Tag: Air travel

Malaysia Attracts Almost 29 Million Foreign Tourists in First 8 Months of 2026

Malaysia Attracts Almost 29 Million Foreign Tourists in First 8 Months of 2026

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Malaysia is unsurprisingly the top tourist destination of Southeast Asia as it successfully attracted almost 29 million foreign tourists during the first eight months of 2026, according to a news article by VnExpress. Having attracted over 42 million foreign tourists last year, Malaysia is aiming for 47 million this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Malaysia’s tourism sector continues to show positive momentum, recording 28.8 million international visitors from January to August this year, up 1.8% year on year and retaining its crown as Southeast Asia’s most visited country.

Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director-General (Promotion) Mohd Akbal Setia said the strong performance reflects Malaysia’s continued appeal as a tourism destination and underscores the importance of strengthening international tourism partnerships, The Sun Malaysia reported.

Mohd Akbal said tourism is an important economic driver, contributing more than 15% to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP), with its benefits extending across the tourism value chain to support businesses and livelihoods, from hotels and e-hailing services to local artisans and family-run restaurants, Malay Mail reported.

Thailand, traditionally the region’s favorite, ranked second after welcoming 20.93 million foreign tourists in the first eight months of 2026, down 3.08% from the same period last year, Bangkok Post reported.

Vietnam followed Thailand with nearly 16 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of 2026, increasing 14.4% from the same period in 2025 and equivalent to 63.6% of the full-year target, according to the General Statistics Office.

Malaysia has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s tourism bright spots in recent years, supported by flexible visa policies and infrastructure improvements.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you have visited Malaysia over the past six months, what do you think makes it a very attractive destination for tourists from around the world? Do you think Malaysia has enough momentum to achieve its target of 47 million foreign tourists by the end of the year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Tourism Insiders Say Easier Entry, Stronger Connectivity and Better Tourism Services Are Needed

Vietnam Tourism Insiders Say Easier Entry, Stronger Connectivity and Better Tourism Services Are Needed

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Having attracted almost eighteen million foreign tourists in the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam is clearly one of the must-visit places not only in Southeast Asia but in Asia as a whole. For some tourism insiders, however, Vietnam needs easier entry, strong connectivity by air and land and better tourism services to bridge the so-called competitiveness gap with its Southeast Asian neighbors, according to a news article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam needs easier entry, stronger air and land connectivity, better tourism services, and stricter environmental enforcement to bridge its competitiveness gap with Southeast Asian rivals, tourism insiders have said.

The country climbed seven places to 52nd out of 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, its highest ranking since the Covid-19 pandemic.

But it ranked behind major Southeast Asian markets. Singapore was 13th globally, Indonesia was 23rd, Malaysia was 26th, and Thailand was 38th.

The expansion of visa-free policy for more nationalities remains an important feature of Vietnam’s strategy to develop its tourism industry.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, a chain of Vietnamese luxury resorts, tells VnExpress International: “Vietnam should continue to make entry as frictionless as possible. Visa policies have improved considerably, but we should continue benchmarking ourselves against the easiest destinations in the region.”

Every additional administrative barrier matters when an international traveler can choose between Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other destinations, he says.

Vietnam has made it easier for foreign visitors to enter and stay in the country, including through 90-day e-visas and 45-day visa exemptions for citizens of 24 countries, including several in Europe.

But the country has not yet waived visas for some major tourism markets such as China and India, unlike Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Vietnam also needs stronger air connectivity, with more direct flights from major cities in Europe, Australia, North America, India, and the Middle East as connections influence long-haul travelers’ destination choices, Koerner adds.

Dr Matt Kim, a lecturer in tourism and hospitality management at RMIT Vietnam, says infrastructure and accessibility require further improvement, particularly international air connectivity and transport links between destinations in the country.

Long Thanh International Airport scheduled to begin commercial operation later this year will be transformational, but an airport alone does not create a destination, he says.

Efficient connections between airports and tourism centers, better roads, rail infrastructure, and seamless domestic transportation will be equally important, he says.

He wants the tourism industry to improve service quality and develop skilled professionals.

“To compete more effectively with regional destinations such as Thailand and Singapore, Vietnam needs to improve not only its facilities, but also service standards and professional training.“

Environmental pollution is another concern, with foreign tourists frequently complaining about it despite praising Vietnam’s scenery.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you agree with the opinions of the tourism insiders about what Vietnam needs to do to remain competitive with its regional neighbors? If you have been to Vietnam over the past six months, how do you rate the quality of entry, tourism services, air-land connectivity and the tourism workers? With the way things are going now, do you think Vietnam will be able to attract 30 million foreign tourists in 2027 or 2028?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Singapore Leads Southeast Asia in Tourism Development

Singapore Leads Southeast Asia in Tourism Development

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Singapore emerged as the best among the economies of Southeast Asia in the 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF), according to a news report of VnExpress. Globally, Singapore ranked 13th in a field of 110 economies.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Singapore ranked 13th among 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, the highest position among ASEAN.

The city state scored 4.89 points, up 3.4 percentage points from 2024 in the biennial ranking released on Friday by the World Economic Forum, an international advocacy non-governmental organization and think tank based in Switzerland.

Indonesia ranked at 23rd, followed by Malaysia at 26th, Thailand at 38th, Vietnam at 52nd, the Philippines at 57th, and Laos at 75th.

The index measures factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient development of tourism like business environment, safety and health conditions, price competitiveness, air transport infrastructure, ground and port infrastructure, tourist services and infrastructure, natural resources, and cultural resources.

Singapore received high scores in business environment, safety and security, travel policy and enabling conditions, and infrastructure and services.

Singapore, the second largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia by nominal GDP, is known for its strict laws and low crime rates. It has earned (its) reputation as one of the safest countries in Asia.

The city-state is ramping up investment in large-scale tourism infrastructure as it seeks to strengthen its position as a leading travel and business hub in Asia.

The government announced a S$740 million (US$584 million) tourism funding package, more than twice the S$300 million allocated under the Tourism Development Fund in 2024, in May to strengthen industry resilience until 2040.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you visited Singapore over the past twelve months? Do you think Singapore can keep innovating and improving itself on tourism development?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Attracts 17.7 Million Foreign Tourists in First 9 Months of 2026

Vietnam Attracts 17.7 Million Foreign Tourists in First 9 Months of 2026

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Vietnam successfully attracted 17.7 million foreign tourists during the first nine months of 2026 having China, South Korea and Russia as their top 3 tourist markets, according to a news report by VnExpress. As it currently stands, Vietnam saw its foreign tourist count rise by 14.5% compared to the year before and it is looking more likely for the nation to exceed its 2025 overall foreign tourist count of 21.2 million by the end of this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5% year-on-year, bucking a decline in arrivals across several Southeast Asian destinations.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.95 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.05 million visitors, or 17.3%.

Russia ranked third with 1.1 million, followed by Taiwan (964,000) and the U.S. (746,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (688,000), Japan (674,000), India (670,000), the Philippines (522,000) and Australia (485,000).

In September, foreign visitors declined by 11.3% from August but rose by 16.5% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, a chain of luxury resort hotels in Vietnam, said what is particularly encouraging is Vietnam’s diversification of source markets.

European arrivals increased by more than 50%, while arrivals from markets including the United States, Australia and India also recorded strong growth. This makes Vietnam less dependent on only one or two major Asian source markets, he added.

“Vietnam is no longer seen simply as an inexpensive holiday destination. Increasingly, it is being

recognized as a destination capable of delivering sophisticated, world-class hospitality,” Koerner said.

Several Southeast Asian countries have faced declines in international arrivals amid the impact of the Middle East crisis.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you visited Singapore over the past twelve months? Do you think Singapore can keep innovating and improving itself on tourism development? Do you know anyone who visited Vietnam recently and mentioned positive things about their tour? How interested are you right now to visit Vietnam?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Department of Tourism Adjusts Strategy Toward Investment, Jobs and Connectivity

Department of Tourism Adjusts Strategy Toward Investment, Jobs and Connectivity

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Remember a few years ago when the Department of Tourism (DOT) unveiled an ambitious plan to establish the Philippines as a major tourism player in Asia? A lot has changed since then as economic growth of the country has slowed down tremendously and there is not much it can do to compete with others when it comes to attracting a lot of foreign tourists. That said, the DOT under its new leader is not only doing a campaign rebrand but also a notable adjustment of its strategy toward investment, jobs and connectivity, according to a news report by The Daily Tribune.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of The Daily Tribune. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is shifting its focus beyond visitor arrivals, placing greater emphasis on investments, infrastructure, connectivity, jobs and higher tourism revenues as it seeks to build a more competitive and sustainable industry.

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the agency is pursuing an investment-driven and people-centered approach as the sector continues to make a significant contribution to the economy.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that tourism accounted for 8.1% of the economy in 2025, generating P2.27 trillion in Tourism Direct Gross Value Added and supporting 7.70 million jobs.

“We want to be defined as an agency that’s proactively taking the lead in tourism readiness. This means strengthening our airports and gateways, improving our physical tourism infrastructure, and expanding air connectivity, so our visitors can move seamlessly across the country,” Angara-Mathay said.

The DOT is working with the Department of Transportation and other stakeholders to expand flights and establish air and sea links with strategic and emerging markets. From January 1 to May 19, international air seats on direct inbound flights reached 7.78 million, up 8.31% from the same period in 2025.

China was among the fastest-growing markets, with 310,000 arrivals during the period, up 69.15% year-on-year. The Philippines also secured expanded air services with Türkiye, doubling Manila-Istanbul flights to 14 weekly and opening frequency rights for secondary gateways.

To attract more investment, the DOT is implementing programs focused on tourism investment readiness, intelligence, accountability and strategic investor engagement. It has also begun developing partnerships in Japan, including potential projects involving a specialty medical clinic and telecommunications infrastructure in underserved destinations.

The agency is also pushing for a larger tourism marketing budget, with about 70% of its planned 2027 marketing allocation expected to go toward digital campaigns and media placements.

At the same time, the DOT is expanding support for tourism MSMEs through partnerships with Klook, GCash, Viber, Mastercard and Visa, while strengthening accreditation, workforce training and tourism data systems.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the DOT will be able to make the tourism sector of the Philippines more attractive towards investors and large businesses that could potentially add a lot of economic value? How many news tourism jobs do you think could be created by the middle of 2028?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Subic Bay International Airport Swiss Challenge Bidding Reset Again

Subic Bay International Airport Swiss Challenge Bidding Reset Again

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The anticipated Swiss challenge bidding for the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) has been reset once more as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) extended again the deadline for the submission of comparative proposals as a result of making corrections on bidding parameters, according to a BusinessMirror news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessMirror report. Some parts in boldface…

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has again extended the deadline for the submission of comparative proposals for the Subic International Airport (SIA) project after making corrections on bidding parameters for the P6.2 billion project to transform the Subic airfield into a modern high-capacity cargo and logistics hub.

In a bid bulletin, the SBMA Prequalification, Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC) said it will issue the final draft PPP (public-private partnership) contract or final bid bulletin on October 15, instead of September 29 as scheduled earlier.

Consequently, the opening of qualification documents from bidders will be held on November 16, instead of October 29, the SBMA-PBAC added.

The revised bidding schedule came about alongside corrections made by the SBMA on the bid parameters that defined the guaranteed fixed annual payment for the 25-year development contract.

The SBMA-PBAC clarified that while the base concession remittance amount submitted by the challenger for Contract Year 1 shall apply to the first seven years, the same shall be subject to an annual escalation of 1.5 percent beginning Contract Year 8 until its expiry on the 25th year.

The PBAC also clarified that the bid amount should be expressed as a fixed amount in Philippine pesos, and not as a percentage.

Following the revised bidding schedule, the SBMA also set the deadline for payment of participation fees by challengers at seven calendar days before the deadline of submission and opening of the comparative proposals. The participation fee has been set at the non-refundable amount of P1.4 million.

This was the second extension made for the bidding after the formal launch of the Swiss challenge for the Subic airport project on April 28 this year.

The SBMA opened the Subic airport project for comparative proposals, or Swiss challenge, after approving the unsolicited proposal by original proponent Cerberus Asia Pacific Investments LLC.

Cerberus Asia Pacific, a key affiliate of the New York-based alternative investment firm Cerberus Capital Management, presented its original proposal to the SBMA on March 26 last year.

The project includes the rehabilitation and comprehensive upgrading of existing facilities to restore them to full operational condition; operational and infrastructural improvements to enhance airport safety and regulatory compliance; and development of new airport infrastructure and acquisition of equipment to expand airport capacity, improve operational efficiency, and support new service offerings.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the corrections made by the SBMA will turn out final and legally sound so that the bidding can finally push through?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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Vietnam Declared Asia’s Leading Destination of 2026

Vietnam Declared Asia’s Leading Destination of 2026

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With its booming tourism industry and the economic gains it has achieved so far, Vietnam was named as Asia’s leading destination during the 2026 World Travel Awards beating the likes of regional rivals Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, according to a VnExpress news report. In fact, this is not the first time Vietnam achieved this particular honor and there were other awards won as well.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam has been named Asia’s leading destination at this year’s World Travel Awards, adding another tourism accolade to the country’s growing reputation.

It beat regional tourism hubs including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to retain the title for a sixth consecutive year.

A series of popular tourism hubs in Vietnam were also honored at different categories, the World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania organizers announced at a gala ceremony on Sunday.

Vietnam’s southern metropolis overtook Singapore, China’s Shanghai and Hong Kong to become “Asia’s leading business travel destination.”

Hanoi was named “Asia’s leading city break destination” while Tam Chuc Complex in the northern province of Ha Nam, around one hour and (30-minute) drive from the capital, was voted “Asia’s leading cultural tourist attraction.”

Ta Xua, one of the highest mountain peaks in Vietnam at over 2,800 m above sea level, was voted “Asia’s leading emerging tourism destination” for the first time. It has a cool climate all year round and is known as a cloud hunting destination from October to April.

Northern highlands town Moc Chau was named “Asia’s leading regional nature destination.” Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in central Vietnam was voted “Asia’s leading national park.”

The 900-square-kilometer national park, which UNESCO recognized as a global heritage site in 2003, is home to over 300 caves and grottoes that date back some 400 million years, including the world’s largest Son Doong.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam and its tourist sites deserved the tourism awards it received this year? Have you toured Vietnam extensively this year? What is the most astonishing tourism destination you have visited there in Vietnam? Do you think Vietnam still has a long way to go to solve its tourism labor shortage?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Indonesian Tourism Industry Earns $8.43 Billion in First Half of 2026

Indonesian Tourism Industry Earns $8.43 Billion in First Half of 2026

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Indonesia, which attracted over fifteen million foreign tourists in 2025, saw its tourism industry earn $8.43 billion in the first half of 2026, according to a news article by VnExpress. The nation attracted 7.45 million foreign tourists in the same time period.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Indonesia’s tourism sector generated US$8.43 billion in foreign-exchange revenue in the first half of 2026, up 3% year-on-year, underscoring its growing contribution to the economy.

Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa said tourism remained an important driver of economic growth and a major source of foreign exchange for the country, Antara News Agency reported.

Last year, Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, earned $18.27 billion in tourism-related foreign exchange.

The country received 7.45 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2026, up 5.71% from a year earlier and the highest January-June total since the Covid pandemic, Jakarta Globe reported.

It is targeting 16-17 million international tourist arrivals this year.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Indonesia will be able to attract 16-17 million foreign tourists by the end of this year? Have you ever thought about visiting Indonesia and its many tourist sites?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Indonesia Imposes 10-Year Ban on Australian Tourist for Committing Public Sex Act in Bali

Indonesia Imposes 10-Year Ban on Australian Tourist for Committing Public Sex Act in Bali

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Authorities in Indonesia imposed a 10-year-ban on an Australian tourist who was recently deported for a public sex act committed in Bali, according to a news article by VnExpress. The said sex act was caught on CCTV.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

An Australian tourist arrested over a public indecency incident on Bali Island has been barred from entering Indonesia for 10 years.

The 28-year-old was deported last week on a Batik Air flight from Denpasar to Brisbane, about two weeks after his arrest at Ngurah Rai International Airport where he was due to board a flight to Brisbane, The Jakarta Post reported.

The deportation came as Indonesian immigration authorities stepped up efforts to maintain public order and security among foreign nationals living in or visiting Bali.

Indonesia’s Immigration Directorate General also imposed a 10-year entry ban on the tourist.

Police said he had engaged in sexual intercourse with an unidentified foreign woman in the yard of a Balinese house in Tibubeneng village, North Kuta district, Badung regency, on Aug. 22. The homeowner caught the pair in the act, Antara News Agency reported.

CCTV cameras at the house also recorded the incident.

The footage later went viral after the homeowner uploaded it to social media as a warning against behavior considered to bring negative energy, in accordance with Balinese Hindu beliefs.

The man could have faced imprisonment for the offense. However, police dropped the case after the homeowner forgave him and asked authorities to halt the legal proceedings.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you have been to Indonesia, did you witness unruly behavior committed by foreign tourists during your stay there? Do you think this development could cause a drop in the number of Australians visiting Indonesia?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Tourism Labor Shortage in Vietnam

Tourism Labor Shortage in Vietnam

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As more foreign tourists keep arriving in Vietnam, some questions about the future of the nation’s tourism industry are being raised as a tourism labor shortage has been realized, according to a news article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam’s tourism industry is racing ahead, with international arrivals hitting new highs, but the sector is facing a growing shortage of skilled workers, from hotel staff and chefs to foreign-language guides and senior managers.

The third most visited country in Southeast Asia after Malaysia and Thailand welcomed nearly 16 million international visitors in the first eight months of 2026, up 14.4% year-on-year, driving up demand across hotels, travel companies, transport, restaurants and tourist attractions.

A 2026 survey by Hoteljob.vn found that nearly 90% of tourism businesses planned to recruit.

In Ho Chi Minh City alone, 89.7% of businesses were hiring, while 71.8% said recruitment was difficult or very difficult. The biggest shortages were among frontline workers, particularly in housekeeping, engineering, food service, front-office operations, and kitchens.

The Politburo’s Resolution dated Aug. 22, along with the government’s action programme adopted on Sept. 7, set the target for tourism to directly contribute 10-12% of GDP by 2030, attracting 45-50 million international visitors and generate total revenue of US$80-90 billion.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang are envisioned as major tourism growth hubs, while Phu Quoc emerges as a new hub. These targets will place greater demands on the tourism workforce, not only in terms of numbers but also skills, from frontline workers and foreign-language guides to managers, technology specialists and professionals delivering high-end services.

Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector, for example, is facing gaps in supervisory and management positions, as businesses seek staff capable of operating in an increasingly digitalized, international and competitive environment.

Foreign-language tour guides are another weak link. Demand is rising rapidly from markets such as Russia and India, while arrivals from Europe and the Middle East are also increasing. Yet training guides with the language skills and cultural knowledge needed to serve these markets can take years.

The labor crunch is even more acute in destinations far from major urban centers.

In Con Dao, hotels and resorts regularly struggle to recruit receptionists, housekeepers, chefs, and service staff, while travel companies face shortages of sales, marketing, and tour guide staff.

Higher salaries have done little to solve the problem. The island’s high cost of living and distance from the mainland make it difficult to attract and retain skilled workers, with many leaving after only a few months.

According to Hoteljob.vn, 79.5% of tourism businesses have raised salaries or improved benefits over the past year. Yet 59.2% cited lower incomes compared with other industries as a key reason young people leave the profession, while limited career prospects were another major factor.

Experts say Vietnam’s tourism labor shortage is not simply about training more people.

The bigger challenge is narrowing the gap between what schools teach and what employers need. Nearly 80% of businesses surveyed said fewer than 20% of young applicants could start work immediately, while more than 84% said new recruits needed at least a month before they could work independently.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam should open its doors and bring in trained tourism workers from overseas to solve their tourism labor shortage?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco