(TITC) – On 10 August, in Sydney (Australia), the Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh City-Australia Tourism Promotion Roadshow in Australia 2026 took place, featuring activities to introduce destinations, tourism products, promote arts and culture, connect businesses, and bolster tourism-aviation cooperation between the two countries, along with the celebration of 35 years of Vietnam-Australia and tourism connectivity.
The program was co-organized by Vietnam Airlines, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, and Saigontourist Group within the framework of the State visit to Australia by General Secretary and President To Lam.
Attending the event on behalf of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) was Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh, along with representatives from diplomatic agencies, state management bodies, tourism organizations and associations, commercial partners, aviation, travel, and service enterprises from both Vietnam and Australia.
Speaking at the event, VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh highlighted the positive progress of Vietnam tourism and the prominent advantages of Vietnam as a destination for the Australian market. Vietnam currently possesses 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites, 16 Intangible Cultural Heritage items, and 4 Creative Cities recognized by UNESCO. Between 2018 and 2025, Vietnam was named “World’s Leading Heritage Destination” 6 times and “Asia’s Leading Destination” 7 times.
These achievements are clearly reflected in the growth momentum of international visitor arrivals. In 2025, Vietnam welcomed 21.2 million international visitor arrivals, generating approximately USD 40 billion in tourism revenue. In the first 7 months of 2026, Vietnam welcomed nearly 14 million international visitor arrivals, a 14% increase compared to the same period last year. Alongside numerical growth, Vietnam aims to enhance service quality, ensure safety, and develop sustainable experiences for travelers.
Regarding the Australian market, Vietnam continues to record positive signals. Australia is currently one of Vietnam’s top 10 source markets. In 2025, Vietnam welcomed nearly 550,000 Australian tourist arrivals; in the first 7 months of 2026, the figure reached nearly 400,000, representing a 23% year-on-year increase. Notably, Australian tourists belong to the high-spending group with long stays, averaging 15-20 nights and spending around AUD 6,000 per trip.
To meet the increasingly diverse demands of the market, Vietnam continues to refresh and diversify its offerings, focusing on heritage experiences, gastronomy, 5-star beach resorts, MICE, and wellness. Additionally, the e-visa policy, valid for up to 90 days with multiple entries, provides further convenience for Australian tourists choosing Vietnam.
The highlight of the event was the Ceremony Celebrating 35 Years of Vietnam-Australia Aviation and Tourism Connectivity, alongside business networking sessions and activities aimed at fostering bilateral partnerships.
After 35 years of operations, Vietnam Airlines has operated 35,000 flights and transported 7.5 million passengers between Vietnam and Australia. These figures demonstrate stable market growth and a continuously rising demand for connectivity between the two nations.
Currently, Vietnam Airlines operates 25 round-trip flights per week, connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth using wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.
In the first 6 months of 2026, the Vietnam-Australia aviation market served over 809,000 passengers, an 11.5% increase year-on-year. Flight routes between the two countries maintained high seat load factors, averaging over 83%, demonstrating sustained positive market demand.
The growth of the aviation market goes hand in hand with progress in broader Vietnam-Australia bilateral relations. Following the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aviation connectivity plays an increasingly vital role in promoting economic cooperation, tourism development, and people-to-people exchanges.
Mr. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, affirmed: “Every air route creates further opportunities for economic, investment, and tourism cooperation. In the context of deep international integration, aviation increasingly confirms its role as strategic infrastructure for the economy. Therefore, Australia remains a key focus market in Vietnam Airlines’ strategic direction. We will continue to invest in our flight network, enhance service quality, and strengthen cooperation to expand connectivity between Vietnam and Australia, meeting development needs in this new era.”
The program also showcased Vietnam’s tourism potential, destinations, and products, promoting Vietnamese culture, art, and image to the Australian market.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, Vietnam Airlines, Saigontourist Group, along with Vietnamese tourism, aviation, and service enterprises, participated in the event to introduce products and services while connecting with Australian partners. Business networking activities provided opportunities for parties to exchange ideas, seek partners, expand markets, and foster cooperation across tourism, aviation, and service sectors.
At the event, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and cooperation agreements were exchanged between partners from both countries, contributing to stronger links within the business community and pushing forward cooperation in related fields. This was also an occasion for Vietnamese and Australian businesses to engage directly, explore collaboration opportunities, and broaden their partner networks.
Looking ahead, Vietnam aims to strengthen aviation connectivity, step up promotional efforts in Australia, drive digital transformation, and foster sustainable tourism development. Furthermore, Vietnam plans to enhance cooperation in human resource development, digital payments, international-standard training, and knowledge exchange regarding destination management, capacity control, and community-based ecotourism development.
Through this program, Vietnam continues to promote its image, culture, heritage, and tourism offerings to the Australian market, while bolstering cooperation between regulatory authorities and the business communities of both nations.
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