Thai tourism shift brings European charter flights to Vietnam for the first time this summer

Vietnam's tourism sector continues to show resilience in international arrivals and, for the first time, welcomes European charter flights this summer. The longer-stay trend among European and American visitors is helping spread travel across many localities. Polish travelers are set to fly to Vietnam in the summer: 'From May to September 2027, we will receive one Polish charter flight to Vietnam each month, carrying about 300 passengers. This is the first time the company has hosted European guests in the summer,' said Le Phong Tran, International Market Director of Vietluxtour. In an interview with VietNamNet, he noted that the peak international season typically runs from November this year to March next year for winter holidays. However, Vietluxtour has an opportunity to host Polish groups in the summer. 'This group usually chooses Thailand, but this year, due to instability there and in neighboring countries, they are shifting toward Vietnam,' Tran said. As one of the leading inbound tourism operators in Vietnam, European visitors currently account for more than 35% of total international arrivals, with core markets including the UK, France, Germany, Russia, and Poland. Poland alone has grown by more than 45%. In 2026, Vietnam aims to attract 25 million international arrivals and 150 million domestic trips, with total revenue of 1,125 trillion dong. This underscores that Vietnam's visa liberalization, effective promotional efforts, and the destination’s appeal abroad are contributing factors, according to Tran The Dung, General Director of Vietluxtour. Dung noted that in the first three months of this year, international visitors grew strongly thanks to charter flights. While conflicts disrupted some routes via the Middle East, direct flights were not significantly affected, helping keep overall tourist volumes stable. He added that most European travelers tend to use Middle East carriers to reach Vietnam for convenience and cost. When the region is unstable, some groups shift toward private tours or fly-and-stay packages, which can slow due to higher airfares, but those planned in advance proceed normally. Despite concerns about a contagion effect on Vietnam’s tourism from Middle East tensions, early 2026 data show positive signals for international arrivals. Statistics from the General Statistics Office indicate 6.76 million international visitors in Q1 2026, up more than 12% year on year and a new quarterly high. Notably, markets grew 40–70%, with some near 200% increases; for example, Russian visitors up 194.5%, Poland up 52%, Norway 26%, Switzerland over 27%, Sweden 27.5%, Denmark and Italy over 20%. Industry representatives say European demand for Vietnam has risen since late 2025 and early 2026. Khanh Hoa Province aims to welcome over 18 million visitors this year, with international arrivals over 6.5 million, targeting markets including South Korea, Russia, and several new ones. Daily, the province receives around 20 flights from Korea, with Russian visitors rising due to earlier charter plans. The impact of Middle East tensions is viewed as short-term, with some flights adjusted but quick recovery anticipated, and market diversification helping Khanh Hoa reduce dependence on a single source. Post-Covid-19, Khanh Hoa’s international profile has shifted toward new markets such as South Korea, Southeast Asia, India, and Europe. In addition to air arrivals, international cruise traffic to Khanh Hoa has risen sharply, with 48–50 international cruise visits expected this year to Cam Ranh and the nearby marina, primarily high-end and boosting tourism revenue. ‘Unlike air travelers or road travelers, a luxury ship docking at Nha Trang Bay not only brings in visitors but also spreads a positive image of Khanh Hoa’s tourism,’ remarks Thang. In Ho Chi Minh City, tourism authorities report positive signals from international markets despite higher fuel costs, with Vietnam seen as a safe destination amid regional tensions and a rise in demand. In HCMC, the MICE segment, upscale travelers, and personalized itineraries are growing, reflecting high expenditure and resilience to short-term fluctuations. IT S HCMC’s ITE 2026 fair is expected to draw over 520 exhibitors, 34 localities, 260 international buyers from more than 32 countries, and over 30,000 visitors, generating about 20,050 business meetings between international tourism companies and Vietnam. The fair’s program will feature thematic sessions and agendas to help international tourism organizations exchange updates and coordinate policy with Vietnamese authorities and enterprises, according to the city’s tourism department. Ngoc Ha, VietnamNet