The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 48.8 percent decline in the number of foreign tourists visiting Vietnam in the first five months of the year, with the total standing at 3.73 million.
Boats carry tourists to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Tam Coc - Bich Dong, a famous destination in Ninh Binh province (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a 48.8 percent decline in the number offoreign tourists visiting Vietnam in the first five months of the year, with thetotal standing at 3.73 million.
The GeneralStatistics Office (GSO) announced on May 29 that 72.9 percent of foreigntourists in the period were from Asia, with numbers from the region down 51.4percent year-on-year.
Falls were seen inalmost all major markets, such as China (down 57.2 percent), Malaysia (53.9percent), the Republic of Korea (53.4 percent), Japan (48.2 percent), France(47.5 percent), the UK (44.3 percent), and Russia (23.2 percent).
Conversely, thenumber of Cambodian tourists surged 118.3 percent.
Revenue fromtourism services in the period was estimated at 8.3 trillion VND (359 millionUSD), down 54.1 percent. Localities seeing significant declines in revenueinclude the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau (72.9 percent), south-centralKhanh Hoa province (68.2 percent), HCM City (66.1 percent), and northern QuangNinh province (65.4 percent).
Vietnam hassuspended granting visas to foreigners amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Most foreignvisitors currently in the country are experts and technicians.
The Ministry ofCulture, Sports and Tourism launched the “Vietnamese people travel in Vietnam” programmein early May to stimulate domestic tourism./.
The northwestern province of Lao Cai organised a summer tourism promotion programme from May 22-24 with a view to luring holidaymakers to the locality in general and the resort township of Sa Pa in particular.
More than 170,000 tourists visited Quang Ninh between May 1 and 24 as a result of promotional programmes the northern coastal province has launched following the resumption of tourism activities this month after social distancing measures to tackle COVID-19 were eased, according to the local Tourism Department.
Around 60 percent of travel companies in HCM City have resumed operating while the rest are expected to regain business in the fourth quarter of the year, according to the city’s Department of Tourism.
The Management Board of the My Son Sanctuary World Cultural Heritage Site is focusing on increasing service quality and offering discounts of 30-50 percent on tickets to attract more visitors to central Quang Nam province as COVID-19 is brought under control in Vietnam.
The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control reached agreement at a meeting on May 28 that the country should not open door to all foreign tourists at this time, as risks of transmission from outside remain.
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.
Boats carry tourists to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Tam Coc - Bich Dong, a famous destination in Ninh Binh province (Photo: VNA) 
