Speaking to the UAE’s The National newspaper, Emily Jenkins, head of product and digital solutions at DW Travel - a travel agency in Dubai, said that the CEPA will simplify travel, trade and investment links between the UAE and Viet Nam, and tourism will naturally benefit from that momentum. "A simplified visa process for UAE residents travelling to Viet Nam would remove a key challenge we often face when driving business to new destinations," she said.
Viet Nam’s first CEPA with a Middle Eastern nation is aimed to unlock 20 billion USD in bilateral trade. As part of the deal, the UAE agreed to phase out tariffs on 99% of Viet Nam's exports, and Viet Nam pledged to remove tariffs on 98.5% of the UAE's exports.
A boost for tourism is expected to come from a new direct route launched by Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways to Hanoi, Viet Nam's capital city, this month, becoming the first airline to connect the destinations. The carrier will operate six flights a week on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, in a two-class configuration.
Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, chief operations and guest officer at Etihad Airways, told The National that the direct air route reflects the significant trade between the UAE and Viet Nam. The new route will cater to both business and leisure passengers.
Trade between Viet Nam and the UAE has grown significantly, with the UAE the Southeast Asian country’s largest trading partner in the Middle East.
Viet Nam's exports to the UAE include electronics, textiles, footwear, seafood and agricultural products, while the UAE exports petroleum products, metals and fertilisers to Viet Nam.
Al Marzouqi said Hanoi is a new gateway to explore for people in the UAE as well as passengers from Europe to fly through Abu Dhabi.
Travellers from Hanoi can also connect to the rest of the world through Abu Dhabi, utilising the stopover programme in the UAE’s capital city for two nights free of cost, he added.
Jenkins said that UAE-based travellers are increasingly looking for new, authentic destinations in Asia beyond traditional favourites like Thailand or Bali, and Viet Nam offers “a perfect mix of culture, nature and value”.
She explained that they are already noticing growing search and booking interest for Viet Nam among UAE travellers, particularly to destinations like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Airlines have started to respond with more capacity and competitive fares.
Joint marketing between national carriers, tourism boards and hoteliers would also help position Viet Nam as a top emerging destination for Gulf travellers, she suggested.
UAE travel agencies need to collaborate with airlines, hotels and trusted destination management companies in Viet Nam to curate relevant itineraries, according to Jenkins.
On Viet Nam’s side, strengthening Halal certification, language training for guides and increased awareness of Muslim-friendly infrastructure would also make a major difference in converting interest into bookings.
