Tourism plays a significant role in the multi-sectoral relations between Vietnam and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, Hanoi has said.

A group of tourists in Danang, Vietnam. Photo: Duc Hoang

Tourism has been one of the key pillars in the growing relations in terms of economics, trade, and investment, according to the Spokesperson of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Le Thi Thu Hang.

Room for cooperation in the tourism industry remains large following the opening of economic activities in the post-pandemic recovery, Hang said in the press conference held in Hanoi on June 9.

“We believe that cooperation between Vietnam and Hong Kong will constantly develop, especially in trade, investment, finance, and tourism, bringing practical benefits for both sides and contributing to cooperation and development in the region,” she said in response to a question on the possibility of Hong Kong’s border reopening and the cooperation between Vietnam and the administrative region.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, there were 20 flights between Hong Kong and the Southeast Asian country. In 2019, more than 50,000 Hong Kong people arrived in Vietnam, who are “high-quality customers.”

According to the spokesperson, Vietnam attaches importance to the relations with Hong Kong that have been demonstrated through the strong development in various fields. She said trade maintained growth momentum despite Covid-19. In 2021, the two-way trade hit US$13.6 billion, up 18% year on year.

Hong Kong is currently the fifth biggest investor in Vietnam with approximately $27 billion. Meanwhile, Vietnam is Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner in ASEAN and 7th globally.

Regarding tourism, Vietnam is an increasingly attractive destination for people from Hong Kong. In June 2021, Hong Kong eyed the travel bubble model to Phu Quoc, the biggest island in Vietnam, amid widespread Covid-19 infections. Both Chairman of the Hong Kong Travel Industry Council Jason Wong and the Vietnamese Consul General to Hong Kong Pham Binh Dam agreed on the potential for cooperation. 

Phu Quoc is the biggest island and one of the most famous tourist attractions in Vietnam. Photo: Toquoc