The coastal city of Qingdao in Shandong province has strategically positioned itself to capitalize on China’s burgeoning inbound tourism market by establishing new air connections with Southeast Asia. This development comes as Chinese urban centers intensify competition to attract international visitors amid the growing “Travel China” movement.
The recently inaugurated direct flight route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Qingdao has significantly reduced travel time between Vietnam and the eastern Chinese coastal destination. The non-stop service has slashed one-way journey duration to approximately five hours—nearly halving the previous travel time that required connecting flights through intermediary hubs.
In a targeted promotional effort, Qingdao hosted more than thirty Vietnamese travel industry professionals and over ten influential digital content creators from January 2nd to 7th. This delegation experienced firsthand the city’s tourism offerings, with many participants utilizing the newly established air connection for their journey.
The initiative represents a concerted push by Qingdao tourism authorities to capture market share from Southeast Asia and South Korea, recognizing the substantial potential of these regional markets. Industry observers note that the reduced travel time and convenience of direct flights serve as significant competitive advantages in attracting international tourists seeking accessible Chinese destinations.
Visual documentation from the familiarization tour showcased Vietnamese visitors enjoying Qingdao’s picturesque coastal scenery, highlighting the city’s natural attractions as a key selling point for international marketing campaigns. Tourism officials anticipate that enhanced connectivity will stimulate increased visitor numbers from Southeast Asia throughout 2026.