Vietnam and Japan Strengthen Cooperation in Tourism Research and Development

On November 11 in Hanoi, Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration (VNAT), welcomed a delegation from the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI). The group was led by Chairman Masafumi Shukuri.

The meeting marked a new step in tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. Both sides aim to enhance research, share experience, and promote creative, sustainable tourism development.

Vietnam’s Tourism Recovery Leads the Region

Vietnam’s tourism industry has shown strong recovery after the pandemic.
In 2023, the country welcomed 12.6 million international visitors and 80 million domestic travelers, reaching 70% recovery.

In 2024, the figures rose to 17.6 million international arrivals and 110 million domestic trips. This made Vietnam the fastest-recovering tourism market in ASEAN, achieving 98% of 2019 levels.

For 2025, the Government aims to attract 22–23 million international visitors and 120–130 million domestic travelers. Tourism revenue is expected to reach VND 980–1,050 trillion.

In the first ten months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed 17.2 million international tourists, an increase of 21.5% over the same period last year.

According to the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), Vietnam and Japan were among the world’s fastest-growing destinations in the first half of 2025. Both countries recorded a 21% increase compared to the previous year.

Visa Policy Helps Boost Visitor Numbers

Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh said Vietnam’s success comes partly from flexible visa policies.

Key changes include:

• E-visas available for all nationalities, with simple procedures.

• Extended stay up to 90 days, and multiple entries allowed.

• Visa exemptions for 24 countries, including Japan.

• New exemptions for experts, scientists, cultural and sports professionals, and influencers who promote tourism and culture.

These policies make Vietnam more competitive and attractive to Japanese visitors and other international tourists.

Japan Seeks Closer Tourism Partnership

Masafumi Shukuri, Chairman of JTTRI, praised Vietnam’s impressive recovery. He thanked VNAT for sharing detailed and up-to-date information.

He noted that Japan faces challenges due to the weak yen, which discourages overseas travel. Despite this, he reaffirmed JTTRI’s goal to work closely with Vietnam on joint research and tourism development.

Both sides plan to promote creative ideas and sustainable tourism practices that benefit the region.

Fostering Creative and Sustainable Tourism

On November 12, in Hanoi, JTTRI and the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism will hold a seminar titled “Creative Tourism for Sustainable Destination Development.”

At the event, both organizations will sign a cooperation agreement to enhance research, training, and product development. The goal is to create new opportunities and unique tourism products that highlight the cultural ties between Vietnam and Japan.

A Shared Vision for Sustainable Growth

The growing partnership between Vietnam and Japan shows their shared commitment to sustainable and innovative tourism.

With strong government support, flexible policies, and active international cooperation, Vietnam is becoming one of Asia’s most dynamic destinations. Japan remains a key partner in building a more creative and sustainable future for global tourism.

images: collected

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