Returning to Beijing after more than a week in Vietnam, Chen, 30, carried home not only luggage but also local specialities such as coffee, rice crackers and traditional cakes purchased during her trip.
“During my stay, I visited Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa and Ninh Binh. I spent more than VND 20 million (approximately USD 800) for the entire trip. It felt reasonable, with plenty of travel and dining without being expensive,” she said, adding she would recommend Vietnam to friends and family.
Chen is among more than 1.4 million Chinese visitors who travelled to Vietnam in the first quarter of this year. According to official data, China ranked as the largest source market during the period.
Phu Quoc is a favourite destination for many Chinese tourists. Pictured, a female tourist experiences a cable car (Photo: DY).
In recent years, Chinese tourists have consistently been one of Vietnam’s most important international markets. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, arrivals from China reached 5.8 million. The number rebounded to 3.7 million in 2024 and surged by more than 141 per cent to 5.2 million in 2025.
Fan Guangyu of the China Tourism Association said the number of Chinese visitors to Vietnam is expected to continue growing steadily.
He highlighted four key factors attracting Chinese travellers: geographical proximity, cultural similarities, diverse tourism resources including beaches, and a rich history with shared cultural connections between the two countries.
Growth is also supported by strong bilateral relations and Vietnam’s stable political environment.
The rising numbers reflect a broader shift, with Chinese tourists increasingly choosing destinations such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos over traditional options like Europe, the United States, Thailand or Singapore.
“Vietnam is regarded as one of the safest destinations in Southeast Asia, and safety is the top priority for Chinese travellers going abroad,” Fan said.
Fan Guangyu (left) attends the Vietnam International Travel Mart 2026 (Photo: Tran Thanh Cong).
Nguyen Cong Hoan, chief executive of Flamingo Redtours, said Chinese tourists now have multiple travel options to Vietnam, including land routes, commercial flights and charter services.
“They tend to spend generously and are selective about both food and accommodation,” he said. “They prefer high end, luxury services, including wellness and healthcare experiences, and enjoy shopping, particularly for souvenirs and consumer goods.”
Chinese tourists can travel by road through border gates to visit Vietnam (Photo: Xinhua).
Pham Van Bay of Vietravel noted that Chinese visitors often take cross country tours lasting six to nine days, typically requesting four or five star hotels, high service standards and quality cuisine.
“They enjoy vibrant, bustling cities where they can explore both day and night. There is strong demand for entertainment and experiential activities, so localities should develop more night time tourism products,” he said.
The type of skydiving tour wealthy tourists are willing to pay for (Photo: Getyourguide).
According to the Ministry of Finance, international arrivals to Vietnam reached 6.76 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 12.4 per cent year on year, marking a record for the period.
Of these, China accounted for more than 1.4 million visitors, followed by South Korea with over 1.3 million. Together, the two markets made up around 40 per cent of total international arrivals.
