South Korea remained Danang's largest foreign market in May with more than 130,800 visitors, though arrivals fell 20 per cent from April and were about half the March level.
Nationwide, South Korean arrivals to Vietnam in May also fell slightly from the previous month and were down about 12 per cent year-on-year.
Industry representatives attributed the decline partly to reduced air connectivity between South Korea and Vietnam as airlines adjust schedules in response to economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and rising operating costs.
Several South Korean carriers, including Jeju Air and Air Busan, have cut flights to Danang between April and June, leading to a decline in both passenger numbers and flight frequencies compared with the same period last year.
Despite the slowdown, Danang has maintained strong hotel occupancy during the summer peak season, supported by diversified tourism markets and major events such as the Danang International Fireworks Festival and Danang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF).
However, some high-end accommodation providers have reported a drop in South Korean guests over the past three months, with declines of up to 30 per cent.
Nguyen Duc Quynh, vice chairman of the Danang Tourism Association, said South Korea's share of international visitors at many hotels had fallen from over 45 per cent to around 30 per cent.
He said South Korea remained a key market but should no longer be viewed as the sole growth driver for the city's tourism industry.
Quynh attributed that the slowdown reflects growing market saturation and a shift towards newer destinations among South Korean travellers.
"Danang has been a popular destination for South Korean tourists for many years and is no longer perceived as a new destination by a large segment of the market," he added.
He noted that the profile of South Korean visitors was also changing, with fewer young, trend-driven travellers and a growing share of families, older tourists and budget tour groups.
As a result, average spending levels, demand for premium experiences and social media-driven promotion have become less pronounced than in previous years.
Tourism experts said the focus should shift from simply increasing visitor numbers to attracting higher-quality travellers, boosting spending, extending stays and encouraging greater use of hospitality and resort services.
Suh Il Suk, deputy head of the Vietnam Tourism Association's tourism promotion office in Seoul, said reductions in low-cost carrier services could raise travel costs for independent South Korean travellers, potentially redirecting some demand to competing destinations such as China and Japan.
He said Vietnamese destinations should move away from a low-cost, high-frequency flight" model and instead offer higher-quality experiences that deliver better value for money.
Suh also called for greater cooperation between local authorities, airlines and tourism businesses to maintain direct air routes and develop all-inclusive travel packages that help stabilise prices and reduce uncertainty for travellers.
Experts said the slowdown underscored the need for Danang to diversify its tourism markets and attract more visitors from China, India, Australia and Europe.
