- Jul 3, 2025
BTS Jimin & Jungkook Visit Da Nang: Why Korean Tourists Love Vietnamese Gifts & Food?
When BTS members Jimin and Jungkook visited Da Nang in late June, they weren't just another celebrity sighting – they represented a massive wave of Korean tourism to Vietnam. With 1.3 million Korean visitors in Q1 2025 alone (30% of all international tourists), there's clearly something special drawing Koreans to Vietnam's shores.
The surprising truth? Vietnamese specialties captivate Koreans not just because of reasonable costs, but due to a unique combination of "familiar yet exotic" – comfortable enough to approach, yet different enough to create that sense of discovery.
Let's explore this fascination with CHUS and uncover the secrets behind Korea's love affair with Vietnamese culture and gifts!
Did BTS Jimin and Jungkook Really Visit Da Nang?
Yes, in late June, these two members of the world-famous group took a trip to Da Nang, Vietnam.
1. Jimin and Jungkook's Da Nang Visit Creates Social Media Buzz
The keywords "Jimin, Jungkook, BTS Da Nang" became the hottest trending topics on Vietnamese social media during late June. The two BTS members traveled from June 25-27, marking their first international trip after completing military service on June 11, 2025.
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Jimin and Jungkook spotted in Da Nang and Hoi An (Photo: Internet)
What made this trip special was the absolute secrecy surrounding their itinerary. However, through some leaked images, we know Jimin and Jungkook visited local markets, strolled through Hoi An's ancient streets, and enjoyed Da Nang's sunrise with strict security and professional cameraman escort. While some fans intentionally "leaked" early photos causing mixed reactions, both stars ultimately had quite an engaging trip in Vietnam.
The two BTS stars on the beach at early morning (Photo: Internet)
2. The 2025 Wave of Korean Stars Visiting Vietnam
Just in the first half of 2025, numerous Korean celebrities have visited Vietnam combining performances with leisure:
- Kihyun (MONSTA X) attended a cultural exchange event in Hanoi on June 22, then explored street food and relaxation spots throughout the city.
- Apink & 2NE1 along with BABYMONSTER held their Welcome Back Tour concerts in Ho Chi Minh City on February 15-16, combined with exploring the city's bustling shopping and culinary scenes.
- G-Dragon (BIGBANG) ignited Hanoi with "The Spark K-Star" concert at My Dinh on June 21, while also enjoying spa experiences, cuisine, and shopping.
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G-Dragon rocks Hanoi on June 21 (Photo: Internet)
The common thread in these trips is the smart combination of work and cultural experiences, making Vietnam an ideal destination for Korean tourism.
Vietnam - Korea's Favorite Southeast Asian Destination
Let's look at these impressive numbers to understand just how much Koreans love Vietnam. According to notable Korea-Vietnam tourism statistics for 2025 from VnExpress:
- Q1 2025: 1.3 million Korean visitors to Vietnam
- 30% of total international visitors to Vietnam
- 2025 projection: 5 million visitors, up 11% from 2024
- Vietnam has been Korea's #1 Southeast Asian destination for 3 consecutive years
These numbers don't just show quantitative growth but also qualitative changes in Korean travel behavior.
Korean visitor numbers to Vietnam continue rapid growth
Why Do Koreans Love Visiting Vietnam?
1. Geographic and Policy Factors
- Perfect Distance: Just 4-5 hours flight from Seoul to Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City creates a "close to home" feeling while still being far enough for new experiences.
- Open Policies: The 90-day visa exemption helps Koreans easily plan trips without worrying about complex procedures (according to David Y's LinkedIn post).
2. Smart Economic Factors
With the same budget for domestic Korean travel, they can have premium experiences in Vietnam. 1 Korean won equals about 18-20 VND, creating a more "relaxed" feeling when shopping and dining.
3. Cultural Factors
Koreans feel familiar with many Vietnamese cultural values like respecting elders, family spirit, and expressions of hospitality.
Korean visitors come to Vietnam for convenience and many cultural similarities
Why Do Koreans Love Vietnamese Specialties and Gifts?
1. The "Familiar Yet Exotic" Feeling
Both cultures use chopsticks and rice as staple foods, bringing familiarity and easy integration when Koreans visit Vietnam.
But interestingly, Vietnamese specialties have enough differences – like pho, banh mi, and coffee – to evoke that "cultural discovery" sensation, making experiences culturally rich with Southeast Asian flair while still distinctly Vietnamese.
Vietnamese cuisine delights Korean visitors
2. Sharing Culture
Koreans highly value bringing gifts back for family, colleagues, and beautiful, easy-to-use items like snacks, fish sauce, coconut oil, coffee... are "standard" choices for social gift-giving.
They love "showing off" culinary experiences – specialties like pho – on social media; gifts aren't just material but carry cultural messages and sharing spirit.
3. Reasonable Costs, High Value
Compared to Thailand and Malaysia, costs in Vietnam are lower while still ensuring experiential factors – truly a major plus.
A sharing from tourist Oh Min Seok with VnExpress revealed: "Traveling in Vietnam is much cheaper than other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Malaysia. The cost for a 5-day vacation in Kuala Lumpur is double that of Ho Chi Minh City."
Vietnam travel offers exciting experiences without being too expensive
4. "Holiday Experience" – Combining Relaxation and Discovery
What's interesting is that Vietnamese specialties or Vietnamese souvenirs are often purchased alongside resort stays and beach nights in Da Nang, Phu Quoc – creating impressive "taste and take home" combos. Korean visitors here both relax and explore fully. From this, specialty gifts become emotional connections, like spiritual imprints they bring back from their journey.
5. Uniqueness
Koreans highly value gifts that show meticulousness and craftsmanship in creation. This is exactly why Vietnamese specialties for foreigners like lacquer paintings and handmade ceramics appeal to them.
For instance, when buying a conical hat, Koreans don't just care about beauty but also want to know what leaves it's made from, how long it takes to complete, and its cultural significance. These things Vietnamese handicrafts can completely satisfy.
The uniqueness of Vietnamese products captivates Korean travelers
Korean Travel Behavior When Visiting Vietnam
1. Concentrated Shopping (Tours or Groups)
Korean visitors usually travel in groups, whether friends or entire families together. Therefore, once truly attracted, they typically buy in very large quantities.
2. Seeking Korean Brands in Vietnam
Influenced by the Hallyu wave, Koreans have very high national pride. Thus, they tend to support stores with Korean language support, trust in familiar brands, and feeling secure like at home. However, they're still ready to integrate, as long as the experience is impressive enough.
3. Choosing Vietnamese Specialties Suitable for "Social Gifts"
These are compact products, easy to bring home, usually fast food items. Typically, Vietnamese snacks, coffee, and candies are often brought back to offices by Korean visitors as gifts marking the end of their vacation.
>>> Read more: Gift-Giving in Vietnam for Koreans: Etiquette, Taboos, and Suggestions
Customers usually seek compact gifts after each trip
4. Clear Spending Distribution
According to a survey from Vietnam News, Korean travel behavior in Vietnam is usually very clear and calculated. The statistics show:
- 21% for accommodation
- 17% for food and drink
- Remainder for gifts, shopping & entertainment
Clearly, experiencing specialties and gifts is something they're extremely passionate about in Vietnam.
Gift Suggestions for Koreans from Vietnam's Heart
Group 1: Products Rich in Cultural Identity
- Vietnamese Coffee: Considered a unique flavor everyone falls in love with
- Lacquer Paintings: Art not found anywhere else
- Ceramics: Symbol of meticulousness, distinctive features of Vietnamese art
Group 2: Health and Wellness Products
- Agarwood: Combining spirituality and luxurious relaxation
- Natural Essential Oils: Perfect for the gift trend of fragrances, creating refined experiences
- Herbal Teas: Tea culture similar to Korea's
Light, refined experiences help score points with Korean customers
Group 3: Personalizable Handcrafted Products
Personalized gifts are the "golden" product group because they combine uniqueness, quality, and personalization that Koreans especially treasure.
Personalization should be top priority when finding gifts for Koreans
>>> Read more: See 8 Vietnamese Gifts Most Loved by Koreans (Part 1)
Conclusion
Jimin and Jungkook's (BTS) visit to Da Nang didn't just excite fans but once again confirmed Vietnam's special appeal to Koreans.
Korean tourists' love for Vietnamese specialties and souvenirs stems from their authentic experiences: genuine, refined, and rich in cultural identity. When we understand this clearly, choosing a gift that "touches the right emotions" for Koreans becomes much simpler and more meaningful.
Discover more Vietnamese gifts for Koreans at CHUS – where we connect you with the essence of Vietnamese artisans.
FAQs
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What do Koreans like about Vietnam?
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Did Jimin and Jungkook (BTS) really come to Vietnam?
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What do Koreans like about Vietnam?
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What Vietnamese dishes do Koreans enjoy?
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Which K-pop stars have performed in Vietnam?
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Did Jimin and Jungkook (BTS) really come to Vietnam?
