The government announced on Oct. 12 that Chinese nationals travelling in groups of two or more can visit Khanh Hoa province visa‑free if they fly straight to Cam Ranh International Airport. The scheme runs until Dec 31 2027, and it targets a market that already brings many visitors to Vietnam.

China remains Vietnam’s biggest inbound market, with about 3.95 million Chinese arrivals in the first nine months of 2026 – 22.3% of all foreign visitors. By removing visa paperwork for group tours, the pilot aims to make Khanh Hoa more attractive to these travellers.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, said the move could pave the way for more charter flights and organised tours from Chinese cities that favour beach holidays. He added that the resulting benefits could extend to hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and transport operators.

In 2025, Chinese guests at the Anam Cam Ranh Resort created 4,050 room nights. That represented a 7.14% share of the resort’s total occupancy.

Thai Thi Le Hang, director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the pilot would remove key procedural barriers, allowing travel agencies in both countries to develop all‑inclusive tour packages. She noted that officials may expand similar visa‑free arrangements to other destinations such as Da Nang and Lam Dong if the Khanh Hoa trial proves successful. Martin Koerner echoed this view, saying broader extensions could strengthen Vietnam’s competitiveness in the leisure tourism market.