Vietnam welcomed 12.6 million international arrivals in 2023, with the Republic of Korea (RoK) and China being the largest source markets, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
Foreign visitors touring the Hanoi Old Quarter on cyclos (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamwelcomed 12.6 million international arrivals in 2023, with the Republic ofKorea (RoK) and China being the largest source markets, according to the VietnamNational Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
The biggest group of visitors came from the RoK with 3.6 million, while afurther 1.7 million arrived from China.
TheVNAT said that the number of foreign visitors to Vietnam accounted for 70% ofthe figure recorded in 2019 – the time before the COVID-19 outbreak.
A goodrecovery was seen in the US, the RoK, Taiwan (China), Thailand and Indonesia,while upbeat signs came from the Europe, especially Spain, Germany, the UK andFrance.
China – a traditional tourism feeder market of Vietnam had ꦫa slow recovery r🎃ateof 30%, and Russia only 19%.
Foreign visitors at Ha Long International Cruise Port (Photo: VNA)
The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council(WTTC) forecast that the global tourism is on track of full recovery in 2024,reaching the pre-COVID level.
International visitors’ demand continues to revolve, requiring countries toimprove the quality of the tourism offerings and experience, they said, addingadvanced technologies such as AI and digital transformation will speed up theformation of new challenges for the tourism sector.
This year, Vietnam eyes to welcome 17-18 million international visitors, andserve 110 million domestic ones. Total tourism revenue is targeted at around840 trillion VND (34.6 billion USD).
Especially, the Visit Vietnam Year – Dien Bien 2024 with 169 national andprovincial programmes and events is expected to bring new experience tovisitors.
Lastyear, the c♛ountry gained some 678 trillion VND 🦄in tourism revenue, surpassing 4.3%of the set target./.
Despite belt tightening as a result of gloomy global economic situation, French could not give up their travel temptation. Vietnam, along with Japan and Thailand, was the top choice for French vacationers during Christmas holiday, according to French daily Le Figaro.
The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, one of the country's seven key tourism regions, has identified 53 classic destinations designated by the Mekong Delta Tourism Association.
Hoi An ancient city, UNESCO-recognsied world cultural heritage, in the central province of Quang Nam served tens of thousands of tourists on the occasion of the New Year holiday from December 30, 2023 to January 1, 2024.
The first domestic and international visitors to Vietnam in 2014 received a special welcome ceremony with bouquets and special gifts held by the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines in collaboration with localities nationwide on January 1.
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.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Foreign visitors touring the Hanoi Old Quarter on cyclos (Photo: VNA) 
Foreign visitors at Ha Long International Cruise Port (Photo: VNA) 
