vietnam chinese tourists

+60% Chinese Tourists to Vietnam

The flagship destination of Chinese tourists for 2018? Vietnam without undoubtedly, which records a phenomenal increase of Chinese visitors : more than 60% of additional Chinese tourists were welcomed in 2017 compared to the previous year. This figure could increase further during the year to come!

We can see an increasing number of travellers from China are choosing Vietnam as their destination +53 percent of all international visitors to Vietnam in the first quarter of the year, according to the latest report from the Vietnam “General Statistics Offic”e.

1.36 million Chinese travellers to Vitenam

  • A massive 1.36 million Chinese tourists arrived in the first 3months,
  • +42.9% from the same period last year

Tourism in Vietnam becoming “Red” 


Vietnam received more than 4.2 million International Travellers  in the 1st quarter, +31 %  from a year ago, according to the Vietnam statistics.

Tourism in Vietnam is experiencing a 31% growth in international tourism; in 2017, 4.2 million international tourists came to enjoy the charms of this beautiful country. Asian tourists lead the way; South Korean and Chinese alone account for 53% of Vietnam’s annual tourism, more than half of visitors.
During the first tourist quarter of Vietnam, no less than 1.36 million Chinese tourists moved to Vietnam. This represents an increase of no less than 42% of visitors from China to Vietnam!

Simplification of the VISA process

The Vietnam governement Set up a easy to get Visa for Chinese People , easy to get (see example of application in this Visa Company website)

 

chinese tourists asia

 

Vietnam tourism… speaking about the facts!


The favorite season of Chinese tourists? Certainly not summer, much too hot for them. They prefer to travel in winter and spring, when the temperatures are pleasant, and preferably the seaside to breathe fresh air. It’s good, because one of the three golden weeks is during the Chinese New Year! This explains why the arrivals of Chinese tourists in Vietnam focus on the first quarter of the year.


During this period, the arrivals of Chinese tourist are estimated at 5000 per day, stretching endlessly at the tail end of the airports or ferry terminal. Yes, there are still many to choose the organized group tour to reduce the costs. They are not hundreds, but several thousands to wait, passport in their hand, to cross the Vietnamese border and start the adventure.

 


By the way, do Chinese tourists necessarily travel to Vietnam by plane? Well, no. According to statistics from the Quang Ninh mainland seaport, which says it opened the doors to no less than 600 cruise ships in a fortnight – a record! – with more than 70 percent Chinese passengers. The geographical proximity of Vietnam to China allows a trip by sea, much less expensive than the plane. Of course, that’s not to mention the regular wrecks of boats with dubious technical control, but that’s another subject.

 

The reasons Why  Vietnam “seduces” Chinese tourists


The reappearance of “Zero Dollar” tours


Zero Dollar tours, what did you say ? These are tours officially set up by the Vietnamese Government and supported by Chinese investors. The principle of these tours is simple: accommodation and meals on a simple basis are free, but mandatory shopping stops are an integral part of the travel plan, and tourists are urged to lighten their wallet. These souvenir shops are of course run by Chinese investors, even though they are under the ownership of Vietnamese.


How can these tours finance themselves? It is a pure marketing strategy born from the association of travel agencies with these souvenir shops, which share the income from these forced shopping stops.


A honnest
principle? Absolutely not, since these are shops exclusively reserved for Chinese tourists on these organized trips, and the Vietnamese locals themselves are not allowed to enter.

 

When Zero Dollar tours became a problem


A deal that agrees to both parts ? Not necessarily, because these incentives to purchase are a real harassment coming from the tour guide’s side. This problem is already well-known to Western tourists of the first hour in China, who have experienced the same in organized trips, before the medias coverage of the phenomenon.


The margin applied on these products is of course much higher than that of the real market, to compensate for the “offered” basis of the travel. In the end, tourists would end up spending more on on-site shopping than the real cost of traveling in those rustic accommodation and mass transportation.

 


If we are to believe the increase in complaints from Chinese tourists, it would not be just harassment and moral pressure to encourage the purchase: tourists report being physically attacked for refusing to spend their money in these stores. These complaints led to the closure of about fifteen stores and an official investigation. Nevertheless, the Zero Dollar tours are starting again this year, without discouraging Chinese tourists who come back in force!


This is not a phenomenon that exclusively affects tourism in Vietnam: Thailand also practices Zero Dollar Tours.

 

Vietnam relies on Chinese tourists


Vietnam needs Chinese tourists, the first source market for international visitors. Tourism spending could contribute 10% of the Vietnamese economy in 2020, if growth continues!


The country hopes to receive 20 million international visitors and increase its income by 15% each year. A very ambitious estimate, which is probably not in line with the country’s environmental protection, an area in which much remains to be done in every developing country.

 

How Vietnam facilitates the arrival of Chinese tourists

 

Halong Bay attracts a maximum of Chinese tourists for its symbolic beauty, but not only. Located in Quang Ninh province, the decision has recently been made to allow organized Chinese tourist groups to stay up to 72h without a tourist visa, which greatly facilitates the comings and goings.

 

vietnam chinese tourists


Some countries already have a visa exemption, such as South Korea and Japan. In view of Vietnam’s desire to attract more and more Asian and international tourists, the procedure should extend to the main EU countries, which are economically rich.


Visa procedures are also simplified for short-term travelers or regular business trips: they can now be done online.


Beyond the visa procedures, these are also advertising campaigns set up in mainland China in medium-sized cities, targeting the average Chinese population and boasting Vietnam destination.


Let’s see if these strategies bring the expected return!

 

Use Forums, Shopping App  to market your touristic offer

  1. market your offer on Chinese forums can be a good way to attract Chinese tourists
  2. Optimize your result on Chinese search Engine Baidu is a second step.
  3. Get massive visibility with advertiing , and DSP
  4. Use social media to Engage your Audience

Be innovative.

The Little Red Book app is THE new e-commerce tool for China. This rising app is dedicated to e-commerce and … to shopaholics! Thanks to their well-targeted communication and a successful strategy, the app is making a name for itself in China and is even beginning to expand its influence abroad.

Little Red Book is a platform that allows buyers to discover new products, share their customer reviews of these products and exchange ideas and tips.

The main topics? Fashion and cosmetics first, but no last with lifestyle and travel. The platform therefore relies on the tremendous mutual help of the travelers among them, always ready to give their little advice or personal experience. This emulation worked and created a whole community of active users. It is reaching the point that it becomes difficult to rise with e-commerce in China without including Little Red Book in your strategy.

Some tips for you :

• Use KOL to spread a positive image of your products and put them on stage. So users will feel more confident to invest in your brand.
• Translating your packaging into Mandarin Chinese is a must have to facilitate your implementation.
• Good management of your e-reputation is essential from the moment when users will comment on your products. You have to boost the positive comments and react immediately in case of complaints to avoid tarnishing the image of your products. Knowing that the web is fierce, the scope of a bad comment is ten times greater than the one of a positive comment.

 

 

Our Chinese Tourist Agency is specialized about Chinese tourism trends. We write regular articles about Chinese tourism.


We help foreign entrepreneurs to develop their digital communication with Chinese travelers. We are well known for our SEO work and our approach to e-commerce in China. We master Chinese social networks and help you control your e-reputation.
Together, we will put in place the best communication to Chinese customers and we will develop your Little Red Book strategy. Thanks to us, e-commerce in China is at your fingertips!

You are in the tourism industry and need our advice to promote your touristic destination in order to target the Chinese customers? Do not hesitate to contact one of our experts via our contact form for more information.

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2 Comments

  1. hello

    thank you soo much for the tips , im gonna implement as much as i can to
    attract tourists to my beach side restaurant in Latin America.

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