Vietnam draws French holidaymakers during Christmas, New Year

Lifestyle

Vietnam draws French holidaymakers during Christmas, New Year
Patrice Caradec, President of the Syndicate of French Tour-Operators (SETO), said the country has not attracted as many French tourists since COVID-19. As Vietnam reopened later than several Asian destinations, pent-up demand has surged with the full recovery of tourism. The “S-shaped” nation has now returned to pre-pandemic levels of French arrivals.
Foreign visitors explore Hanoi’s old quarters by cyclo, admiring the city’s timeless beauty. (Photo: VNA)

Paris (VNA) – French travel agencies are reporting a notable rise in bookings for the Christmas and year-end holiday season, with Vietnam emerging as one of the most popular long-haul destinations since the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite economic uncertainties, late bookings are helping keep the market buoyant.

According to the Orchestra analytics system for the French Association of Travel Management (AFTM), bookings for the 2025 Christmas period have risen 5.4% year-on-year, while the average holiday expenditure per traveller remains unchanged at 3,916 EUR (about 4,600 USD). Its President Valérie Boned noted that travel continues to be a priority in French household budgets, especially during year-end holidays when families often choose long-haul trips.

Vietnam stands out clearly in this segment. Patrice Caradec, President of the Syndicate of French Tour-Operators (SETO), said the country has not attracted as many French tourists since COVID-19. As Vietnam reopened later than several Asian destinations, pent-up demand has surged with the full recovery of tourism. The “S-shaped” nation has now returned to pre-pandemic levels of French arrivals.

The strong performance of Vietnam occurs alongside a generally upbeat winter travel season for long-haul markets. Orchestra data reveal significant growth for Mexico (+10.6%), Thailand (+2.4%) and the Dominican Republic (+2.2%), supported by route expansion by airlines such as Air France and Air Caraïbes.

Middle-distance destinations are also enjoying solid gains. Egypt has made a striking comeback with bookings rising 46.6%, while Cape Verde is up 11.8%. Morocco (+2.3%) and Tunisia (+4.9%) remain stable choices. Some agencies reported a decline for Morocco, offset by rising demand for Italy, Spain and Jordan. Meanwhile, Finland and Iceland have seen clear declines, whereas Egypt benefits from the opening of a major new museum in Cairo.

Travel firms describe this year's market as unpredictable, with many travellers waiting until November to book, rather than the usual September–October peak. Higher prices across airfares, accommodation and activities have prompted greater caution. Even so, Protourisme Director Didier Arino stressed that travel remains the top spending priority for French families.

SETO forecasts continued growth beyond Christmas, with outbound travel from November 1 to April 30 expected to rise 7% in passenger numbers and 9% in total bookings. Within this broader trend, Vietnam’s scenery, culture and effective tourism recovery policies continue to cement its position as a leading winter destination for French holidaymakers./.

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