Foreign tourist arrivals to Vietnam up 42.4 percent in November
Vietnam welcomed over 15,000 foreign tourists in November, up 42.4 percent from the figure in October, the General Statistics Office (GSO) announced on November 29.
Foreign tourists visit Hoi An ancient city in Quang Nam province.(Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam welcomed over 15,000 foreign tourists inNovember, up 42.4 percent from the figure in October, the General StatisticsOffice (GSO) announced on November 29.
The rise is attributed to the Government’s decision to allowa pilot programme to welcome back international tourists who join package tours entering the country via either charter flights or international commercialflights to designated places and tourism facilities in Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Khanh Hoa,Quang Nam, Da Nang and Quang Ninh.
In the first 11 months of this year, the number offoreign tourist arrivals to Vietnam was 140,100, down 96.3 percent year-on-year.
Of the total, the number of visitors arriving by air accountedfor 68.9 percent, down 96.9 percent; by road accounted for 30.7percent, down 92.9 percent, and by sea made up 0.4 percent, down 99.7percent.
Tourists from the Republic of Korea visit Phu Quoc. (Photo: VNA)
General Director of the Vietnam National Administration ofTourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh affirmed that the event to welcome the first delegationof international holidaymakers back to Vietnam in this period was an importantstep to gradually revive the tourism sector towards the full reopening and economicdevelopment in the new context.
In order to enhance the effectiveness of the “Live fully inVietnam” campaign, the VNAT is actively implementing activities to promote andstimulate tourism recovery, including popularising photos, video clips andarticles on both domestic and international communications channels./.
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has proposed the city welcome fully vaccinated foreign tourists from December in a document submitted to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Four central localities including Da Nang, Quang Nam, Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Binh jointly held a webinar on November 22 to promote tourism to the Republic of Korean market.
The central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, home to famous beach towns Nha Trang and Cam Ranh, on November 25 welcomed the first international tourists with vaccine passports after a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The central coastal province of Khanh Hoa expects to welcome some 9,350 international tourists on board 48 flights from now until the end of 2021, according to director of the provincial Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Le Thanh.
More than 40 international tourists visited My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site in central Quang Nam province on November 22, after a long period of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
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.
Foreign tourists visit Hoi An ancient city in Quang Nam province.(Photo: VNA) 
Tourists from the Republic of Korea visit Phu Quoc. (Photo: VNA) 
