Vietnam welcomed more than 3 million foreign tourist arrivals in the first two months of 2024, up 68.7% year-on-year, and equivalent to 98.5% of the figure recorded before the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the General Statistics Office.
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam welcomed more than 3 million foreign touristarrivals in the first two months of 2024, up 68.7% year-on-year, andequivalent to 98.5% of the figure recorded before the COVID-19 outbreak, accordingto the General Statistics Office.
Localities across the country also served14 million domestic visitors, of whom 4.9 million stayed overnight.
Total revenue from tourists in the periodreached 136.1 trillion VND (5.5 billion USD).
The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism(VNAT) said that these figures showed positive recovery of Vietnamese tourism,and are a foundation for the sector to fulfill its target of 18 million foreigntourists this year.
In the period, all regions reported growth in the number of holiday-makers to Vietnam, such as Asia (77.8%), Europe (76%),Oceania (36.5%), and America (8.4%).
The Republic of Korea remained the biggest source of visitors to Vietnam, followed by China, Taiwan (China)and the US.
The potential Indian market continued to seeoptimistic signals with an increase of 34.7% over the same period in 2023,ranking 8th in the top 10 markets of Vietnamese tourism.
Notably, all European markets reported growth, especially markets enjoying the unilateral visa exemption policy suchas the UK (32.6%), France (34.6%), Italy (82.3%), Spain (48.5%), and Russia(58.7%)./.
As may as 43 international cruise ships have chosen Nha Trang Bay in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa to dock, bringing tourists to the resort city of Nha Trang, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.
The headquarters of the People's Council and People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City - a national architectural relic - will open its doors to visitors for tours free of charge this year.
Last year, northern localities enjoyed flourishing tourism while many destinations in this region won international awards and recognition, greatly contributing to Vietnam’s tourism development.
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.
Foreign tourists visit Vietnam (Photo: VNA) 
