Vietnam Welcomes Nearly 14 Million Foreign Arrivals in Jan-July

Vietnam welcomed nearly 14 million foreign visitors in the first seven months of this year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT). The sustained double-digit growth is attributed to the country's increasing attractiveness as a destination, supported by more favorable visa policies, expanded international flight networks, stronger tourism promotion efforts, and continuous improvements in tourism products and service quality. In July alone, 1.67 million international visitors arrived in Vietnam, a 6.6 percent increase year-on-year. This strong performance occurred despite ongoing uncertainties in the global tourism industry and Vietnam's traditional low season for international travel. China remained Vietnam's largest source market during the January–July period, with approximately 3.1 million visitors, accounting for 22.2 percent of total arrivals. South Korea ranked second with 2.4 million visitors. Russia continued to rank third with 864,000 arrivals, marking a remarkable 174 percent increase from a year earlier, making it Vietnam's largest European source market. The VNAT cited the restoration of direct air routes, increased flight frequencies, and growing demand among Russian travelers for Vietnam's beach destinations as key drivers for this sharp rebound. Europe emerged as the fastest-growing region, with visitor arrivals increasing by an average of 53.4 percent year-on-year. Besides Russia, arrivals from Poland rose 51.3 percent, the Czech Republic up 28.6 percent, Sweden up 24.7 percent, and Switzerland up 21.7 percent. All four markets benefit from Vietnam's visa exemption policy, underscoring the effectiveness of measures aimed at facilitating travel and attracting high-spending visitors. Among Asian markets, the Philippines recorded the strongest growth, with arrivals surging 63.6 percent, followed by India (up 42.9 percent), Cambodia (up 40.8 percent), Singapore (up 31 percent), Indonesia (up 27.3 percent), and Malaysia (up 21.6 percent). Asia continued to be a major growth engine, supported by geographic proximity, expanding air connectivity, and increasing demand for regional travel. Long-haul markets also posted healthy gains. Visitor arrivals from the U.S. increased 18.3 percent, Canada up 25.1 percent, Australia up 22.5 percent, and New Zealand up 22.4 percent. These markets contributed significantly to tourism revenue, as their visitors generally have longer stays and higher spending levels. Looking ahead, the VNAT expects international arrivals to continue rising as the peak travel season begins in the third quarter and extends through the end of the year. The agency plans to sustain growth by leveraging visa facilitation measures, expanding international air services, diversifying tourism offerings, and intensifying promotional campaigns in key overseas markets, with the aim of achieving the target of 25 million international visitors in 2026.