China, Vietnam Experience Holiday Travel Surges

During the recent holiday period, both China and Vietnam experienced significant surges in domestic and international tourism, driven in part by government policies and favorable conditions. In China, official data showed increases in travel and retail spending, largely supported by consumption subsidies, while sectors like box office sales lagged, indicating a mixed picture for consumer sentiment. Vietnam's two largest cities, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, saw notable increases in foreign arrivals, with tourism revenues and visitor numbers sharply up compared to last year, aided by cultural events marking the 50th anniversary of reunification. In Hai Duong, Vietnam, tourism also rose substantially, with both domestic and foreign visitors increasing by over 30% and 50% respectively, and new experiential tours contributing to higher revenue. The holiday period was marked by well-managed events and safe tourism activities across these regions. These trends reflect a broader regional recovery in travel and tourism, though some gains remain heavily reliant on government incentives.