VNAT having meeting with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism
Vietnam and China expand tourism cooperation, focusing on promotion, air connectivity, and new product development during meetings in Beijing and Tianjin.
As part of the Vietnam Tourism Roadshow in Beijing, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), held bilateral meetings with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism. The discussions focused on strengthening tourism promotion, expanding marketing cooperation, enhancing air connectivity, developing new tourism products, and establishing long-term coordination mechanisms between the two sides.
During the meeting with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh emphasized that China continues to be a market of strategic significance for Vietnam’s tourism industry. He noted that Vietnam’s tourism authorities have consistently studied the Chinese market, monitoring visitor preferences and travel behavior to design suitable, high-quality tourism products and services.
According to official statistics, Vietnam welcomed over 5.8 million Chinese visitor arrivals in 2019, nearly 3.8 million in 2024, and about 3.9 million in the first nine months of 2025, representing a 43.9% increase year-on-year. These figures, he said, reflect the robust and growing travel exchanges between the two countries and demonstrate China’s continuing role as one of Vietnam’s largest source markets.
Ms. Zheng Fang, Deputy Director-General of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, welcomed the Vietnamese delegation, underscoring the deep-rooted friendship between Vietnam and China. She described the two nations as close neighbors and highlighted the strong potential for future tourism cooperation. She noted that Vietnamese visitor arrivals to Beijing increased from 93,454 in 2024 to 112,052 in the first nine months of 2025, marking a rise of more than 100% over the same period last year.
Both sides agreed to further enhance two-way information exchange on tourism market trends and coordinate joint promotional activities such as roadshows, B2B meetings, fam trips, and press trips. They also discussed sharing tourism product portfolios that reflect their respective cultural strengths. Beijing introduced several tourism products, including winter tourism in Yanqing, hot spring experiences, city-break itineraries, MICE travel packages, and joint Beijing-Tianjin tours. Both sides also expressed interest in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation in the near future.
Following the meeting in Beijing, the VNAT delegation met with the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism. Mr. Zhu Yihai, Deputy Director-General of the Bureau, introduced Tianjin’s diverse urban tourism offerings under the themes “Tianjin Rings for You” and “Haihe at Night,” showcasing the city’s night-time experiences. He outlined Tianjin’s product strategy focusing on day trips, weekend getaways, and extended vacations.
After successfully hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in September 2025, Tianjin has been accelerating its efforts to connect with major international events, aiming to become a leading MICE and event tourism center in the region.
Mr. Zhu reaffirmed that Tianjin regards Vietnam as an important tourism cooperation partner, expressing his hope to strengthen mutual exchange activities, enhance promotional visibility, and boost air connectivity. He also invited Vietnam to participate in the China Culture & Tourism Industry Expo 2026, which will take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Tianjin.
In response, Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh praised Tianjin’s tourism development strategy, noting that its focus on event-based and creative tourism aligns closely with Vietnam’s direction. He proposed that both sides consider signing a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation, aimed at increasing two-way promotion, opening direct flight routes, and developing linked products such as Urban-Culinary-MICE tours connecting Beijing, Tianjin, and Vietnam.
The Tianjin side expressed strong support for VNAT’s proposals and confirmed its readiness for close coordination toward implementation.
These initiatives coincide with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China (1950–2025) and are part of the ongoing 2023–2027 Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Plan between Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Through joint tourism promotion, increased air connectivity, and cooperation agreements, both sides aim to further grow visitor exchanges, enhance service quality, and strengthen the competitiveness and attractiveness of their destinations.
Concluding the meetings, Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh expressed confidence that continued coordination and joint marketing between Vietnam, Beijing, and Tianjin will create new opportunities for tourism businesses, diversify tourism products, and deepen mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries. He affirmed that Vietnam welcomes visitors from China and will continue to create favorable conditions for bilateral tourism growth, contributing to peaceful, stable, and prosperous relations between Vietnam and China.