Travel Thailand Loses Top Spot to Vietnam for Chinese Tourists: A Call for Action

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Vietnam Economic Times

 

In a recent tourism shake-up, Vietnam has surpassed Thailand as the leading Southeast Asian destination for Chinese tourists in the first quarter of the year. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has called for urgent government action to lower travel costs and enhance Thailand’s tourism appeal to win back visitors.

 

According to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Thailand hosted 1.3 million Chinese visitors during this period, while Vietnam welcomed 1.5 million, a significant 178% increase from the previous year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

 

Adith Chairattananon, honorary secretary-general of ATTA, attributed Vietnam's success to its strategic expansion into key markets such as China, South Korea, Russia, India, and Taiwan. Vietnam's allure includes a variety of new attractions, efficient transport networks with strong international connections, and more affordable tour packages, priced about 30% lower than those in Thailand. Additionally, Vietnam does not face the safety concerns that have impacted Thailand's reputation.

 

During a conference with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Adith proposed plans to stimulate the Chinese market in the latter half of the year. These include partnerships with Chinese tour operators to offer discounted packages via charter flights from secondary cities, intending to boost visitor numbers and quell the current decline.

 

While acknowledging concerns over the return of zero-dollar tours, Adith underlined the necessity of sustaining tourist numbers. Thailand must offer competitive pricing and promote safety to regain its position in the Chinese market.

 

 

 

To address the issue of grey businesses, ATTA suggested reducing visa-free stays for Chinese visitors to 15-30 days, to prevent misuse linked to work purposes under visa exemptions and student visas.

 

Furthermore, the association proposed a business roadshow in four Chinese cities—Hangzhou, Nanjing, Chongqing, and Changsha—to rejuvenate interest in Thailand. Chongqing's recent economic growth highlights its potential as a key engagement point.

 

ATTA also recommended inviting state-backed media and national press for a familiarisation trip to Thailand from May 28-31, hoping to rebuild rapport. However, Adith noted that past attempts to leverage key opinion leaders have been ineffective due to their reluctance to address negative perceptions of Thailand.

 

Thailand is now at a pivotal juncture, needing swift and impactful measures to regain its standing among Chinese tourists and counter the growth of its competitors in the region.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-04-24

 

 

 

[JoseThailand]

Let them all go to Vietnam

 

We don't need them here

[ozz1]

The problem is Thailand us so yesterday and with the news about abductions scams in the building industry and corruption  also  vietnam is a cheaper option for the Chinese not that we want them anyway

[Tropicalevo]

With a minimum salary of between 21 and 31 baht an hour as well as a thriving economy, maybe Vietnam is doing a lot of things right.

Lower salaries usually means cheaper costs for transport, accommodation, food etc.

It is where I go for an overseas holiday.

[ikke1959]

Vietnam is welcoming tourists, as Thailand with all the rules and laws is more and more unwelcoming tourists... It starts already by the mostly grumpy immigration, and than the taxi scam to your hotel

[Pouatchee]

ROFl... 

 

Som num na

[blaze master]

More more more more more more more more more 

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

50 years ago, Thailand was way ahead of Viet Nam on many fronts; these days the positions are reversed (except probably in the area of health care).

 

Viet Nam is innovating, moving ahead, has a higher quality of education than Thailand, and is more thoughtfully engaging with the world.  Thailand is stuck in the past.

[Gottfrid]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has called for urgent government action to lower travel costs and enhance Thailand’s tourism appeal to win back visitors

Mmmmmm......good luck with that.

[Yagoda]

So now its the turn of the Viets  to be ripped off by the Chinese zero dollar gang.

 

The countries do share a border too.

[Zack61]

Finally some good news.
Commiserations Vietnam. 

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

Let them all go to Vietnam

 

We don't need them here

Probably visiting their factories while taking in the sights

[norsurin]

Thailand have priced themselves out.The ridiculous high thai baht and expensive prices everywhere.

They think tourists is addicted to Thailand and don't realize that its not the reality.

And they let russians and other scumbags and france arabs make problems everywhere.

And they loose alot about rice export because of the high prices and again the high thai baht but they dont get it.

 

[Travi]

18 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Vietnam is welcoming tourists, as Thailand with all the rules and laws is more and more unwelcoming tourists... It starts already by the mostly grumpy immigration, and than the taxi scam to your hotel

Taxi scams? It looks you have never been in Vietnam? Worse then Thailand.

 

 

[Chongalulu]

20 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

With a minimum salary of between 21 and 31 baht an hour as well as a thriving economy, maybe Vietnam is doing a lot of things right.

Lower salaries usually means cheaper costs for transport, accommodation, food etc.

It is where I go for an overseas holiday.

Actually you're going to see a lot more of ' Vietnam surpasses Thailand " in many areas as it concentrates on its educational and manufacturing development compared to Thailand. 

[khunjeff]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has called for urgent government action to lower travel costs

 

And yet Vietnamese people come to Thailand instead of vacationing domestically within their own country because they believe costs are cheaper here...

 

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Vietnam's allure includes a variety of new attractions, efficient transport networks with strong international connections, and more affordable tour packages

 

Vietnam's transport networks are far worse than Thailand's, so I don't know what they're talking about. And TAT continues to be obsessed with tour packages and "new attractions", even though an increasing number of Chinese now travel independently, and are first time visitors who are perfectly happy to see "old attractions".

[Jack Hammer]

I have been to Vietnam. I enjoyed my vacation there, a lot cleaner than most parts of Thailand. I enjoy their food more than Thai cuisine.   People were very friendly.  

[2long]

Is this not cause for celebration?

[Trippy]

The Chinese can come to Thailand and enjoy a traditional English breakfast, why would they go anywhere else?  

[grain]

Thailand was the flavour of the month for a long long time, but it was inevitable that another SEA country would rise up become the new flavour of the month. 

[bkk6060]

No action needed. Thanks.

[ChipButty]

Why are they worried? Thai's never wanted them and they never stopped complaining about the Chinese, so now they have got what the wanted, Now they can start complaining about the Russians, 

[Nickcage49]

Good for them. Vietnam can have them.

 

2 sh#t countries that torture and eat dogs.

[Burma Bill]

8 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

50 years ago, Thailand was way ahead of Viet Nam on many fronts; these days the positions are reversed (except probably in the area of health care).

 

Viet Nam is innovating, moving ahead, has a higher quality of education than Thailand, and is more thoughtfully engaging with the world.  Thailand is stuck in the past.

 

Yes indeed - still in the age of dinosaurs!

[Burma Bill]

33 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

Good for them. Vietnam can have them.

 

2 sh#t countries that torture and eat dogs.

 

Nothing wrong with dog meat. I ate it when holidaying in Hanoi, Da Nang and HCM.

 

Photo of dog meat restaurant in Hanoi. Vietnamese sign above meat counter translates to "meat for civilians".

 

[ChipButty]

I have seen many tourist complain about the amount of dogs down the beach area's having a dump everywhere, 

[it is what it is]

9 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

50 years ago, Thailand was way ahead of Viet Nam on many fronts; these days the positions are reversed (except probably in the area of health care).

 

Viet Nam is innovating, moving ahead, has a higher quality of education than Thailand, and is more thoughtfully engaging with the world.  Thailand is stuck in the past.

 

Thailand is stuck in the past.

 

genralised and inaccurate/ignorant comment.