Strengthening air connectivity and tourist exchange between Vietnam and Fukuoka (Japan)

On the morning of October 1, in Hanoi, Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Nguyen Trung Khanh received and worked with Mr. Yukihito Arima, Director of Passenger Development Department, Transport Development Division - Fukuoka International Airport Co., Ltd. (Japan) on cooperation and attracting tourists between the two sides.

Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh speaks at the reception. Photo: TITC

Talking to Mr. Yukihito Arima, Director Nguyen Trung Khanh expressed his joy that many flights connecting Vietnam and Japan in recent times have contributed to increasing the exchange of visitors and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Japan is currently among the top 5 international tourist markets to Vietnam. The Director emphasized that, in addition to market promotion policies and tourism product development, connecting flights is a key factor in boosting the number of two-way visitors.

In the first 8 months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed nearly 540,000 Japanese visitors, an increase of 17.1% over the same period in 2024; at the same time, there were more than 479,000 Vietnamese visitors to Japan, an increase of 10.4% over the same period last year.

According to Mr. Yukihito Arima, Fukuoka International Airport Co., Ltd. (FIAC) is a private entity that has been granted the franchise to operate Fukuoka International Airport (FUK) for 30 years since 2019. This is the 4th largest airport in Japan (after Haneda, Narita and Kansai), located in Fukuoka Prefecture - the northern gateway to Kyushu Island. Fukuoka is famous for its harmonious combination of modern urban areas, sea - mountain nature and traditional culture.

Overview of the reception. Photo: TITC

Mr. Yukihito Arima said that since the beginning of 2025, the number of Japanese passengers on flights from Fukuoka International Airport to Vietnam has recorded strong growth. In particular, from the 2025 winter flight schedule, Vietnam Airlines ' Hanoi - Fukuoka route will be operated daily, significantly improving passenger convenience and expecting to maintain positive growth momentum.

He expressed his wish to coordinate with the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, airlines and local authorities to study and exploit the Fukuoka - Da Nang direct flight route in the near future, considering this an important driving force to attract more Japanese tourists to Vietnam and vice versa.

Currently, Fukuoka has direct air connections with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The Ho Chi Minh City - Fukuoka route is operated by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air with an average frequency of 5-7 flights/week/airline. The Hanoi - Fukuoka route is operated by Vietnam Airlines and from October 26, 2025, it will be increased to 1 flight per day, creating more convenience for passengers.

Mr. Yukihito Arima, Director of Passenger Development Division, Transport Development Division - Fukuoka International Airport Co., Ltd. spoke at the reception. Photo: TITC

Regarding promotional activities, Fukuoka has implemented many programs to encourage Japanese tourists to visit Vietnam. Digital communication campaigns were carried out through leading KOLs (influencers) in Kyushu sharing their travel experiences in Vietnam on social networks, along with transmitting Vietnam tourism information on Fukuoka Airport's official channels with more than 120,000 followers. In addition, Fukuoka also organized a survey trip in Ho Chi Minh City for teachers of junior high and high schools, to promote overseas school tourism. At the same time, the airport also supports travel companies in promoting charter flights between Fukuoka and Da Nang.

In the opposite direction, in order to increase the number of Vietnamese tourists to Fukuoka and Kyushu, FIAC invited Vietnamese tourism product operators to conduct surveys to build new tours, and invited KOLs and Vietnamese news agencies and newspapers to experience and share Kyushu tourism information. Workshops and business-to-business (B2B) connection programs with Vietnamese travel companies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were also organized, contributing to strengthening cooperation and increasing tourism products between the two sides.

Leaders of both sides exchanged souvenirs. Photo: TITC

Director Nguyen Trung Khanh welcomed FIAC's expansion of cooperation, especially in coordinating research, promotion and joint promotion of new flight routes, including the potential to open a direct flight from Fukuoka to Da Nang. The Director suggested that the two sides coordinate to organize promotional activities such as roadshows, seminars on Vietnam - Japan tourism; strengthen digital communication through the official website and fanpage of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism; and at the same time, strengthen connections with localities, especially Da Nang - a destination with a diverse system of 4-5 star hotels, suitable for welcoming MICE guests from Japan.

Leaders and delegates from both sides took a souvenir photo. Photo: TITC

Accordingly, the two sides agreed to continue to increase information sharing, closely coordinate in joint promotional campaigns, exploit the potential to open new flight routes and step up promotional activities in both markets.

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/tang-cuong-ket-noi-hang-khong-trao-doi-khach-du-lich-giua-viet-nam-va-fukuoka-nhat-ban-2025100115243896.htm