The recent boom in international tourism has placed Khanh Hoa among Vietnam’s leading provinces for foreign visitors. In 2024, the province welcomed over 3.6 million international tourists, accounting for nearly 30% of the total number of foreign arrivals in Vietnam. Cam Ranh Airport now handles more than 30 international flights daily, making it one of the country’s busiest gateways. In this era of integration, foreign language proficiency is a critical factor for improving the quality of services and local competitiveness.
The three pillar languages: English, Chinese, and Korean
Korean tourists currently lead the pack in Khanh Hoa. In the first half of 2024, the province received nearly 1 million Korean visitors, making up 41.6% of its total international guests. This number continued to grow, with more than 1 million arrivals from the “Land of the Morning Calm” in the first five months of 2025, an increase of 4.1% year-on-year. These tourists tend to have high spending habits and prefer longer stays, primarily at 4- and 5-star resorts in Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, and Vinh Hai (formerly Ninh Thuan). This dynamic market creates a significant demand for human resources proficient in Korean across the tourism, service, real estate, and trade sectors.
Simultaneously, Chinese remains crucial, as China is a traditional market for Nha Trang and Cam Ranh. Although tourist numbers have not yet fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, the growth potential is immense, especially as charter flights are gradually being restored. Given the geographical proximity and the need for trade exchanges, human resources proficient in Chinese continue to be essential for businesses in both tourism and import-export.
English, as a global language, also holds an irreplaceable role. Beyond serving tourists from Europe, Australia, and the U.S., English is a vital bridge for international trade, logistics, diplomacy, and education. With Khanh Hoa attracting numerous foreign direct investment (FDI) companies, English has become a crucial intermediary language, helping the province connect with global partners.
The foreign language human resource gap
Despite the immense potential, Khanh Hoa still faces a significant shortage of foreign language professionals. Many businesses are forced to recruit from outside the province due to a lack of local labor with professional language skills. This highlights the urgent need to train language personnel in practical, job-specific fields like tour guiding, hotel reception, logistics, and international communication.
This new context presents many opportunities: a strong tourism recovery, the Van Phong Economic Zone becoming an attractive destination for international investment capital, and the expansion of cross-border educational and labor cooperation programs. Investing in foreign language training is not just about meeting immediate needs – it’s a long-term strategy for Khanh Hoa to achieve sustainable integration.
Foreign languages – especially English, Chinese, and Korean – are not just key to attracting international tourists; they are also laying the groundwork for comprehensive socioeconomic development in Khanh Hoa. In line with this trend, Thai Binh Duong University is focusing its language programs on the practical needs of the local area. Students are equipped with advanced language skills and professional expertise, preparing them to integrate into the international workforce right in their hometown.
Given the potential and emerging opportunities, language studies are a strategic choice for young people who want to be part of Khanh Hoa’s dynamic growth on the global map.