Khanh Hoa starts visa-free pilot for Chinese package tours

Khanh Hoa began a pilot visa-free scheme for Chinese package tours on 12 October 2026 under Resolution 325/NQ-CP, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van Giang. The scheme runs to 31 December 2027 and covers Chinese citizens with valid ordinary passports, excluding holders of Hong Kong and Macau SAR passports. Visitors must travel in groups of at least two on package tours organised by Vietnamese international travel companies and stay no more than 30 days. They must fly directly from mainland China to Cam Ranh International Airport and enter and leave through that airport, and travel is restricted to Khanh Hoa.

The pilot is part of the Vietnam-China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-27, which was launched in April 2026 during a visit to Beijing by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, Tuoi Tre News reported.

Why Khanh Hoa wants Chinese visitors

Before the pandemic, China was Khanh Hoa's largest international source market, with more than 2.5 million arrivals in 2019, or 70% of all foreign visitors, Thai Thi Le Hang, director of the province's culture, sports and tourism department, told VietNamNet. Chinese arrivals reached nearly 797,000 in 2024 before falling to 677,000 in 2025. In the first nine months of 2026, the province recorded more than 469,000 Chinese arrivals, down over 6.48% year on year, and China now ranks behind South Korea and Russia.

Le Hang cited changing travel habits, with visitors moving from group tours to independent travel, competition from destinations with more favorable visa policies, and difficulties with air connectivity as reasons for the slow recovery. She said the visa exemption marks a breakthrough and should encourage a stronger return of Chinese visitors in the closing months of 2026 and throughout 2027.

Vietnam's wider Chinese market

Vietnam received 17.7 million international arrivals in January-September 2026, up 14.5% year on year and nearly 71% of its 25 million target, the National Statistics Office said. China remained the largest source market, with more than 3.953 million arrivals in the period, up 1.5%, including 411,526 in September, up 13%. Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports counted more than 3.935 million Chinese arrivals in January-September, leaving Vietnam about 18,000 ahead.

What happens next

Under the resolution, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must draft guidance on procedures, selection criteria and management of the travel companies taking part, and coordinate with local authorities on tourist management. The Ministry of Public Security will guide entry, exit and residence procedures.

Khanh Hoa has organised familiarization trips for airlines and travel companies in 2026 and plans more business-to-business networking, Le Hang said. Its 2026-2030 tourism plan targets links with Beijing, Shanghai, Changzhou, Nanning, Guiyang, Wuhan, Xiamen, Ningbo and Quanzhou, along with charter flights and promotion on Chinese social media.