Vietnam‘s domestic tourism industry grapples with challenges as escalating airfares and lackluster nightlife discourage travelers from exploring local destinations – making it extra difficult to meet its tourism goal for 2024.
Industry insiders cite a preference for international travel due to cheaper costs and accessible routes.
Airlines suspending domestic flights to tourist spots like Phu Quoc and Nha Trang contribute to soaring ticket prices, potentially deterring travelers.
Economic downturn prompts tighter spending among locals, affecting the domestic tourism market.
To save costs, tourists opt for nearby destinations reachable by car, impacting hotel occupancy rates as shorter stays become prevalent.
Additionally, dissatisfaction with limited nighttime entertainment in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City further deters tourists.
The Civil Aviation Authority predicts an 8% decline in domestic air passengers due to suspended routes and anticipated ticket price hikes. Despite a 34.5% increase in domestic air travelers compared to 2022, many Vietnamese choose overseas travel due to affordable airfares and budget-friendly packages, with Thailand, South Korea, and Japan as top destinations.
Outbound tourism remains robust, fueled by expected external affairs activities with South Korea and China, while experts urge improvements in visa approval times to boost inbound travel.
Though Vietnam granted three-month tourist visas to all of these countries last year, travelers continue to face delays, impacting foreign arrivals, which fell short of Thailand’s numbers.
Vietnam aims to welcome 18 million foreign tourists this year, seeking to match its 2019 record and revitalize the tourism sector.
