Vietnam welcomes first Chinese tourist groups after outbound tour resumption

The biggest group with 124 people entered Vietnam through Huu Nghi border gate in Lang Son Province while some smaller groups entered via Mong Cai border gate in Quang Ninh Province.

Wednesday recorded no Chinese tourist group coming to Vietnam by air.

After going through visa procedures, a teacher in her 40s, expressed her excitement to return to Vietnam after more than three years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said Vietnam is the first country that she goes to, although China has allowed its citizens to travel abroad since January 8.

“We chose Vietnam because this country has many beautiful attractions, unique cuisine and especially convenient transportation. As soon as the tours were resumed, we booked a tour to come here,” Liu said and affirmed that she will come to Vietnam many times in the future.

Liu Hiu visits Vietnam after three years of Covid-19, March 15, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Tu

Liu’s friend Chen Wen Jie often went to Vietnam whenever she had free time. When she could finally travel again, she immediately thought of Vietnam.

They will spend three days and two nights in Vietnam, visiting Ha Long Bay and Hanoi.

Ha Van Sieu, Deputy General Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, hopes that the Chinese tourist groups will have a memorable time in Vietnam. He also hopes this will be the beginning of a strong tourism recovery between Vietnam and China.

China was Vietnam’s biggest market of foreign tourists before Covid-19.

In 2023, Vietnam aims to welcome eight million international visitors, after failing to reach its target of five million last year. Sieu believes that the result of this year will be positive because Vietnam has welcomed 1.8 million visitors in the first two months of 2023.

“With China resuming outbound tours to Vietnam, we are confident to exceed the target of eight million,” Sieu said.