Vietnam has been advised  to attract more Chinese travelers

Many Vietnamese experts, however, have been divided on whether to try to attract Chinese travelers. 

Some of them doubt the economic effects they can bring to travel firms and local economies. They cite the scandals related to some Chinese travelers that have affected public order and overloaded infrastructure. 

They have also warned about the serious consequences that Vietnam may suffer if it relies heavily on the Chinese market.

Da Nang tour guides have lodged an appeal with agencies, complaining that Chinese provide tour guides operate illegally in Vietnam and distort Vietnam’s history. 

The market has also become chaotic because of the existence of zero-dong tours for Chinese. Some travel firms complain that they may should stop pursuing the Chinese market because tours sold by Chinese have fees even lower than airfares. 

As for cruise tourists, local travel firms say they made only a small amount of money in the first phase of operation, and that Chinese partners have forced the fees down for upcoming cooperation deals.

Other experts disagree, however, and believe that China is a vast market that Vietnam should exploit.

The CEO of an HCMC-based travel firm said many people think most Chinese travelers   arrive in chartered flights and cause problems when touring. 

Vietnamese companies have ‘forgotten’ to attract high-end Chinese travelers who travel abroad regularly, book tours via Ctrip or Alibaba, and pay big money during their trips, the CEO said.

He said that China could be the biggest market for Vietnam’s tourism, and that marketing and product design needs to be improved to attract more high-income travelers. 

His company is now focusing on receiving Chinese travelers from Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen.

“The opportunities are still great as there are 500 cities which can provide high-income travelers in neighboring countries,” he said.

According to Chinese agencies and Ctrip, Chinese travelers spent 9,500 yuan on average, or $1,500, during their trips on the recent Tet holiday. Thus, they spent $386 more than the average spent by foreign travelers in Vietnam.

Colin Blackwell, CEO of Nam Anh Production, Trade and Import/Export Services Company, said he believes more Chinese travelers will come to Vietnam in the time to come, and there are great opportunities to increase revenue from such visits. 

“Chinese travelers spend a lot of money, even more than travelers from the US,” said Blackwell, who is from the UK.

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