Saigontourist Travel Service Company has clinched a deal with a Chinese firm to serve around 1,000 Chinese tourists on chartered flights to Nha Trang City.

Chinese visitors at the Cam Ranh Airport.

The first 160 guests last week joined a tour of architectural monuments and beautiful landscapes such as Nha Trang Cathedral, Ponagar Tower and Long Son Pagoda.

China is the largest visitor-generating market of Vietnam but Chinese tourist arrivals have slid since the East Sea tensions last May. Few large groups of Chinese travelers have come to Vietnam since then.

Vo Anh Tai, general director of the company, said Vietnam should pay more attention to the Chinese market because more and more Chinese are traveling abroad. Many countries are keen on China as a major market.

Chinese tourists are willing to spend on various services in Vietnam, including luxury cruise tours.

“We are ready to promote tours in this market, but we also need support from tourism authorities. Relevant agencies should introduce Vietnam as a safe destination for Chinese-speaking visitors, especially those from mainland China,” said Tai.

In addition to the 1,000 tourists, the company is serving Chinese tourists coming to Vietnam on international flights and cruise ships of Costa Crociere S.p.A.