South Korea is reaffirming its commitment to Vietnam as a key strategic market for tourism in 2026, accelerating efforts to attract visitors. The expansion of the 10-year multiple-entry visa, focused support for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and large-scale roadshows are set to enhance tourism exchanges between the two countries.
According to various Vietnamese media outlets, including Bao Dau Tu (Investment News), the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) office in Vietnam announced that the South Korean government has expanded the eligibility for the 10-year multiple-entry visa (C-3-91) since the end of March. This new eligibility includes residents of Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as individuals with travel histories to OECD countries, employees of major South Korean investment firms, and executives and their families from large Vietnamese companies. Park Eun-jung, head of the KTO Vietnam office, stated, "The South Korean government is working to facilitate visits from Vietnamese tourists, and expanding the 10-year multiple-entry visa for residents of major cities is a prime example of this effort."
The impact of the visa relaxation is already evident in the numbers. According to KTO, over 167,000 Vietnamese visited South Korea from January to March 2026, marking a 29.6% increase compared to the same period last year. As of April, the growth rate continued at over 10%. Notably, the MICE sector saw a significant increase, supporting 12,888 visitors through April, up 64.4% from 7,838 during the same period last year.
In this context, KTO held the '2026 Korea Travel Roadshow' in Da Nang on May 20 and in Ho Chi Minh City on May 22. The events featured participation from 22 South Korean organizations and companies, along with over 100 Vietnamese travel agencies, facilitating B2B consultations and discussions on new product development. BenThanh Tourist hosted a workshop in Da Nang titled "Discover Your Own Korea" to expand MICE demand in the central region. The company reported operating MICE groups of up to 200 people through its Da Nang and Hue branches in the past year and the first quarter of this year.
Product strategies are also diversifying. KTO is supporting marketing costs for specialized programs related to K-culture, sports, study tours, charter flights, and heritage-linked products, covering 50% to 80% of expenses, along with experience support ranging from 500,000 to 1,200,000 VND (approximately $21 to $52) per person. The 'All-in-K' campaign, which involves collaboration between South Korean airlines, banks, and online travel platforms, will be rolled out gradually starting at the end of May.
Da Nang is emerging as a major gateway for tourism exchanges between Vietnam and South Korea. From January to April this year, 823,000 South Korean tourists visited Da Nang, accounting for 21.75% of all foreign visitors. Currently, direct flights operate from four cities: Incheon, Busan, Daegu, and Cheongju, with 13 airlines servicing these routes. However, there are concerns that rising operational costs may lead to reduced flight frequencies on some routes.
Cultural exchange projects are also being pursued. The 'K-Vietnam Valley' being developed in Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk, is based on the historical story of Ly Long Tuong, a descendant of the Vietnamese royal family who fled to Korea in the 13th century. This project is being promoted as a symbolic initiative to attract Vietnamese tourists this year.
Park Eun-jung emphasized, "Vietnam is one of the most important markets for South Korean tourism. Through this roadshow, we aim to strengthen connections between businesses in both countries and continue to provide substantial support." The strategy combines visa relaxation, MICE support, and cultural projects to sustain the growth of Vietnamese tourists visiting South Korea.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.