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| The city’s Tourism Association and business community meet with the delegation from the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss cooperation and attracting Belarusian tourists to Hue |
New opportunities
During a working session with the delegation from the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in Ho Chi Minh City on April 24th, the city’s Tourism Association and business community discussed possibilities for cooperation and attracting Belarusian tourists to Hue.
Cooperation opportunities have become even more promising as direct flights from Minsk, the capital of Belarus, to Da Nang are scheduled to begin in May 2026. Consul General Alexander Dmitrievich Sidoruk of the Republic of Belarus in Ho Chi Minh City said the direct Minsk - Da Nang route will operate as a charter service, with one flight expected every 10 to 11 days. This will also become the third air route connecting Belarus with Vietnamese destinations, following Phu Quoc and Khanh Hoa.
The direct flight from Minsk to Da Nang will not only connect Belarusian tourists with the city on the Han River, but also create opportunities to boost tourism for neighboring localities, especially Hue, as the geographical distance between the two centrally governed cities is close, making it convenient to bring visitors to Hue.
According to Mr. Dinh Manh Thang, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association and Chairman of Hue City Tourism Association, one notable point is that Belarusian tourists travel extensively to many countries, spend generously, and stay for long periods ranging from 10 to 15 days. In particular, Belarusian visitors enjoy beaches, regional cuisine, and learning about the culture and heritage of countries around the world. These characteristics align well with the tourism strengths and potential of Vietnamese localities, including Hue.
Regarding Belarusian demand for travel to Vietnam, statistics from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Khanh Hoa Province show that the province welcomed 3.244 Belarusian visitors in 2024. The figure surged to 8.861 arrivals in 2025, an increase of around 173%, and in just the first two months of 2026, Khanh Hoa received 2.146 Belarusian tourists. According to forecasts, after the launch of the Minsk - Khanh Hoa route operated by Belavia Belarusian Airlines on March 20, the number of Belarusian visitors is expected to rise further.
Another promising reality is that regional connectivity and inter-provincial tourism cooperation are increasingly being promoted, while tourists themselves tend to seek experiences across multiple destinations. Therefore, with the direct air connection from Minsk to Da Nang, the opportunities to attract tourists also open up for Hue, located on the Central Heritage Road, which many visitors want to explore.
Still much work to be done
Belarusian tourists are high-spending visitors who stay for extended periods, making them one of the important market segments targeted by Hue’s tourism sector.
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| International tourists visiting Hue |
At a courtesy meeting with the delegation from the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in Ho Chi Minh City led by Consul General Alexander Sidoruk on the afternoon of April 23rd, Mr. Nguyen Khac Toan, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, and Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee, shared that cooperation in investment, trade, and tourism between Hue City and Belarusian partners still holds significant untapped potential. The head of the city government also proposed that the Belarusian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City continue supporting connections and cooperation between both sides, including in tourism; strengthen promotion of Hue’s image among the Belarusian public; and support in organizing survey delegations, business networking, and expanded practical and effective cooperation in the future.
According to Consul General Alexander Dmitrievich Sidoruk of the Republic of Belarus in Ho Chi Minh City, the Consulate General will work with Belarusian travel companies to strengthen promotion and cooperation efforts with the aim of making Hue a destination choice for more Belarusian tourists.
Though a foundation for connectivity has been established, Hue still has much to do in order to attract Belarusian travelers. Currently, information about Hue as a destination remains limited among Belarusian tourists, while promotional and marketing activities targeting this market are still lacking. The most important task is ensuring that travel agencies and tourists from Belarus become aware of Hue.
Mr. Do Ngoc Co, Chairman of Hue City Travel Association, said that developing tourism products suitable for the Belarusian market is inevitable, and local travel businesses are ready. However, the first step is to effectively connect with units organizing flights from Belarus to Da Nang and with Belarusian travel companies. Famtrip programs should be organized to invite airlines, tourism enterprises, journalists, and influential figures from Belarus to visit Hue to survey and experience tourism products. At the same time, Hue also needs appropriate strategies to promote its destination image in Belarus.
From an operational perspective, the Tourism Association, its affiliated associations, and tourism-service enterprises are connecting with partners and developing promotional tour packages suitable for the Belarusian market, with high-quality services covering transportation, attractions, accommodation, cuisine, and tourism experiences that meet visitors’ expectations.