Why do Korean tourists love traveling to Vietnam?

South Korea is the second largest tourist market of Vietnam, reaching over 3.23 million arrivals, just behind China with over 3.89 million arrivals (as of September 2025). What makes Korean tourists love Vietnam so much?

Vietnam's tourism atmosphere in the last months of the year has become more bustling than ever when international visitors flock to airports, hotels, resorts... Among them, Korean tourists account for a high proportion, appearing in all destinations from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang to Phu Quoc.

Korean tourists flock to Vietnam

According to the General Statistics Office, in the past 9 months, the number of Korean visitors to Vietnam is currently only behind China with a very small difference, and may even take the lead if this growth momentum is maintained in the last quarter of the year.

In the first 9 months of 2025, international arrivals to Vietnam reached more than 15.4 million, an increase of 21.5% over the same period last year. After 9 months of 2025, the two markets of China and Korea contributed nearly half of the total number of international arrivals to Vietnam. Korea is the second largest market sending visitors to Vietnam, reaching over 3.23 million arrivals, only behind China with over 3.89 million arrivals.

Mr. Munki Kim and his girlfriend (both Korean tourists) experience making Quang noodles in Hoi An ancient town.

PHOTO: LE NAM

At the "Visa Policy" seminar held at the end of August in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. You Sang Byun, Consular Visa Department - Consulate General of Korea said: "In 2024, there will be more than 4.5 million Korean visitors to Vietnam, and in the first half of 2025, it will exceed 2 million. Vietnam is not only close in culture and cuisine , but also has many attractive destinations and friendly people."

He said that the tourism relationship between the two countries is growing strongly and can become the foundation for visa exemption for Vietnamese people in the next five years, if the overstay rate improves.

In fact, Korean tourists are increasingly appearing in coastal cities in Vietnam. In Nha Trang, Korean visitors account for a large proportion of the total number of international visitors. A representative of the InterContinental Nha Trang Hotel said that Korean visitors are still the main source of visitors to Nha Trang - Cam Ranh in general and at the hotel in particular, thanks to the high frequency of flights and increasingly vibrant destination exploitation activities. Meanwhile, Mia Nha Trang - a coastal resort said that the number of Korean visitors regularly exceeds 50%, because they "prefer swimming in the sea, Vietnamese food is suitable for their taste and reasonable cost".

In Da Nang, the bustling streets from Bach Dang to An Thuong have now become a "miniature Korean town". Some Koreans have even settled permanently in Da Nang, Hanoi or Nha Trang. According to travel experts, Koreans have a strong sense of community, often creating groups and forums to share hotel addresses, delicious restaurants, good prices and travel experiences in Vietnam.

Korean tourists enjoy Xuan Huong Lake by horse-drawn carriage

PHOTO: LAM VIEN

Da Lat is gradually becoming a new favorite destination for Korean tourists, especially after many Korean reality TV shows were filmed here. The cool climate and romantic landscape make tourists "feel like they are at home".

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lam Dong, in 2024 the province will welcome more than 10.3 million visitors, including about 380,000 Korean visitors, accounting for over 63% of total international visitors. Mr. Jung Dong-hyeok, a member of parliament of Gyeonggi Province (South Korea), commented: "If in the past, Koreans only knew about Da Nang, now their interest in Lam Dong has increased significantly. Many Korean businesses and organizations are looking deeper to cooperate in investing and developing tourism here."

"It's no wonder Korean tourists love Vietnam"

From Seoul, Busan or Incheon, Korean tourists only need 4-5 hours of flight to reach Da Nang, Nha Trang or Ho Chi Minh City. Airlines such as Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Vietjet Air, T'way Air, Jin Air... operate more than 500 flights/week between the two countries with the highest density in Northeast Asia. Travel costs in Vietnam are much lower than in Japan or Thailand. A 4-day, 3-night vacation in Da Nang or Phu Quoc is only 60-70% of the cost compared to similar destinations.

Mr. To Ton Thanh, a Korean language lecturer at the University of Economics and Finance in Ho Chi Minh City (UEF), and founder of the A Síng Korean language center, shared: "It's no wonder that Korean customers love Vietnam so much."

According to Mr. Thanh, Korean media channels have been continuously promoting the image of Vietnam in recent years, especially Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. From reality shows, travel articles to experience clips, Vietnam appears as a tropical resort paradise just a few hours away from Korea. "Koreans like convenient travel such as flying directly, going to a resort, resting, eating and then returning home at the beginning of the week. Vietnam fully meets that."

Recently, when comparing airfares, he was surprised: "Tickets from Korea to Cam Ranh or Da Nang are so cheap, and there are countless flights. I wonder why Korean tourists don't come here in large numbers." In addition, many Korean tourists choose Vietnam as a safer, friendlier and more reliable destination.

Many employees at Nha Trang night market (now Nha Trang ward, Khanh Hoa) can communicate in Korean.

PHOTO: LE NAM

Vietnamese cuisine, especially pho, bun cha, spring rolls, and iced milk coffee, are loved by Koreans and are widely available in Seoul and Busan. Many tourists say they "ate Vietnamese pho in Korea, so they want to come here to experience the original flavor." Mr. Thanh concluded: "Beautiful scenery, delicious food, reasonable prices, hospitable people... Vietnam has enough reasons for Koreans to love and come back many times."

In addition, Vietnamese culture has many similarities with Korea such as valuing family, hospitality, safety, friendliness and few language barriers, because in most major tourist destinations there are staff who know Korean.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, more than 60% of Korean tourists to Vietnam choose to go on beach vacations. Da Nang is a popular destination for charter flights; many 4-5 star hotels have Korean-speaking staff. Nha Trang is attractive thanks to its year-round warm climate and many Korean resorts are investing heavily. Phu Quoc is on the rise with its resort system, international airport and entertainment areas such as Grand World or VinWonders.

In addition to vacations, Vietnam has also become a golf paradise for Korean tourists. According to the Korea Golf Association, in 2024, there will be more than 400,000 Korean tourists coming to Vietnam to play golf, mainly in Da Nang, Hoi An, Quy Nhon and Ho Chi Minh City, when golf course rental prices are only half of those in Korea.

According to Hankook Research 2024, Vietnam is in the top 3 favorite destinations for Koreans, just behind Japan and Thailand, but leading in the 20-40 age group. If it continues to invest in green tourism, high-end products and local experiences, Vietnam can absolutely maintain the title of "top destination for Koreans" for many years to come.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-khach-han-quoc-me-du-lich-viet-nam-185251006172802924.htm