According to the agreement, Marketing Highlands (M&H) will supply Korean tourist groups via charter flights operated by Korean Air, while Crystal Holidays will provide accommodation and full-package landtour services for inbound travelers in Van Don. The cooperation is scheduled to begin in late 2025.

Unlocking the Potential of the South Korean Tourism Market

Statistics show that South Korea topped the list of international tourist arrivals to Vietnam in 2024, with more than 4.5 million visits. Korean tourists are not only high in volume but also among the highest spenders, favoring leisure travel combined with sports, golf, shopping, and culinary or cultural experiences.

As a leading inbound tour operator specializing in the Korean market, M&H has been working closely with Korean Air to operate a large number of charter flights for resorts across Vietnam. On average, M&H generates over $30 million in annual inbound revenue from the Korean market, focusing on key destinations like Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Binh Thuan, and Ho Chi Minh City — making it a preferred partner for many resorts in Vietnam.

The strategic partnership with Crystal Holidays enables M&H to expand its charter tour network to Van Don – a promising new destination in Vietnam. This cooperation leverages Crystal Holidays’ all-in-one tourism ecosystem in Van Don and M&H’s operational expertise in the Korean inbound market. It enhances competitiveness and market share for both parties, while offering Korean tourists exciting new experiences.

The partnership also marks a key milestone for Crystal Holidays as it accelerates the development of an integrated smart tourism ecosystem in Van Don — encompassing accommodations, infrastructure, tour operations, and bundled tourism services. This model allows Crystal Holidays to manage the entire value chain, optimize operational efficiency, and elevate service quality.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Dang Dinh Viet, CEO of Crystal Holidays, stated:
"The Korean tourist market is full of potential but also highly demanding. It requires attention to detail in every step — from hotel rooms and tour operations to related services. This strategic cooperation with Marketing Highlands affirms our capacity to deliver market-specific inbound solutions."

Van Don – A Gateway to Northeast Asian Tourists

Besides South Korea, other Northeast Asian markets such as Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (China) are also key inbound segments for Vietnam. These travelers are typically high spenders with distinct preferences for extended trips focused on nature, cuisine, and cultural experiences. Vietnam appeals not only due to geographic proximity but also for its tourism offerings that align well with their travel behavior.

Van Don International Airport is dubbed the ‘gateway to the skies’ welcoming inbound travelers to the region.

While destinations like Hanoi, Ha Long, Da Nang, and Nha Trang have become familiar (and somewhat saturated), Van Don is emerging as a fresh and appealing choice for Northeast Asian visitors. Home to the pristine Bai Tu Long Bay with hundreds of islands, ancient forests, quiet beaches, rich marine life, and a pleasant climate — Van Don shares similarities with Jeju (Korea) or Hainan (China), yet remains more untouched and diverse.

Van Don also enjoys excellent transport connectivity, particularly with Van Don International Airport — a 4E-standard facility capable of handling direct flights from major cities in South Korea, China, Taiwan (China), and Japan. This makes it an ideal hub for tour operators and airlines like M&H and Korean Air to run charter flights directly into Van Don.

Notably, Van Don is also home to a growing number of large-scale luxury hotels and resorts, such as:

• Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don (tourism-resort-entertainment complex),

• Wyndham Garden Sonasea Van Don,

• Angsana Quan Lan Hotel, and others.

Supporting this are tourism infrastructures like Ao Tien International Port, day & overnight cruise fleets, luxury yachts, and a diverse array of tourism, sports, entertainment, F&B, and shopping services — collectively painting a vibrant picture of Van Don and Bai Tu Long Bay’s tourism scene.

Furthermore, under Decision No. 759/QD-TTg dated April 14, 2025, Van Don has been designated by the Prime Minister as a strategic area within Quang Ninh province to develop into a special economic zone (SEZ). This designation aims to create a new growth engine in Northern Vietnam’s coastal region, ushering in a dynamic new era for Van Don.

Set to launch in Q3 2025, the Crystal Holidays Harbour Van Don complex will fulfill the demand for high-end accommodations catering to international tourists.

With strong economic and tourism development potential, ready-to-operate infrastructure, rich natural and cultural assets, professional tourism operations, and products tailored to the preferences of Northeast Asian visitors — Van Don is rapidly emerging as a gateway for inbound tourism from Korea and the broader region.

The partnership with M&H — following previous agreements with international tour operators such as H&T Travel (Taiwan), Astar Travel (China), and Century Travel & Marketing (Korea) — is a strategic move by Crystal Holidays to seize and materialize the immense opportunities arising from Van Don’s evolution into a special economic zone.