Aussie Specialist Program (ASP) has officially been rolled out in Vietnam as part of Tourism Australia’s efforts to tap into the surging interest among Vietnamese travellers for holidays Down Under.
The rollout, conducted via two launch events held in Ho Chi Minh City (on November 25) and Hanoi (on November 27), brought together travel planners, product managers, and frontline staff from 91 leading Vietnamese travel companies. These sessions aimed to equip participants with deep insights into Australia’s myriad tourism offerings – from pristine beaches and bush‑land adventures to cultural hotspots, urban escapes, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions)‑ready destinations.
The decision to expand ASP into Vietnam comes against the backdrop of a sharp rise in Vietnamese visitor arrivals to Australia – up 37% compared to 2019 – making Vietnam one of Australia’s fastest‑growing source markets. Tourism Australia hopes that by empowering Vietnamese agents with robust product knowledge and visa‑processing guidance, interest can be converted into confirmed bookings.
Representatives of five major state tourism bodies – Destination New South Wales, South Australia Tourism Commission, Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Western Australia and Visit Victoria – showcased their flagship attractions to the Vietnamese travel trade, covering everything from sun‑drenched coastlines and outback adventures to wine regions, city experiences and tropical getaways.
Additionally, during the launch events, agents were given visa‑related training by the Australian Consulate-General, Ho Chi Minh City and the Australian Embassy, Hanoi – a crucial step, given that navigating visa procedures often represents a barrier for interested travellers.
According to Jennifer Doig, Regional General Manager for South and Southeast Asia at Tourism Australia, Vietnam has long been an important partner for Australia — owing to strong economic, educational, and cultural ties – and is quickly emerging as a premier outbound market in Asia. The ASP is expected to help transform rising interest in Australian travel into concrete bookings.
With improved aviation links, rising incomes, and growing demand for international holidays among Vietnam’s expanding middle class, Australia’s diverse tourism portfolio – from beach vacations, nature adventures, culinary and cultural journeys to business‑travel ready MICE services – holds significant appeal. Tourism Australia’s strategy aims to leverage this interest by ensuring that Vietnamese travel agents are well‑equipped to craft and sell compelling, tailor‑made Australian itineraries.
By embedding the Aussie Specialist certification within Vietnam’s travel industry, Tourism Australia is laying the groundwork for deeper bilateral tourism flows. If successful, this could position Australia as a top holiday destination for Vietnamese travellers – and strengthen travel ties between Southeast Asia and Australia.
