11:11:43 AM | 8/19/2025
Vietnam-Singapore tourism cooperation is undergoing a remarkably strong recovery for both countries. The combination of high actual travel demand and well-planned initiatives in promotion, connectivity, and investment is driving a new and deeper phase of bilateral tourism collaboration.
Vietnam-Singapore tourism cooperation is entering a rapid growth phase in both breadth and depth, portraying the real demand from the people of both nations and more well-planned strategic cooperation between government agencies and travel businesses.
The Singapore Tourism Board, Vietnam Airlines, and Sentosa Development Corporation sign an agreement to promote Vietnam-Singapore tourism cooperation, May 2025
According to the latest statistics from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), in July 2025, Vietnam welcomed approximately 26,997 visitors from Singapore, a year-on-year growth of 132.6%. This growth not only demonstrated a strong post-pandemic recovery but also surpassed many regional markets like Indonesia (119.3%) and only slightly lower than Malaysia (134.3%) or Thailand (139.2%).
A notable trend is the high rate of repeat visitors. A survey by Changi Airport (CAG) showed that three out of five Singaporeans have traveled to Vietnam, and 95% of those surveyed expressed their desire to return, primarily for extended holidays. This group of tourists has high average spending, strictly requires service quality, and often chooses major cities or prominent tourist centers.
Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang are top destinations for Singaporean travelers thanks to their convenient connectivity and diverse experiences. Ho Chi Minh City draws visitors with its lively atmosphere, diverse culture, and flavorful cuisine. Yahoo Life describes it as “an ideal destination for residents of the Lion City” thanks to affordable prices, delicious food, and accessible services. Da Nang City, a clean city ranked among the Top 10 best destinations in the world, charms visitors with its combination of sea, mountains, luxury resorts, and modern entertainment complexes. Meanwhile, Hanoi remains the cultural and historical heart where tradition meets modernity in every street corner, bowl of pho, or cup of egg coffee.
Against this backdrop of strong demand, a new milestone was reached with the signing of a tripartite strategic cooperation agreement between the Singapore Tourism Board, Vietnam Airlines, and Sentosa Group on May 20, 2025. Under the agreement, the parties will collaborate on destination promotion campaigns where Singapore will target high-income Vietnamese tourists and Sentosa hopes to attract a large number of Vietnamese visitors who enjoy resorts and family experiences. Concurrently, Vietnam Airlines continues to play a leading role in air connectivity between the two countries with 21 flights per week, serving over 116,000 passengers in the first four months of 2025 alone, bringing the total number of passengers on this route to more than 8.1 million after more than 30 years of operation.
In the reverse direction, Singapore also welcomed over 393,000 visitors from Vietnam in 2024, keeping Vietnam among the top 15 largest source markets for the Lion City. This growth coincides with Singapore's total tourism revenue reaching a record high of SGD29.8 billion, reflecting the rising demand for tourism products that combine business-leisure travel, luxury resorts, and shopping experiences.
Vietnam-Singapore tourism cooperation not only extends beyond visitor exchange but also opens up significant opportunities in investment, smart urban development, resort infrastructure, and digital transformation in the tourism industry. The close relationships between major corporations such as Keppel Land, CapitaLand, and Ascott and their tourism and hotel projects in Vietnam clearly demonstrate this trend.
As Vietnam and Singapore upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, tourism acts as a "soft catalyst" to bring the two economies closer through the exchange of people, culture, and experiences. When a journey is not just a destination but a connection of values, tourism cooperation between these two Southeast Asian nations will have much more room for development beyond mere statistics.
Thu Huyen (Vietnam Business Forum)
Vietnamese
