Foreign visitors explore Hanoi’s old quarters by cyclo, admiring the city’s timeless beauty. (Photo: VNA)
French travel agencies have recorded a notable rise in bookings for the Christmas and year-end holiday season, with Vietnam emerging as one of the most popular long-haul destinations since the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite economic uncertainty, late bookings are keeping the market buoyant.
According to Orchestra, the analytics system of the French Association of Travel Management, bookings for the 2025 Christmas period have increased 5.4 per cent year-on-year, while average holiday spending per traveller remains unchanged at EUR 3,916 (about USD 4,600). President Valerie Boned said travel continues to be a priority in French household budgets, especially during festive periods when families often opt for long-haul trips.
Vietnam stands out clearly in this segment. Patrice Caradec, President of the Syndicate of French Tour-Operators, said the country has not attracted as many French tourists since COVID-19. As Vietnam reopened later than several Asian destinations, pent-up demand has surged with the full recovery of tourism, bringing French arrivals back to pre-pandemic levels.
The strong performance of Vietnam comes as long-haul markets enjoy an upbeat winter travel season. Orchestra data show solid growth for Mexico, up 10.6 per cent, Thailand up 2.4 per cent and the Dominican Republic up 2.2 per cent, supported by expanded routes from carriers such as Air France and Air Caraibes.
Middle-distance destinations are also seeing gains. Egypt has made a striking comeback with bookings rising 46.6 per cent, while Cape Verde is up 11.8 per cent. Morocco, up 2.3 per cent, and Tunisia, up 4.9 per cent, remain steady choices. Some agencies reported declines for Morocco, offset by rising demand for Italy, Spain and Jordan. Finland and Iceland have seen clear drops, while Egypt is benefiting from the opening of a major new museum in Cairo.
Travel firms describe this year’s market as unpredictable, with many travellers waiting until November to book rather than the usual September to October period. Higher prices for airfares, accommodation and activities have made customers more cautious. Even so, Protourisme Director Didier Arino noted that travel remains the top spending priority for French families.
SETO forecasts continued growth beyond Christmas, with outbound travel from November 1 to April 30 expected to rise 7 per cent in passenger numbers and 9 per cent in total bookings. Within this broader trend, Vietnam’s landscapes, culture and effective tourism recovery policies continue to strengthen its position as a leading winter destination for French holidaymakers.