Vietnam Airlines Partners with Major Airlines to Boost Tourism in Vietnam

Vietnam Airlines, in partnership with China Eastern, China Southern, and Korean Air, is set to amplify the tourism surge in Vietnam, focusing on expanding travel opportunities from key markets. This coalition, backed by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, emphasizes promoting bilateral relations through a meaningful China Tourism Summit held in Shanghai. According to preliminary data for 2026, Vietnam is witnessing unprecedented inflows of tourists from countries including China, South Korea, India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. This strategic alliance is not only expected to stimulate the airline industry but also boost tourism and hospitality services across Vietnam, making it a vibrant focal point for international travel.

A Record Surge in International Travelers Enhances Vietnam’s Appeal

Vietnam marked a significant achievement in its tourism sector during 2025, welcoming an astounding 21.2 million international travelers, which is a remarkable 20.4% increase compared to 2024. This is a noteworthy resurgence, surpassing the number of visitors prior to the pandemic. Air travel constituted a significant portion of this increase, accounting for approximately 84.3% of visitor arrivals. China led the charge with over 5.2 million arrivals, trailed closely by South Korea at approximately 4.3 million. Other contributing countries included the United States (849,000), Japan (814,000), India (746,000), and Australia (548,000), illustrating a broad geographic interest in Vietnam’s tourism offerings.

The insights from recent reports for 2026 indicate a continued upward trajectory, with approximately 8.79 million international tourists arriving within the first four months of the year, signifying a 14.6% increase from last year. Much of this growth is attributed to the thriving air travel sector, with significant increases noted particularly from Asian markets, prominently India.

The Role of Aviation in Vietnam’s Tourism Growth

The surge in tourism can be directly linked to notable advancements in aviation, enhancing market access and allowing for greater connectivity.

• Vietnam Airlines is strategically positioning itself in the burgeoning Asia-Pacific travel sector, expanding its network to include direct routes to China, South Korea, Japan, India, and Australia.
• China Eastern and China Southern are leveraging collaborations established during the ACV summit, increasing connections between major Chinese cities and Vietnamese destinations.
• Korean Air is stepping up its service offerings:
• Enhancing flights to both existing airports in Hanoi and the newly commissioned Long Thanh International Airport.
• By introducing additional new Korean carriers and flights, Vietnam is becoming the next key destination for Korean travelers.
• Emerging budget airlines like Vietjet and the upcoming Sun PhuQuoc Airways are promoting competition, enhancing travel options, and stimulating demand.

Exciting new plans are underway to capture the growing international travel demand to Vietnam.

Reasons the 2026 Travel Season is Expected to Shine

The Chinese Market Dominance

China will unavoidably remain a cornerstone market for Vietnam’s tourism strategy. Projections anticipate that Chinese nationals will make up over 5.2 million visitors in 2025, representing every fourth tourist in the nation. Both tourism and business travel from China showcase substantial interest, spurred by the expanding offerings from Chinese airlines.

Soaring Interest from South Korea

South Koreans continue to demonstrate one of the highest rates of travel to Vietnam, often resulting in increased spending per visit. Despite some outbound travel constraints, the range of options available, including extended flights by Korean Air, keeps South Korea as a pivotal market for Vietnamese tourism.

India: The Fastest-Growing Market in South Asia

India registered a phenomenal growth rate exceeding 40% in 2025, with early indications that the trend will continue into 2026. Enhanced air connectivity and streamlined visa processes significantly strengthen India’s position as a key source of tourists for Vietnam.

Long-Haul Potential from the US, Japan, and Australia

Visitors from the United States (849,000) and Japan (814,000) contribute high spending and drive demand for premium hospitality, tours, and high-end travel experiences. Although Australia has lower visitor numbers, its economic contribution per traveler remains substantial.

Widespread Benefits to the Tourism Sector

The revival of international tourism has spurred direct benefits for hotels and service providers, resulting in:

• Notable increases in hotel occupancy rates across major tourist spots such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.
• Accommodation and food services seeing revenue growth of over 14% in 2025.
• Travel service revenues climbing by more than 20%, underscoring that the tourism boom extends far beyond the aviation sector.

This rise in bookings from diverse travel markets reinforces Vietnam’s attractiveness as a destination.

Essential Travel Tips for Tourists

With increased travel demand and options, proper planning is crucial:

• Verify Flight Status: Always check schedules directly with airlines for any updates and confirmations.
• Understand Visa Rules: Be informed about visa exemptions, e-visas, and traditional visa procedures to ensure smooth entry into Vietnam.
• Plan Your Journey: It’s advisable to book flights and accommodations well in advance, particularly during peak times such as holiday seasons.
• Know Local Conditions: Be mindful of local weather patterns that may impact your itinerary.
• Invest in Travel Insurance: Securing travel insurance is wise for added protection against unforeseen delays or cancellations.

FAQs

Q1: Is Vietnam open to all tourists in 2026?

Indeed, travelers from China, South Korea, India, the US, Japan, and Australia will continue to flow into Vietnam, with numbers consistently on the rise.

Q2: Can we expect more flight routes to Vietnam?

Absolutely! Enhancing travel access is a key priority, with additional resources being allocated to increase services by major airlines, alongside newer entrants like Sun PhuQuoc Airways.

Q3: Will traveling to Vietnam become more expensive due to rising tourism?

While prices might see a rise, early bookings typically normalize costs over time.

As the Vietnam tourism landscape expands, Vietnam Airlines, in pursuit of maximum collaboration with fellow carriers, is well-positioned to welcome record-breaking arrivals from around the globe.

Author’s Insight

The notable resurgence in Vietnam’s tourism sector is a testament to the country’s resurgence post-pandemic and its emergence as a premier travel destination. With strategic aviation partnerships fostering diverse visitation and positive trends across different markets, the future looks promising. While infrastructure development remains a challenge to match visitations, the progressive policies and adaptability shown by the airlines, paired with solid demand for travel, indicate a bright path ahead.

Source: The post Vietnam Airlines joins China Eastern, China Southern & Korean Air to Lead Explosive Aviation Surge After ACV’s Shanghai Summit — China, Korea, India, US, Japan & Australia Tourists Flood Vietnam Like Never Before first appeared on www.travelandtourworld.com.