Vietnam Welcomes Over 15.4 Million International Visitors in Nine Months
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According to VNA correspondents in France, this is also one of the highlights at the World Tourism Exhibition currently taking place at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center in Paris.

Held from March 13-16, the World Tourism Exhibition is one of the major tourism events in France, bringing together hundreds of travel companies, tourism promotion agencies, and destinations from around the world. The event attracts a large number of visitors, experts, and businesses seeking information, building travel programs, and exploring new destinations globally.

International tourists visit Hanoi's Old Quarter (Photo: Thanh Tung/VNA)

At this year’s exhibition, Vietnam continues to be one of the destinations receiving strong interest from French businesses and tourists. Than Thi Thanh, Director of QAsia Travel, said international arrivals to Vietnam have grown significantly in recent years, with France remaining an important market. With 15 years of experience in tourism, she noted that after the COVID-19 pandemic, demand from French travelers to Vietnam has increased steadily. According to her, French tourists are particularly interested in Vietnam’s cultural, historical, and traditional values. Authentic experiences such as exploring mountainous regions, learning about ethnic communities, enjoying local cuisine, and discovering the country’s history are especially appealing to them.

Sharing this view, Than Duc Manh, Executive Director of Vietnam Original Travel, said participation in the World Tourism Exhibition in Paris is an important opportunity to promote Vietnam’s tourism image to the European market, especially French visitors. With nearly 20 years of experience in this market, the company designs travel programs tailored differently from traditional tours, focusing on cultural exploration and homestay experiences to allow tourists to immerse themselves in local life. In addition, eco-resorts in remote areas are being developed to promote community-based tourism and provide unique experiences.

Regarding challenges in attracting French tourists, Than Duc Manh noted that airfares remain high, and recently some transit flights via Doha and Dubai have been canceled due to the impact of conflicts in the Middle East. However, he believes these are temporary factors and will not have a long-term impact on the growing number of French visitors to Vietnam.

From an international perspective, Frederic Poirier, Regional Director for Southeast Asia, India, and Oceania at Nomade Aventure, said Vietnam has long been an important destination in the company’s adventure travel programs. According to him, Nomade Aventure began organizing tours to Vietnam in the 1990s, and after nearly 30 years, the country continues to attract visitors thanks to its cultural diversity and ethnic communities. Tourists can engage in various nature-based activities, from light trekking to more challenging journeys, while also exploring the country’s rich cultural heritage.

In addition, the diversity of tourism types is a major advantage of Vietnam. Visitors can experience mountain tourism, beach resorts, travel across the country by train, or explore rapidly developing urban areas. Poirier noted that he visited Vietnam two months ago and was particularly impressed by the modern development of Ho Chi Minh City.

Not only travel businesses, but many French tourists have also expressed a desire to visit Vietnam. Evelyne, a Paris-based visitor attending the exhibition to plan her upcoming holiday, said she has long wanted to visit Vietnam after watching many documentaries about the country. Beyond its beautiful landscapes, she is especially interested in the Vietnamese people. Having many Vietnamese friends in Paris, she finds them refined and emotionally expressive, and hopes to visit Vietnam to experience the country firsthand, meet locals, and better understand its culture.

Meanwhile, Julien Souquet shared that he took a 15-day trip to northern Vietnam last September with his parents. During the trip, his family visited ethnic communities, stayed in homestays, and shared daily life with locals. He described it as a memorable experience and hopes to return to Vietnam in the near future.

Earlier, a survey released on March 11 by the organizers of the World Tourism Exhibition showed that Vietnam ranks among the most searched destinations by French tourists today, alongside Asian countries such as Japan and Thailand. The survey also highlighted a growing trend among French travelers seeking long-haul destinations rich in cultural and natural experiences, with Vietnam emerging as an attractive choice in Asia.

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