The number of Chinese visitors to central Vietnam has rebounded after sharp drops that followed the tensions in the East Sea triggered by China’s illegal deployment of a giant oil rig and a large number of escort ships well in Vietnam’s waters in May last year.

Before May last year, Danang City handled 20 weekly flights from China, including 15 chartered and five scheduled flights. But the chartered flights on 13 air routes linking China and the central coastal city were then called off after the tensions broke in the East Sea in May.

However, the number of flights linking China and Danang has rebounded and increased to 21 flights per week.

Tran Chi Cuong, deputy director of the Danang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the number of flights from Chinese-speaking markets has bounced back and grown. “There are two more flights this month,” he said.

As usual, Chinese tourists come to Danang via chartered flights to explore attractions and stay at resorts in this city, Hoi An and Hue.

Khanh Hoa Province has reported a resumption of flights from China. Since mid-January, the province has received chartered flights of Sichuan Airlines with two weekly services.

Local airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, and VietJetAir now operate 40 weekly flights linking Cam Ranh City in Khanh Hoa Province with China’s Beijing, Kunming, Xianyang, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Ningbo.

Some local travel agencies have reported positive business results from Chinese-speaking markets.

Saigontourist has signed a contract with a Chinese partner to organize tours for nearly 1,000 Chinese travelers to Nha Trang City on chartered flights between January and March.

China is the largest visitor-generating market of Vietnam with more than 1.9 million tourists last year, up 2.1% against the previous year.