In 2024, the number of Vietnamese visitors to Japan will reach a record of 621,100 people. In 2025, the positive growth trend will continue, with the total number of visitors in the first 5 months of the year reaching 311,700 people, an increase of 9.6% over the same period last year.
On the other hand, in 2024, Vietnam welcomed nearly 700,000 Japanese visitors. In the first month of 2025, Vietnam welcomed more than 340,000 Japanese visitors, an increase of 18.3% over the same period last year.
According to Ms. Matsumoto Fumi - Chief Representative of the Japan Tourism Promotion Agency in Vietnam, the continuous efforts of tourism units and organizations in both Vietnam and Japan have promoted tourism activities between the two countries.
The things Vietnamese tourists want most when traveling to Japan are watching cherry blossoms, autumn leaves and snowfall and the need to discovering culture, cuisine and drinks is increasing. In addition, hot water is one of the topics that is becoming increasingly popular as a post-COVID-19 trend - Ms. Matsumoto Fumi answered Lao Dong.
Ms. Matsumoto Fumi assessed that the Vietnamese market still has great potential for development. Because, the survey shows that about 80% of Vietnamese tourists have never been to Japan.
Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam Ishikawa Isamu emphasized the strong growth potential of the Vietnamese tourism market as the economy is developing rapidly, expected to become one of the top 20 economies in the world by 2036.
Mr. Ishikawa Isamu said that the two sides need to promote cooperation, develop tourism products and promote people-to-people exchanges, aiming to exchange 2 million two-way visitors by 2030.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy assessed tourism as one of the pioneering fields, playing a role as a cultural, emotional and human bridge between Vietnam and Japan - two countries that are each other's Comprehensive Strategic Partners.
According to Mr. Pham Van Thuy, Japan is also a strategic partner in sustainable tourism development. Cooperation projects on human resource training, high-end tourism product development, heritage conservation and application of smart technology in destination management are being implemented between the two sides.
On this occasion, to expand cooperation opportunities between businesses of the two countries, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) in Vietnam organized a Workshop and Trade Connection to promote Japanese tourism in Hanoi.
This is an opportunity for businesses, organizations and management agencies of both sides to exchange directly, introduce products, share market information and more importantly, create and strengthen specific, practical and effective cooperative relationships.
In 2025, the Expo Osaka- Kansai World Exhibition is considered by JNTO to be an important opportunity to attract visitors to localities to explore and promote destinations that are not yet widely known.
Through this international event, Vietnamese travel companies also have the opportunity to survey new tours as well as other destinations in Japan, increasing new experiences for tourists.
