Vietnam welcomes nearly 7.6 million int'l tourists in five months
Vietnam served nearly 7.6 million international holiday-makers in the first five months of this year, up 64.9% year-on-year and 3.9% compared to the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported on May 29.
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam served nearly 7.6 million international holiday-makers in the first five months of this year, up 64.9% year-on-year and 3.9% compared to the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported on May 29.
Of them, 83.7% traveled by air, 14.2% by land, and 2.1% by sea.
In May alone, the country accommodated nearly 1.4 million foreign arrivals, surging by 51% over the same period last year.
Favourable visa policies and attractive tourism stimulus programmes in many localities were attributed to the rising number of foreign visitors to Vietnam, according to the GSO.
Revenue from accommodation and catering services in the reviewed period was estimated to reach 296.3 trillion VND (over 11.64 billion USD), an increase of 15.1% over the same period last year while travel tourism revenue totaled an estimated 24.2 trillion VND, marking a year-on-year rise of 45.1%./.
According to a report from the World Economic Forum (WEF), Vietnam’s tourism climbed eight places in its Travel and Tourism Development Index between 2019 and 2021, making it one of the three biggest improvers in the world.
In 2024, the country ranked 59 among the 1꧑19 economies nationwide, reaching 3.96 points, down three places co𓆉mpared to 2021./.
Facilitative visa policies and attractive tourism stimulus programmes have proven effective in attracting a high number of international visitors to Vietnam compared to the same period last year.
Vietnam's tourism industry could achieve its goal of welcoming 12-13 million international visitors by the end of this year, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Pham Van Thuy told a regular press conference of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi on October 9.
The Red-shanked douc langur, an extraordinary species of animal known as the “Queen of Primates”, has gained recognition globally, not just in Vietnam. The remarkable creature is listed in the Vietnam Red Book of Endangered Species and has consistently captivated international visitors, making it a highlight of Son Tra Peninsula in the central coastal city of Da Nang.
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.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
