reporting on December 20 that the number of Vietnamese tourists to Japan reached a new record of 536,800 in the first eleven months of this year.

The figure surpassed the previous record of 495,051 posted in 2019.

From Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, tourists can fly directly to and from major cities in Japan such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kobe.

Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam, H.E. Yamada Takio, expressed his delight at the new record, adding that 2023 has been a special year as Vietnam and Japan celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, which have been upgraded to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world”.

Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Ha Van Sieu was quoted by the Government News as saying that Japan is one of the leading foreign destinations for Vietnamese holidaymakers, while Vietnam is also popular among Japanese tourists. Vietnam welcomed nearly 530,000 Japanese visitors in the first eleven months.

Japan has been one of the key source markets for Vietnam’s tourism industry in recent years.

The number of Japanese tourists visiting Vietnam increased 1.4-fold to 952,000 during the 2015-2019 period, for annual average growth of 9.1 per cent.

Japanese tourists are interested in tours to Vietnam to experience the local culture and explore UNESCO World Heritages on resort-style vacations.

Hanoi, Quang Ninh (Ha Long Bay), Ninh Binh, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, the Mekong Delta, and Ho Chi Minh City are the most attractive destinations for Japanese visitors.

Vietnam has paid particular attention to promoting the image of the country and its people among Japanese people. A wide range of programs to promote tourism destinations in Vietnam and the country’s cultural festivals have been organized in many cities around Japan. Vietnamese travel agencies have also participated in many international tourism fairs in the country.

Mr. Yoshida Kenji, Head of the JNTO representative office in Vietnam, revealed that, in 2024, the office will carry out measures to increase the number of Japanese visitors to Vietnam.

It will also work with organizations and individuals in the industry to implement the Japanese Government’s three new tourism strategies, of “sustainable tourism development”, “increases in tourism consumption”, and “regional attraction”, in order to boost tourist exchanges between the two countries.