VNAT having meeting with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism

In his remarks, VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh emphasized that China continues to be a market of strategic significance for Vietnam’s tourism industry. He noted that Vietnam’s tourism authorities have consistently studied the Chinese market, monitoring visitor preferences and travel behavior to design suitable, high-quality tourism products and services. According to official statistics, Vietnam welcomed over 5.8 million Chinese visitor arrivals in 2019, nearly 3.8 million arrivals in 2024, and about 3.9 million arrrivals in the first nine months of 2025, representing a 43.9% increase year-on-year. These figures, he said, reflect the robust and growing travel exchanges between the two countries and demonstrate China’s continuing role as one of Vietnam’s largest source markets.

At the meeting, Ms. Zheng Fang, Deputy Director-General of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, warmly welcomed the Vietnamese delegation, expressing her pleasure at receiving the VNAT delegation in Beijing. She underscored the deep-rooted friendship between Vietnam and China, describing the two nations as close neighborhood.

Ms. Zheng highlighted the strong potential for tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Beijing in the new phase, noting that the number of Vietnamese visitors to Beijing has risen sharply in recent years, from 93,454 arrivals in 2024 to 112,052 arrivals in the first nine months of 2025, an increase of more than 100% over the same period last year.

During the discussion, both sides agreed to further enhance two-way information exchange on tourism market trends, coordinate bilateral promotional activities such as roadshows, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, fam trips, and press trips, and share tourism product portfolios showcasing their distinctive tourism offerings. Beijing introduced several products, including winter tourism in Yanqing, hot spring experiences, city-break itineraries, MICE travel packages, and joint Beijing-Tianjin tours. Both sides also expressed interest in moving toward the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation in the near future.

VNAT having meeting with the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism

Following the meeting, the VNAT delegation held a meeting with the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism. Mr. Zhu Yihai, Deputy Director-General of the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, introduced Tianjin’s rich and diverse urban tourism ecosystem under the theme “Tianjin Rings for You” and the brand “Haihe at Night”, which highlights the city’s night-time tourism experiences. He presented Tianjin’s product development strategy organized around three major segments: day trips, weekend getaways, and extended vacations.

Following the successful hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in September 2025, Tianjin has been accelerating its efforts to connect with major international events, aiming to position itself as a leading MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and event tourism center in the region.

Mr. Zhu reaffirmed that Tianjin regards Vietnam as an important tourism cooperation partner, and expressed his hope to strengthen mutual exchange activities, increase promotional visibility, and boost air connectivity between the two destinations. He also extended a warm invitation for Vietnam to participate in the upcoming China Culture & Tourism Industry Expo 2026, which will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Tianjin.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh gifting souvenir to Ms. Zheng Fang, Deputy Director-General of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh gifting souvenir Mr. Zhu Yihai, Deputy Director-General of the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism

In response, VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh praised Tianjin’s tourism vision and development strategy, emphasizing that the city’s focus on event-based tourism and cultural creativity aligns closely with Vietnam’s own development direction. He proposed that the two sides consider signing a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation, aimed at enhancing two-way promotion, encouraging the opening of direct flight routes, and jointly developing linked tourism products such as Urban-Culinary-MICE tours connecting Beijing, Tianjin, and Vietnam.

The Tianjin side expressed high agreement in principle with VNAT’s proposals, affirming its commitment to close coordination for early implementation.

These cooperative initiatives are taking place as Vietnam and China celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1950-2025). They also form part of the ongoing 2023-2027 Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Plan between the Vietnam's Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism and China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism

By promoting two-way tourism exchanges, signing cooperation agreements, and expanding air connectivity, both sides aim to further increase visitor flows, enhance tourism service quality, and improve the overall competitiveness and attractiveness of destinations in both nations.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh expressed confidence that continued coordination and joint marketing between Vietnam, Beijing, and Tianjin will create new opportunities for tourism businesses, help diversify product offerings, and strengthen mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. He affirmed that Vietnam welcomes visitors from China and will continue to create favorable conditions for bilateral tourism growth, contributing to the development of peaceful, stable, and prosperous relations between Vietnam and China.

Tourism Information Technology Center