Foreign arrivals to Vietnam have reached over 4 million so far this year, up 20 percent year on year, with an increase being seen in most tourist markets.
Tourists visiting Lao Chai - Ta Van in Lao Cai (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign arrivals to Vietnam have reached over 4 million so fꦗar this year, up 20 percent year on year, with an increase being 🎀seen in most tourist markets.
In May alone, Vietnam welcomed 757,244 foreign visitors, representing a drop of 4.1 percent over the previous month but a rise of 30.2 percent compared to the same period last year, the Vietnam Administration of Tourism revealed on May 26.
Particularly, a surge was seen in the number of visitors from countries enjoying a visa exemption under the Government’s Resolution 46/NQ-CP dated June 18 last year, with Italy up 30.1 percent, the UK 24.4 percent, Spain 22.4 percent, German 17.6 percent, and France 13 percent.
The administration also reported that the tourism sector earned more than 167.4 trillion VND (760 million USD) in the January-May period, up 20.7 percent over the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the figure for domestic tourists in the first five months of this year is 27.3 million. It is predicted to continue rising until the end of the season in September.
Beaches and mountainous destinations are forecast to be the most crowded places. Especially, Phu Quoc island in the southern province of Kien Giang is expected to lure a large number of visitors thanks to the Phu Quoc-Mekong Delta National Tourism Year 2016.
At the same time, in its recent report, real estate services provider Savills Group said over 70 percent of foreign tourists choose Vietnam’s sunny beaches to spend their holidays. In the 2010-2015 period, Da Nang, Nha Trang province and Phu Quoc have enjoyed a surge of average 23 percent annually. These destinations lure about 30 percent of the country’s total visitors.
In the meantime, the Vietnam Culture-Tourism Village of Ethnic Groups in Hanoi reported that it received 300,000 visitors, mostly Vietnamese, a rise of 50,000 compared to the same period in 2015.
Along with a diversity of activities, the village will organise an impressive summer month programme, creating an attractive playground for visitors.-VNA
Visitors from China topped the list of foreign tourists to the southern central province of Khanh Hoa in the first three months of 2016 with more than 107,000 arrivals.
Hanoi has been building new tourism products to lure more domestic and foreign visitors to the capital city, affirming its position as a tourism centre of the country.
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.
Tourists visiting Lao Chai - Ta Van in Lao Cai (Photo: VNA)
