Photo courtesy Adventure | Shutterstock/Denis Rozan

 

Vietnam is experiencing a tourism boom, driven by 3.5 million Chinese arrivals, as travelers increasingly choose it over Thailand. Safety concerns, including scams and a high-profile kidnapping in Thailand, have resulted in a 35% drop in Chinese visitors there. Meanwhile, Vietnam's allure as an undiscovered destination is drawing independent Chinese tourists, contributing to a potential $3.5 billion revenue shift in Southeast Asia's tourism industry.

 

Previously, Thailand stood as the primary destination for Chinese tourists, but recent events have reshaped travel preferences. Vietnam's visitor numbers have surged, with nearly 14 million foreign arrivals this year. Chinese tourists, in particular, increased visits by 44% through August. This influx aligns with the growing trend of Chinese travelers seeking unique experiences, diverging from traditional group tours.

 

The Vietnamese tourism sector is adapting rapidly, enhancing attractions and services to cater to Chinese tourists. The province of Quang Ninh has introduced paragliding and hot air balloon festivals to retain visitors longer. Additionally, the hospitality industry, exemplified by hotels and service providers in cities like Danang, is integrating Mandarin-speaking staff and technology to accommodate guests.

 

In contrast, Thailand is grappling with a decline in Chinese visitors, whose numbers dropped by 7% overall despite an influx from other regions such as Europe and the US. Security issues and rising costs in Thailand have tarnished its appeal. The rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing from a trafficking situation, involving a scam gang, has further exacerbated safety concerns.

 

Key Takeaways

• Vietnam’s tourism boom contrasts with Thailand’s decline due to safety concerns.
• Chinese independent travelers are favoring Vietnam for authentic experiences.
• Thailand may see recovery as it enters its peak tourism season.

 

Related Stories

Vietnam ’s Tourism Struggles Despite Visa Waivers

Thailand Turns 23 Prisons Into Tourist Destinations

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-16

 

 

6 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

In contrast, Thailand is grappling with a decline in Chinese visitors, whose numbers dropped by 7% overall despite an influx from other regions such as Europe and the US. Security issues and rising costs in Thailand have tarnished its appeal. The rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing from a trafficking situation, involving a scam gang, has further exacerbated safety concerns.

 

Not much to add, except that the Chinese actor's trafficking situation, maybe, contributed 0.5% to the decline in arrivals, and everything else 99.5%... 😆 

Vietnam is amazing. Honestly it has so much history there that you could never get bored. 

 

Infrustructure in HO CHI MINH is catching up with the metro being built. It's still fairly new to tourism.

 

It still makes Indians get a visa, and has zero tolerance on badly behaved tourists and drunks. No drugs at all here. 

 

Totally undiscovered islands without cheap backpackers / chavs around. 

 

Plenty of nightlife these days, without indians solicitating openly, or Benidorm Brits looking to smash someones head in.

 

 

Just brilliant. 

 

If i had my time again, i would have seriously looked to have set up there. 

11 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Vietnam is amazing. Honestly it has so much history there that you could never get bored. 

 

Infrustructure in HO CHI MINH is catching up with the metro being built. It's still fairly new to tourism.

 

It still makes Indians get a visa, and has zero tolerance on badly behaved tourists and drunks. No drugs at all here. 

 

Totally undiscovered islands without cheap backpackers / chavs around. 

 

Plenty of nightlife these days, without indians solicitating openly, or Benidorm Brits looking to smash someones head in.

 

 

Just brilliant. 

 

If i had my time again, i would have seriously looked to have set up there. 

I don't think I need to add anything else to this brilliant take. 

 

Thailand can thanks themselves.Safety..violence..kidnappings..scammers..prices..

Vietnam takes more and more over.Vietnam take over the rice export already.Now they get more popular for tourists.More will come.Thailand have priced themselves out with the ridiculous high thai baht.They still think it will be much better in the high season..i don't think so.They say their the HUB in this and that.Its to late to sneeze when ur nose is gone.They will never ever admit anything negative about the country.They blaming the border conflicts for loosing tourists..its much more then that.

39 minutes ago, norsurin said:

themselves.Safety..violence..kidnappings..scammers..prices

 

And frozen bank accounts

1 hour ago, norsurin said:

Thailand can thanks themselves.Safety..violence..kidnappings..scammers..prices..

Vietnam takes more and more over.Vietnam take over the rice export already.Now they get more popular for tourists.More will come.Thailand have priced themselves out with the ridiculous high thai baht.They still think it will be much better in the high season..i don't think so.They say their the HUB in this and that.Its to late to sneeze when ur nose is gone.They will never ever admit anything negative about the country.They blaming the border conflicts for loosing tourists..its much more then that.

We live in a very small world with the advent of social media. YouTube has tons of videos highlighting everything you mentioned. Thailand has its head bury in the sand. 

Ah, Vietnam, the poor man's Thailand. 

12 minutes ago, Autocan said:

Ah, Vietnam, the poor man's Thailand. 

I was there just last month, in Danang and Hoi An, never got that feeling at all. Tourism was jumping. Lots of Aussies, couples and families who would have previously gone to Phuket and Bangkok, but now giving Thailand a miss. 

4 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

If i had my time again, i would have seriously looked to have set up there. 

 

You can't.

 

No long term visa for foreigners.

 

90 day border runs for you.

 

Until one day out of the blue the VN immigration says 'no come in now.'

 

VN does not want expat retirees.

3 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

And frozen bank accounts

and ridiculous over-complicated visa procedures necessitating copious quantities of printing deforestation.

18 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

 

You can't.

 

No long term visa for foreigners.

 

90 day border runs for you.

 

Until one day out of the blue the VN immigration says 'no come in now.'

 

VN does not want expat retirees.

Says who?

Or is that just your opinion, with no facts to back it up

Thailand is going backwards, I was talking to a woman I know who works in a 4 star hotel yesterday, and it's very quiet, normally full with Chinese, 

Lets see this high season 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Vietnam is experiencing a tourism boom, driven by 3.5 million Chinese arrivals, as travelers increasingly choose it over Thailand.

They might regret that soon... Chinese bring numbers but not much else.

When they offer retirement visa I'll consider to leave Thailand

Viet Nam just needs a retirement visa, then even more will move there, in the meantime, borders are close, so, rely on border runs.

5 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Vietnam is amazing. Honestly it has so much history there that you could never get bored. 

 

Infrustructure in HO CHI MINH is catching up with the metro being built. It's still fairly new to tourism.

 

It still makes Indians get a visa, and has zero tolerance on badly behaved tourists and drunks. No drugs at all here. 

 

Totally undiscovered islands without cheap backpackers / chavs around. 

 

Plenty of nightlife these days, without indians solicitating openly, or Benidorm Brits looking to smash someones head in.

 

 

Just brilliant. 

 

If i had my time again, i would have seriously looked to have set up there. 

me to, its the only country i can afford to eat fantastic french food. !

There's a surprise! NOT.

Never fear, TAT will be here in the news shortly with a different spin on how good the tourism is and how many % increase tourists have been arriving as well as new incentives or useless tactics along with Trips for TAT employees to go to these other nations and exploit how good Thailand is compared to everywhere/anywhere else. 

 

4 hours ago, BayArea said:

We live in a very small world with the advent of social media. YouTube has tons of videos highlighting everything you mentioned. Thailand has its head bury in the sand. 

True.They belive everything will be good again soon without doing anything themselves then blaming others.

 

15 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Never fear, TAT will be here in the news shortly with a different spin on how good the tourism is and how many % increase tourists have been arriving as well as new incentives or useless tactics along with Trips for TAT employees to go to these other nations and exploit how good Thailand is compared to everywhere/anywhere else. 

 

Sure they will.I guess the trillions will be the main focus.They migth talk about the Vietnamese prostitutes in Thailand again i think.And food poison in Vietnam just for taking bad about Vietnamese people and other stuff there.

The new Vietnamese tourist infrastructure is geared for the mass Chinese style tourist trade.

.

So aside from the loss of money for the rich and powerful, what's the bad news?

1 hour ago, ozfarang said:

2 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

You can't.

 

No long term visa for foreigners.

 

90 day border runs for you.

 

Until one day out of the blue the VN immigration says 'no come in now.'

 

VN does not want expat retirees.

Says who?

Or is that just your opinion, with no facts to back it up

So tell us of your understanding of VN retirement visas..? Because you are ignorant of a fact doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. 

Better to not have long term visas otherwise just another dump

36 minutes ago, Chongalulu said:

So tell us of your understanding of VN retirement visas..? Because you are ignorant of a fact doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

 

Vietnam, as wonderful as it can be, offers no long term visas for retired expats looking to live there long term 'retired.'

 

You wanna live long term in Vietnam you have to run for the border every 90 days to get stamped back in - unless VN does a 360 and goes back to 30 day border runs - or they shut down border runs altogether.

 

At least in Thailand you know where you stand on long term visas.

 

Besides, the Chinese tourism invasion of VN is not something to take lightly.

 

Places like Danang are becoming overrun and annoying already.

Vietnam's lose, Thailand's gain.

4 hours ago, grain said:

I was there just last month, in Danang and Hoi An, never got that feeling at all. Tourism was jumping. Lots of Aussies, couples and families who would have previously gone to Phuket and Bangkok, but now giving Thailand a miss. 

Looking to make a first Visit with family to Danang. Now if I could just get the eVisa website to cooperate. I understand there is a problem with the site "freezing".

As I come up to retirement I've been proactively looking at all of the countries is SE Asia.  I've probably spend most time in China and Thailand.  Only country I have not yet gone to is Laos.  Thailand was very much top of my list for a very long time; but it isn't now.  Vietnam currently is, but I need to spend more time there to see what's behind the gloss; I doubt it's a perfect country.  The gloss in Thailand is pretty thin in places, but Thailand is still a very wonderful country with an awful lot to offer.  I just need to balance the pros & cons.

Good to see Vietnam benefiting from more tourists, and Chinese taking the pressure off Thailand. Just hope Vietnam doesn’t also get inundated. 

1 hour ago, Wrwest said:

Looking to make a first Visit with family to Danang. Now if I could just get the eVisa website to cooperate. I understand there is a problem with the site "freezing".

Is this the site you are using?

 

https://evisa.gov.vn/e-visa/foreigners

 

I've no trouble with it freezing today