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.
ꦛ They were honoured for six categories, namely ASEAN Green Hotel, ASEAN Clean Tourist City, ASEAN 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.
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.
The number of foreign arrivals to Vietnam in the first month of 2024 reached over 1.5 million (Photo: vietnamnet.vn) 
