Vietnam

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Bridge 28 (the highest bridge in Cambodia) will be temporarily opened during the Khmer New Year (11-17 Apr). Construction is nearly 100% complete

The first Vice-President of Cambodia’s Senate met with the Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee during the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Both countries agreed to draft an MoU to formalise cooperation, promote direct flights between the 2 nations, and organise joint tourism forums

The Hanoi People's Committee issued a directive for transitioning the city's public bus fleet to electric and green energy vehicles, aiming to convert all public buses to electric or green energy by 2030. A detailed annual roadmap must be submitted to the municipal government by 15 Apr

During a high-level meeting between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. and Vietnam agreed to begin negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, including discussions on tariffs. The U.S. delayed implementing new tariffs on Vietnamese goods for 90 days. The U.S. Trade Representative affirmed the U.S.'s commitment to its partnership with Vietnam and to addressing trade imbalances while strengthening collaboration across sectors. Both sides agreed to launch technical discussions on a reciprocal trade agreement addressing tariffs, and reduce non-tariff barriers

On 9 Apr, the Vice Chairwoman of the HCMC People’s Committee reaffirmed the city’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Cambodia. Plans include organising an investment cooperation promotion conference, a business forum, and blood donation campaigns involving consulate staff, businesses, and Cambodian students. The Cambodian Consul General requested HCMC’s continued support, including more scholarships for Cambodian students

On 9 Apr, Vietnam Airlines signed an MOU with Citibank, N.A., securing over $560 million USD in funding as part of the Vietnam delegation to the US. Citibank will also provide strategic advisory services to help Vietnam Airlines establish a financial framework, ensuring efficient investment and risk management. The airline will meet with the Export-Import Bank of the US (EXIM) in Washington, D.C., to explore loan guarantee opportunities

From 7 Mar, citizens from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland were granted visa-free entry to Vietnam, after Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland had visa waivers from 15 Jan

The Vietnam International Travel Mart opened in Hanoi on 10 Apr, with the theme of “Developing Green Destinations - Elevating Vietnam’s Tourism”

Viet Media Corporation has reported that the number of customers booking tours for the Apr-May 5-day holiday has reached about 80% of the company’s target, +10% YoY. Top choices include Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Da Nang, Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh, Da Lat and Sa Pa, as well as HCMC. BestPrice Travel has seen its numbers increase by 25-30% for Da Lat, Phan Thiet, Nha Trang ad Ha Long by 25-30% YoY

On 10 Apr, the Prime Minister signed an official dispatch to accelerate tourism development and target double-digit economic growth. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will lead the initiative, focusing on launching a tourism stimulus programme, promoting digital transformation and green tourism, and enhancing accessibility and convenience in collaboration with provincial and city governments

Hai Duong province saw a great rise in tourist arrivals during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day holiday (5-7 Apr). The Con Son - Kiep Bac special national heritage site welcomed around 17,600 visitors, a 6.5-fold increase YoY. The site’s spring festival attracted 68,000 tourists, +42% YoY. About 1,000 tourists visited historical sites in Ninh Giang district. The Mao Dien Temple of Literature and the Xưa Temple - Giam Pagoda – Bia Temple relic cluster in Cam Giang district received around 2,500 visitors, +30% YoY

Vietluxtour expects a 25-30% increase in revenue for bookings to HCMC over the 5-day national holiday, with a 50% increase in advance bookings since early Apr. Ben Thanh Tourist are expecting 1,500-2,000 tourists, and many central hotels in HCMC are seeing over 50% occupancy rates

Hotel occupancy rates in Sa Pa exceeded 80% with 3 weeks remaining before the Reunification Day - Labour Day holidays (30 Apr - 1 May). According to data from Mustgo, most 4-star hotels in Sa Pa are almost fully booked for the holiday period. 5-star hotels report an occupancy rate of around 75%. In Phu Quoc, 4-star hotels have a 70% occupancy rate and 5-star hotels are at 50%. In Phan Thiet, 5-star hotels are booked between 60–70%, while 3- and 4-star hotels show 50–60% occupancy. In Vung Tau, occupancy rates range from 20% - 40% across all segments

From 31 Mar - 5 Apr, the Phu Day Festival 2025 will be held at the Phu Day Historical and Cultural Relic Site in Nam Dinh province, featuring traditional rituals such as the procession of the Mother Goddesses, drawing words, and a torch relay

In 2024, Hoi An city welcomed 4.6 million visitors, over 60% of whom were international tourists. The city receives 2,000-5,000 daily visitors, with up to 10,000 on weekends. The Chairman of Hoi An City said that the city regretted resorts being built on coastlines which destroyed coastal forests, caused erosion and damage to the shoreline. Tourism and urban growth were also said to cause the loss of local ownership. Additionally, infrastructure is strained, with narrow streets and limited land hindering road expansion, resulting in traffic jams and noise pollution. According to the Chairman, Quang Nam province approved a master plan for Hoi An City until 2035, dividing it into 7 zones, including heritage, ecological, and coastal areas. The government allocated a budget of $65 million USD for the heritage conservation plan, aiming to establish Hoi An as an eco-cultural-tourism hub and a key regional and global destination

According to the General Statistics Office, in Q1 2025: - China led the top source markets with nearly 1.6 million visitors, followed by South Korea (1.26 million), contributing 47% of all international tourists - Other notable markets included Taiwan (331,000), the U.S. (259,000), Cambodia (234,000), and Japan (226,000) - Poland and Switzerland saw notable increases of 539% and 14.1% YoY, respectively

The Vietnamese government directed the People’s Committees of Hanoi and HCMC to reduce air pollution to safe levels within the next 5 years. Air quality management is declared an interdisciplinary issue that requires coordinated leadership and implementation across various sectors. Local authorities are also urged to invest in automatic air monitoring stations and enforce stricter controls on waste and emissions from construction, transportation, and industrial activities

Q1 2025 GDP was reported to come in at 6.93%, down from Q4 2024’s 7.55%. The statistics office has said that if Trump tariffs cause a 10% drop in shipments to the US, it could cause GDP to drop by 0.84pp

Q1 2025 GDP was reported to come in at 6.93%, down from Q4 2024’s 7.55%. The statistics office has said that if Trump tariffs cause a 10% drop in shipments to the US, it could cause GDP to drop by 0.84pp

According to the Q1 2025 socio-economic report from the General Statistics Office: - In Q1 2025, international visitors to Vietnam reached 6.018 million, the highest ever in a single quarter, +29.6% YoY, and +134% compared to Q1 2019 - Mar 2025 alone recorded 2.05 million arrivals, +28.5% YoY - Asia remains the top source region, contributing 4.71 million visitors (over 78% of the total) - The number of visitors from Europe were 791,900, 341,500 (America), 160,100 (Australia & Pacific), and 12,300 (Africa) - Russian tourism surged by 210%, particularly to Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, and Phu Quoc Island - The number of tourists from Cambodia were +205% YoY, +195% YoY (the Philippines), and +178% YoY (Thailand) - Air arrivals reached 5.2 million (86.4% of total), +34% YoY - Land arrivals reached 685,500 (11.4% of total), +9.6% YoY - Sea arrivals reached 133,000 (2.2% of total), -2.7% YoY - Tourism revenue reached $833.1 million USD, +18.3% YoY, with top contributions from Hanoi (+23.5% YoY), Da Nang (+22.1% YoY), and Quang Ninh (+20.9% YoY) - Accommodation and food services generated $7.7 billion USD, +14% YoY

During the Belgian state visit to Vietnam, the Prime Minster announced Vietnam will soon remove visa requirements for Belgian passport holders, allowing visa-free entry for stays of up to 45 days. The Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium said that Vietnam has not requested reciprocal measures from Belgium

On 3 Apr, the 21st HCMC Tourism Festival opened in District 1, featuring 32 businesses, alongside tourism agencies from 41 cities and provinces. Nearly 900 tourism products and services, with discounts of up to 45%, are available. Key highlights include activities related to the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of South Vietnam and National Reunification, along with tours highlighting the culture and history of HCMC

The art of kylin-lion-dragon dance by the Hoa people (Vietnamese Chinese) in HCMC was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage of humanity by Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. HCMC has 60 amateur and professional troupes, each with 100–200 members. A representative from Nhon Nghia Duong troupe said that his business helps to promote cultural and tourism products of District 5 to tourists

On 3 Apr, a conference was held to summarise the tourism development cooperation programme (2020–2025) between HCMC and 8 Northeastern provinces in Vietnam. According to the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lang Son, from 2024 to 2025, the combined regions attracted 69.2 million tourists, generating tourism revenue of around 205,586 billion VND. The Head of Tourism Promotion Management Department at the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism suggested enhancing digital technology and artificial intelligence in tourism promotion, promoting sustainable tourism, expanding visa policies and streamlining immigration procedures to attract international visitors

The US will impose a broad-based reciprocal tariff ranging 10%-50% on goods entering the country from 9 Apr. The tariffs will be: - Cambodia, 49% - Vietnam, 46% - Thailand, 37% - China, 34% - Indonesia, 32% - Malaysia, 24% - The Philippines, 18% - Singapore, 10% The executive order mentioned that the trading relationship between the US and its trading partners has become highly unbalanced

The Trump administration imposed a 46% tariff on all Vietnamese imports, the second-highest after Cambodia. The Prime Minister formed a task force, and said that Vietnam’s target of 8% GDP growth in 2025 will remain unchanged for now. The Deputy PM will lead a delegation to the U.S. for talks, joined by executives from Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and VinaCapital. Textiles and apparel industries are among the hardest hit as the U.S. is Vietnam’s largest export market. Tech manufacturers, including Apple suppliers, and Intel, will face rising production costs. The HCMC Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association said that companies could be forced out of business, risking mass job losses

Vietnam’s stock market suffered its worst-ever drop following news of the 46% U.S. tariff with just 13 stocks rising while 352 fell. Trading activity surged 105%, hitting $1.5 billion USD. By the end of the session on 3 Apr, the VN-Index on the HCMC Stock Exchange (HoSE) fell 87.99 points (-6.68%) to 1,229.84 - the sharpest drop in the region. The VN30-Index fell 93.76 points (-6.81%) to 1,283.18. All 30 companies declined, with 28 hitting their floor price. The HNX-Index fell 17.18 points (-6.81%) to 220.95

According to the Tien Giang Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in Q1 2025: - The province welcomed 522,000 visitors (+2.7% YoY), reaching 24.9% of the annual target - Of these, 182,000 were international visitors, +4.9% YoY - Direct tourism revenue reached $14.8 million USD, reaching 25.2% of the annual goal

Vietravel introduced a variety of domestic and international tour packages with flexible itineraries and special promotions for trips in Apr, May, and Jun at the HCMC Tourism Festival 2025. The company collaborated with service providers, including national tourism boards from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan

The 5th Exhibition of HCMC and Friendship Provinces and Cities in Savannakhet will be held from 2-6 Apr in HCMC, to boost trade and cooperation

From 6-14 Apr, the Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in a high-level policy dialogue at Columbia University in New York. The business community expects that through this visit, the Deputy PM can negotiate a more balanced trade agreement (given the U.S.’s 46% tariffs on Vietnam exports) to alleviate economic impacts on businesses

As part of the "Love Vietnam" project led by Nhan Dan Newspaper, NFC chip boards were installed at cultural and historical sites in Son La Province, enabling visitors to access information via smartphones by tapping on the chip. Daily visitors to Moc Chau Island range from 1,200 to 1,300, including many experiencing NFC technology at landmarks like the Bach Long Glass Bridge. The project supports tourism growth and digital transformation in Son La Province and other regions, especially in remote areas like Ta Xua Cloud Paradise

On 1 Apr, the HCMC Department of Tourism held a dialogue with local businesses to address challenges and develop the tourism sector for 2025. During the discussion, enterprises raised various concerns regarding administrative reforms, visa exemptions, infrastructure, tax incentives, and AI integration in tourism promotion. Some proposed streamlining visa policies, reducing utility costs, expanding tourism services, and improving urban planning

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Khon Kaen, the Thai-Vietnamese Business Association, and local authorities, co-organised the Vietnamese traditional dress showcase in Khon Kaen, Thailand, as part of the Spring Homeland 2025 programme. The activity attracted nearly 600 participants. Another key event was an art programme in Khon Kaen on 30 Mar, promoting patriotism and solidarity. The programme raised nearly $17,400 USD to support the HCMC Memorial Site and One Pillar Pagoda in the city, as well as to assist Vietnamese language teachers at Khanh An School

The number of Russian tourists visiting Vietnam surpassed Thailand and Indonesia, with a 5% rise in travel demand in Mar 2025. Airfare prices were +49% YoY, and hotel bookings were +25% YoY. The Association of Russian Tour Operators (ATOR) attributes the growth to factors such as pent-up demand, the resumption of direct flights, and a stronger ruble. According to Travelata.ru, demand for tour groups to Vietnam was +5% MoM in Mar and +9% MoM in Feb. Data from Sletat.ru showed that tour sales from 1 Feb - 18 Mar tripled compared to the same period last year. Yandex Travel reported a fourfold increase in tour sales in Mar

According to HCMC’s Department of Tourism, the city is planning to open museums during evening hours to diversify tourism offerings and boost the night economy. The Director of the Department said that these openings will include cultural programming, such as fashion shows and local performances. The Department also proposed developing waterway tourism, including riverside walking tours and enhanced boat services, with the Department of Transport currently reviewing investment options

The Vietnam’s Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister to introduce long-term visa schemes, allowing foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals to live, work, and invest in Vietnam without frequent renewals. The proposed 10-Year Investor Visa will allow application for permanent residency after 5 years if the investment is maintained. TAB recommends piloting these visas in key economic and tourism hubs such as HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc

In Q1 2025, Ha Giang welcomed over 848,000 tourists, including nearly 108,000 international tourists, with an estimated revenue at nearly $92 million USD. The province targets 3.5 million tourists in 2025. The province’s development plans for the period 2026-2030 include developing new inter-provincial tourism routes, and partnering with international organisations for sustainable tourism

After 5 months of renovation, the Vung Tau Back Beach is set to open by 30 Apr. The renovation project spans 19.2 hectares, and cost nearly $45 million USD. Key features include new parks with sea-view walkways, flower gardens, and open spaces; a pedestrian bridge; walkways, freshwater foot-washing pools, and service stations

Some tours to Bangkok from Vietnam were cancelled due to safety concerns and the Thai government's state of emergency declaration. Viettravel cancelled a group tour of 40 guests scheduled to depart for Bangkok in early Apr. All flights from Vietnam to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports resumed operations

First Real Estate JSC rented 1,000 VinFast electric cars from Green Future Trading and Service JSC to promote green tourism in Da Nang. 2 First Real subsidiaries will manage car rentals, collaborating with travel agencies to expand services and establish new pickup and drop-off points. In late Feb 2025, the Da Nang People’s Committee signed an MoU with Vingroup to promote green transformation. Plans include a Da Nang - Hue electric bus route, electric taxi expansion, charging station development, and carbon credit projects related to EVs

On 28 Mar, the Communist Party General Secretary announced Vietnam’s plan to reduce its number of administrative units from 63 provinces and cities to 34, as part of a major government reform to streamline the state apparatus. The reform includes merging provinces and cities, dissolving the district level, and creating around 5,000 new commune- and ward-level units. Vietnam also plans to restructure its administrative system into 3 levels: central government, provincial/municipal, and commune/ward, aiming to remove overlapping duties and enhance efficiency

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at 1:20pm on 28 Mar affected high-rise buildings in Hanoi and HCMC. In Hanoi, there were violent shaking lasting minutes, swaying chandeliers, and widespread panic as residents evacuated. In HCMC, tremors were reported in District 1, Phu Nhuan, and District 11, prompting many to leave buildings for safety

The Trump Organisation, in partnership with Kinhbac City, is planning multi-billion-dollar investments in Vietnam, including golf courses, hotels, and real estate projects. The first one, worth $1.5 billion USD, will break ground near Hanoi in May 2025, including three 18-hole golf courses and a residential complex. 2 golf courses are expected to be operational by mid-2027. A second project near HCMC is under consideration, with an announcement expected by the end of 2025. A spokesman for the consortium said that it is evaluating 3 or 4 additional investments across Vietnam

Grab Vietnam and the Tourism Development Support Fund signed a 5-year MoU, focusing on promoting and developing Vietnam’s tourism industry through digital transformation. Grab will serve as a preferred transportation and e-commerce partner, providing services such as ride-hailing, food delivery, cashless payments, and logistics to improve visitor experiences. Both sides will also collaborate with travel agencies to develop International Travel Packages

Quang Ninh province plans to host 170 events in 2025, including 24 international, national, and provincial-level programmes and 146 local events. By early 2025, around 50 events have taken place, with 13 others scheduled by late Mar. During the 30 Apr-1 May holiday, activities include the Ha Long Carnival 2025, national sports championships, cultural fairs, and an art programme. Tourist arrivals are expected to surge in May and June, particularly in coastal areas like Ha Long, Van Don, Co To and Mong Cai

The Minister of Construction (MoC) met with the Chinese Minister of Transport during his trip to China from 24-26 Mar. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was planned between Vietnam's MoC and China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) to establish a Vietnam-China railway cooperation committee. Vietnam aims to break ground on the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project by the end of 2025

According to the HCMC Department of Tourism: - Historical tourism accounts for 41% of HCMC’s tourism GDP - 56% of international tourists and 28% of domestic tourists are drawn to cultural tourism - Tens of thousands of visitors, both local and international, visit these historical sites monthly. Notable sites include Cu Chi Tunnels, Independence Palace, and Sac Forest - Can Gio Resistance Base

The Hue city’s People Committee held the opening ceremony of the National Tourism Year - Hue 2025 and Hue Festival 2025, with the participation of over 800 performers, including international art troupes from China and South Korea. The festival features over 170 national and provincial events across four seasons in 2025, expected to attract 4.8-5 million visitors, with 38–40% being international tourists. Tourism revenue is expected to reach $423.57-439.26 million USD

From 10-13 Apr, the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2025 will take place in Hanoi, with the participation of 450 booths, 60 tourism promotion agencies, 8 airlines, 16 countries and territories, and over 600 businesses. Activities include B2B and B2C meetings, showcasing tourism products, destinations, technologies, and trends. Visitors to the event can enjoy promotions on tours, flights, hotels, and OCOP products, showcasing destinations across Vietnam. Over 1,200 appointments were made through the system. On 11 Apr, a forum titled "Developing Green Destinations, Elevating Vietnam’s Tourism", with discussions focused on green tourism business models, market expansion, and digital transformation in tourism, is expected to attract 300 delegates

Phu Quoc Island welcomed over 2 million visitors in Q1 2025, including 474,468 foreign tourists, +66.5% YoY. Kien Giang province attracted over 3.1 million tourists in Q1, achieving 28.4% of its annual target, +13.7% YoY, with tourism revenue reaching over $508.68 million USD, +79.4% YoY. The province is strengthening ties with domestic and international partners and exploring new maritime transport routes to Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia

Dak Lak province has shifted to ethical elephant tourism, focusing on humane experiences rather than rides. Tourists can engage in activities like feeding elephants, and joining health blessing ceremonies. The province has 35 domesticated elephants, mostly over 40 years old, facing threats such as declining breeding rates, shrinking grazing lands, and habitat conflicts. By 2026, elephant rides will be replaced with eco-tourism activities

Indochina Research survey, with data collected from over 300 foreigners in Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, and Can Tho, revealed that: - Expertise of medical professionals (53%) is the top consideration for choosing medical facilities, followed by infrastructure quality (48%) and patient care services (40%) - Most foreign visitors use medical services for health check-ups (48%), dental care (39%), and general consultations (38%). - A significant 87% of respondents intend to continue using Vietnam’s medical services, particularly for dental care (59%) and health check-ups (58%) - Vietnam’s medical services are known for affordability and a strong network of private hospitals

On 21 Mar, the French Minister of Transport and Vietnamese Minister of Construction met in Hanoi to discuss development in transport sectors, including railways, maritime, aviation, and urban transport; and bilateral support in aviation management, business facilitation for airlines, and training programmes for aviation personnel. The French Minister said that French businesses are interested in Vietnam’s North-South high-speed railway project and seek to expand cooperation with Vietnamese partners

Phong Nha in Quang Binh province topped Agoda's list of the most affordable spring travel destinations in Asia for Apr and May 2025, with an average room rate of 715,000 VND per night. The list is based on average room prices in 20 popular destinations across 9 Asian markets

During an inspection visit, the Prime Minister directed Long Thanh International Airport to be completed by 31 Dec 2025. He suggested a metro line connecting Long Thanh Airport with Tan Son Nhat International Airport to ensure long-term connectivity

On 18 Mar, the Meet The Experts (MTE) conference, aimed at the real estate and hospitality sectors, took place in HCMC. The event was organised by WeHub, Savills Hotels, partners; and attracted 60+ industry leaders, 1,000+ participants, including investors, hotel owners, management companies, and consultants. In 2024, international arrivals to Nha Trang were +125% YoY. According to the Head of SE Asia Hotel Advisory and creator of the MTE series, international tourist arrivals to Vietnam are rebounding to pre-COVID levels. He added that nationwide hotel occupancy increased by 15% points, and room rates rose by around 5%, driven by the luxury segment

Truc Bach Ward in Hanoi is piloting an initiative to provide free restrooms for pedestrians and tourists. Local restaurants and accommodation facilities offer these free-of-charge toilets, marked with a "Free Restroom - Make Yourself At Home" logo

From 28 Mar-1 Apr, the Da Nang Food Tour Festival will take place, featuring over 200 unique dishes from across Vietnam, featuring a chef competition, performances, and a food tour. About 5,000 “cuisine passports” will be issued, offering 10% discounts at food courts and redeemable for gifts. Bookings through Traveloka x Danang Food Tour until 31 May include food vouchers with 20-30% discounts

According to Klook’s Travel Pulse Research, focusing on Millennials and Gen Z’s attitudes towards travel, in Vietnam: - 56% of travellers agree that time is the main barrier to travel - 88% feel restricted in their opportunities to travel - For Gen Z, financial constraints (50%) are the second biggest barrier to travel, while Millennials highlight work commitments (47%) - 91% allocate up to half their budget to experiences rather than flight expenses - Gen Z prefers off-the-beaten-path destinations, adventure tours, and digital detox retreats - Millennials value eco-friendly travel experiences - Popular destinations for Vietnamese travellers in 2025 include Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Mainland China, and Australia

From 11-13 Apr 2025, the 2025 Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival will take place at Tran Nhan Tong pedestrian street and surrounding areas in Hai Ba Trung District, featuring 80 booths. The event includes promotional activities and cultural events to introduce traditional culture and tourism to visitors

According to Agoda’s 2025 Sustainable Travel Survey: - 77% of Vietnamese travellers consider sustainability important in their 2025 travel choices, placing them among Asia's top 5 most sustainability-conscious travellers, exceeding the Asian average of 68% - Over 25% of Vietnamese travellers prioritise authentic tourism, while 19% aim to support local economies during their trips - 22% prefer off-peak travel to reduce crowding - 21% choose accommodations with sustainability certifications - 15% pack reusable items to minimise waste