Vietnam's tourism industry has responded by prioritising the RoK market in its development strategy for the 2011 - 2020 period.

Ha Long city and Ho Chi Minh city are especially favoured by RoK visitors thanks to their reasonable prices and renowned tourist destinations.

Mr Ha Van Sieu, Head of the Institute for Tourism Development Research (ITDR), said RoK tourism's high seasons are in January, July, and August.

Statistics show that from 2000 - 2005, the daily average spending of a RoK tourist in Vietnam was USD96.9—a little lower than that from Japan (USD99.4), but much higher than a US tourist (USD74.1).

The average RoK tourist's spending has now jumped to USD527.9 if on a full package tour and USD259.9 if traveling independently.

The sudden surge in the number of RoK travelers to Vietnam shows Vietnamese services are able to satisfy their quality demands.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) said RoK visitors were attracted to Vietnam because the government has offered RoK citizens holding regular passports 15 day visa exemptions.

Vietnam and the RoK share many cultural similarities and the two countries' ties, especially economically, have only multiplied. In October 2009, the two governments lifted the status of their relations to a strategic partnership.

Vietnam's proximity to the RoK also makes travel easier and more convenient.

To lure more RoK tourists, the VNAT will coordinate with related agencies to offer tourism services tailored to the RoK people's taste. It will also launch an official Korean language website promoting domestic tourism.

In addition to organising annual cultural and tourism events in the RoK itself, the tourism industry will survey the market to plan future promotions in both Vietnam and the RoK.

It will employ RoK citizens currently living in Vietnam to work as translators, managers, and administrators for domestic outbound tour operators.