According to tourism statistics released by Lao media on July 7, the number of Lao tourist arrivals in Vietnam has increased drastically in the first six months of 2023. The growth rate reaches 117%, the third highest among countries sending visitors to Vietnam, after Cambodia (338%) and India (236%).

Visitors to the Golden Bridge in Danang City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. Photo: Quang Nam Tourism

In addition, the most popular destinations for foreign tourists in Vietnam until June 2023 were the central beach city of Danang, the ancient town of Hoi An, the central highland flower city of Dalat, and Phu Quoc Pearl Island in the southern province of Kien Giang.

Besides coming to Vietnam for tourism, many Lao and Cambodians also come to Vietnam for medical treatment, according to Lao media.

On the other hand, Laos has seen a boom in tourism in the first three months of 2023 as more than 831,000 foreign tourists visited the country, in stark contrast to the 211,898 foreign visitors in the first six months of 2022.

Statistics from the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism show that among the total arrivals, 344,405 visitors came from Thailand, 180,000 from Vietnam, 143,312 from China and 45,756 from South Korea.

The ancient capital of the country, Luang Prabang City in northern Laos, remains the most popular destination for foreign visitors. The province recorded nearly 400,000 international tourists from January to May this year. Luang Prabang hopes to attract 4 million tourists by 2025.

Phu Quoc Pearl Island in Kien Giang Province is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Vietnam. Photo: Phu Quoc Review

Currently, there are three international flights from Vietnam to Laos, each taking 1h20 minutes, departing from Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Danang International Airport in Danang City and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meanwhile, it is quite convenient to travel through the land borders. Travelers from Laos can choose one of three main highways in the north and central of Vietnam, including Highway No. 279 from Dien Bien Phu City in the northwestern province of Dien Bien Phu through the Tay Trang International Border Checkpoint; Highway No. 9A from Dong Ha City in the central province of Quang Tri through the Lao Bao International Border Checkpoint; and Highway No. 8 from Vinh City in the north-central province of Nghe An through the Cau Treo International Border Checkpoint.

The increase in the number of Lao tourists to Vietnam and vice versa is a positive sign of the rapid recovery of the tourism industry after Covid-19, as well as the close cooperation between the two countries.