Increasing number of foreign arrivals in January creates impetus to fulfil yearly target
The number of foreign arrivals to Vietnam in the first month of 2024 reached over 1.5 million, the highest ever recorded for a month since the country fully reopened all tourism activities in March 2022, according to Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
The number of foreign arrivals to Vietnam in the first month of 2024 reached over 1.5 million (Photo: vietnamnet.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – The number of foreign arrivals toVietnam in the first month of 2024 reached over 1.5 million, the highest everrecorded for a month since the country fully reopened all tourism activities inMarch 2022, according to Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
The figure represented an increase of 10.3% compared toprevious month and a 73.6% hike compared to the same period last year.
This is a positive signal for Vietnam's tourism industry,creating motivation for the sector to achieve the goals of receiving 17-18million international visitors, serving 110 million domestic tourists and earning about 840 trillion VND (34.3 billionUSD) in tourism revenue in 2024.
The Republic of Korea (RoK) remained the largest sourcemarket for Vietnam tourism in January with 417,576 visitors, accounting for27.6% of the total. It was followed by China andTaiwan (China). Meanwhile, UK, France, Germany and Russia sent the largest numbers of European tourists to Vietnam.
According to the VNAT, January witnessed remarkable growth inEuropean markets that enjoy unilateral visa exemption. It reflected the positiveimpact of a policy on extending the temporary stay period for citizens from countriesunilaterally exempted from visa from 15 to 45 days.
Vietnam had 25 destinations and establishments named in different categories of the ASEAN Tourism Awards at a ceremony held as part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2024 in Laos on January 26.
They were honoured for six categories, namely ASEAN Green Hotel, ASEAN Clean Tourist City, A😼SEAN MICE Venue Award for Meeting Room, ASEAN MICE Venue Award for Exhibition Venue, ASEAN MICE Venue Award for Event Venue, and ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award for Gastronomy Tourism theme./.
Vietnam's tourism industry has set a target to welcome 17-18 million foreign visitors in 2024, approaching the pre-pandemic record in 2019 when COVID-19 had yet to disrupt global travel.
A sudden surge in the number of overseas Vietnamese booking domestic tours and the recovery of international arrivals right since the start of 2024 are among positive signs promising a breakthrough year for the tourism industry.
The global tourism market is set to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2024, and Vietnam will not stand out from this trend, insiders have said.
Vietnam's tourism industry stands at the threshold of a remarkable milestone, with experts asserting that an impressive figure of 14-15 million foreign visitors could be achieved this year, provided unexpected issues are kept at bay.
Each summer, Bac Giang welcomes not just the fruit harvest, but also a wave of visitors eager to explore its landscape and culture. Once a purely agricultural product, lychees are increasingly becoming a signature feature of sustainable tourism in the region.
Localities like Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh, when reorganised, could form a new growth pole, leveraging their combined potential in ecological, historical, and spiritual tourism.
Gulf News, one of two English-language daily publications in the Persian Gulf region, listed the main reasons for its destination picks as being a mix of iconic cities, cultural treasures, tropical escapes, and foodie havens.
With the country rapidly advancing its plan to merge provincial-level administrative units, set to be completed by mid-August, the tourism industry, along with other sectors, is presented with challenges but also significant opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth in the era of the nation's rise.
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.
The number of foreign arrivals to Vietnam in the first month of 2024 reached over 1.5 million (Photo: vietnamnet.vn) 
