Chinese flock to Vietnam due to Thailand safety fears

Vietnam has surpassed Thailand in terms of attracting Chinese tourists, but safety and premium tourism hold the key to recapturing the market, according to Aksornsri Phanishsarn, an associate professor of economics at Thammasat University.

- CHAIRITH YONPIAM

The scholar said Vietnam's recent leapfrogging of the kingdom in Chinese tourist arrivals should not yet be a cause for alarm, as most of the figures reflect low-spending group tours.

Reports show that between January and June, more Chinese tourists visited Vietnam than Thailand.

However, Ms Aksornsri noted that Japan remains the top destination for this demographic. She said Vietnam's growth is largely due to its visa-free policy for Chinese tour groups and lower travel costs compared to Thailand, attracting first-time outbound tourists who typically have limited spending power.