Vietnam is witnessing a surge in South Korean tourists coming to visit, live, and work, surpassing by more than 50% the number of tourists from other ASEAN countries combined, according to Nikkei Asia.
Korean tourists walk in a Korean neighborhood in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Yuki Kohara.
Peter Jung, the owner of a premium clinic in Ho Chi Minh City specializing in scalp micropigmentation (SMP) treatment for hair loss, did not expect the overwhelming number of Korean tourists patronizing his business shortly after its opening.
Initially, Jung’s business targeted urban Vietnamese customers, and he even hired a bilingual interpreter for Korean-Vietnamese translation.
However, the high volume of Korean tourists using his services has shifted Jung’s perspective on the spending habits of his fellow Koreans.
“SMP treatments are quite costly, often equivalent to an entire month’s salary. The fact that Koreans are coming to Vietnam and opting for these Korean beauty services shows that the purchasing power of overseas Koreans has reached a level that can foster its own ecosystem in Southeast Asia,” Jung shared with Nikkei Asia.
Number of Koreans living in Vietnam and some ASEAN countries. Photo: Nikkei Asia.
In two “Korean Towns” in Ho Chi Minh City, people can find a range of services in Korean, from dental clinics and 3D golf simulators to stock trading and real estate agencies.
This trend is not limited to Ho Chi Minh City; Hanoi also has distinct areas predominantly inhabited by Koreans. Smaller Korean communities are emerging in provinces like Binh Duong and Dong Nai, where many foreign factories are located.
According to Nikkei Asia, approximately 178,000 South Koreans are currently living and working in Vietnam—60,000 more than in the rest of Southeast Asia combined, according to data from South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Japanese-based publication also notes that the wave of Koreans visiting Vietnam to explore history, seek investment opportunities, and start families shows no signs of slowing down.
Korean tourists enjoy exploring Vietnamese cuisine, alongside historical structures. Photo: Phuong Lam.
Aside from Vietnam, the United States, Japan, Canada, and China are the top four countries with the largest populations of Korean residents.
Data from the Korean Chamber of Commerce indicates that approximately 10,000 Korean-owned businesses operate in Vietnam, doubling over the past eight years.
These businesses are expanding to include tennis clubs, golf resorts, and they employ local staff in various fields, from accounting and coaching to tutoring, interior design, and acupuncture.
Park Jongil, CEO of Woori Bank Vietnam, remarked that cultural and traditional similarities make it easy for Koreans to feel comfortable and adapt quickly to life in Vietnam.
However, some lifestyle differences between the two countries still pose challenges for Koreans. Common issues include dealing with petty bribery and occasionally irritable taxi drivers.
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