A top choice for Korean tourists
According to data from the Korea Tourism Organisation, the number of Korean visitors to Southeast Asia increased from nearly 2.5 million in 2022 to 9.8 million in 2024. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, ASEAN is estimated to have welcomed around 6.1 million Korean visitors. This demonstrates a solid recovery momentum and a growing demand for overseas travel in this market.
Within this overall picture, Viet Nam has emerged as an outstanding destination. In 2023, Viet Nam welcomed 3.6 million Korean visitors, accounting for nearly 47% of the total number of Korean visitors to ASEAN.
In 2024, this figure rose to 4.6 million out of a total of 9.8 million visitors to Southeast Asia. Notably, in just the first nine months of 2025, Viet Nam welcomed 3.2 million Korean visitors, equivalent to nearly 53% of the total number of Korean visitors to ASEAN during that period.
These figures show that Viet Nam is not only a key market but also the top priority choice for Korean tourists in Southeast Asia, far surpassing other competing destinations in the region.
The Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism noted that Viet Nam’s dominance on the Korean tourism map also reflects structural and long-term competitive advantages.
Geographical proximity and convenient air connectivity are considered key factors. Short flight times and a dense network of direct flights connecting major Korean cities such as Seoul and Busan with Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc make Viet Nam a suitable choice for tourists who prefer short trips and flexible leisure travel.
According to the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism, Viet Nam is chosen by Korean visitors not only for its convenience and competitive costs but also for its comprehensive suitability in terms of experiences, safety, emotional appeal, and a sense of closeness. This is an important foundation for the Korean visitor market to continue growing in a steady, sustainable, and deep manner, making a positive contribution to Viet Nam’s tourism development goals in the coming period.
The appeal of Viet Nam as a destination for Korean tourists
In the context of global tourism being affected by various geopolitical and security uncertainties, a stable political and social environment, along with a high level of security and safety, continues to be an important competitive advantage for Viet Nam compared with many other destinations in the region and worldwide.
Alongside this, cultural affinity, adaptable cuisine, the friendliness of local people, and a service ecosystem increasingly familiar to Korean tourists have contributed to enhancing experiences and satisfaction levels.
The positive spillover effects from key opinion leaders (KOLs), social media, and the Korean community living and working in Viet Nam, combined with increasingly open visa policies and well-structured market promotion activities, have helped to reinforce the sustainable appeal of Viet Nam as a destination.
In addition, Viet Nam’s accommodation system, tourism services, and dining and shopping facilities continue to expand and improve in quality, meeting diverse needs ranging from families and young travellers to senior visitors and business travellers.
The Viet Nam tourism brand also offers a portfolio of tourism products that closely match the preferences of the Korean market. Notable among these are beach and resort tourism, golf tourism, wellness tourism, MICE tourism, and blended business–leisure travel models.
Destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc are not only familiar destinations but have also become top priority choices in the minds of Korean tourists, with strong visibility across media platforms and social networks.
According to the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism, Viet Nam is chosen by Korean visitors not only for its convenience and competitive costs but also for its comprehensive suitability in terms of experiences, safety, emotional appeal, and a sense of closeness. This is the key foundation for the Korean visitor market to continue growing in a steady, sustainable, and deep manner, contributing positively to Viet Nam’s tourism development objectives in the period ahead.
