Close to 8.5 million foreigners visit Vietnam in first half
Close to 8.5 million foreigners visited Vietnam in the first half of this year, a rise of 7.5 percent year on year, reported the General Statistics Office (GSO) on June 28.
Foreign visitors in Hoi An ancient city (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)– Close to 8.5 million foreigners visited Vietnam in the first half of thisyear, a rise of 7.5 percent year on year, reported the General StatisticsOffice (GSO) on June 28.
Visitors coming byroads surged by 24.9 percent and those arriving by air rose by 4.5 percent.
The tourism sector has set a target of welcoming 18 million foreign visitorsand serving 85 million local visitors this year.
Accordingly, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has launchedtourism promotion events in key markets since the beginning of this year.
In June, a delegation from the Administration joined the Beijing InternationalTourism Expo (BITE), China, aiming to maintain the flow of tourists from thislarge market of Vietnam’s tourism sector.
At BITE, the officials focused on advertizing sea, culture, and urban tourismand eco-tours.
In the meantime, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien ischairing a roadshow featuring Vietnamese tourism and a Vietnam culture-tourismfestival in the Republic of Korea.
Under the Politburo Resolution 08 on developing tourism into a spearheadeconomic sector, the tourism industry looks to attract 17-20 million foreignvisitors and cater for 82 million local tourists, contribute over 10 percent ofGDP, earn revenues of 35 billion USD, and generate 4 million jobs, including1.6 million direct jobs by 2020. -VNA
Vietnamese tourism will be promoted in Taipei, Taiwan, on July 26, while Vietnamese food will be introduced at the 2019 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition, also in Taipei, from July 25-29.
The ASEAN Post of Malaysia has recently run an article featuring the rise of Vietnam’s tourism, in which it affirmed that Vietnam is an emerging regional star in the tourism sector.
Provided with beautiful landscapes, long beaches and rich cultural and marine resources, Binh Dinh province is expected to transform into a key destination for both domestic and foreign visitors.
Located at an altitude of over 1,500 metres above sea level, Sapa is dubbed the “Switzerland of Vietnam” for its temperate climate, breathtaking scenery, and European-inspired architecture.
A quick search for “Vietnam is calling” on TikTok reveals a myriad of clips capturing the excitement of visitors setting off for Vietnam, with short videos showing tourists holding their passports, wheeling their suitcases through airports or exploring Vietnam’s scenic landscapes, diverse cuisine and unique culture - all set to upbeat, catchy soundtracks.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Foreign visitors in Hoi An ancient city (Source: VNA) 
