Vietnam and Turkey unveil new alliance to strengthen tourism ties

The announcement was made at a workshop hosted by the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club (HUTC) on July 24. The event marked the debut of the Vietnam-Turkey Tourism Product Development Alliance, a strategic partnership supported by government agencies, travel companies, and airlines from both countries.

The alliance is expected to open up new opportunities for tour operators to create culturally rich travel experiences while leveraging simplified visa procedures. Turkish Ambassador to Vietnam, Korhan Kemik, confirmed that from September 1, Vietnamese citizens will be eligible for Turkey’s eVisa programme, making travel easier and paving the way for more meaningful cooperation across multiple sectors.

"The simplification of the visa process is a clear demonstration of our commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation," said Kemik. "Beyond tourism, the eVisa will serve as a catalyst for broader development in culture, education, trade, and people-to-people ties."

Kemik also highlighted tourism as a bridge between societies. "When people travel, they gain new perspectives and bring home meaningful connections. This is precisely the spirit we aim to nurture between Turkey and Vietnam," he said.

The seminar drew strong interest from Vietnamese travel agencies seeking to develop specialised tourism products tailored to the Turkish market. Popular itineraries include cultural heritage tours in Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Ephesus, as well as nature and coastal escapes in Troy and Antalya. A key highlight was the growing interest in Halal tourism, which not only caters to Muslim travellers but also offers immersive local experiences for global visitors.

Turkish Airlines, which currently operates flights to Vietnam, is expected to increase flight frequency from October to meet rising demand.

Country director Gayret Yuksel said, "The airline is prepared to support Vietnamese travel firms with familiarisation trips, promotional fare policies, and co-branded marketing campaigns."

The establishment of the tourism alliance also lays the groundwork for deeper strategic cooperation between the HUTC members and Turkish partners. It comes in preparation for Vietnam’s participation at the International Tourism Fair in Turkey, one of the region’s largest trade events, scheduled for September 25.

According to Truong Quoc Hung, chairman of the HUTC, the combination of expanded flight services and eVisa access marks a turning point for bilateral tourism relations.

"This is not just about increasing visitor numbers, it's also about cultivating mutual understanding and cultural ties between our two nations," he said.

He added that Turkey is expected to become a strategic outbound market for the HUTC in the near future, while the alliance also anticipates welcoming more Turkish travellers to explore Vietnam’s unique charm.