Vietnam's Tourism Revenue Ranks Fourth in Southeast Asia, Driven by China's Recovery

Vietnam has generated approximately US$25.8 billion (838.73 billion THB) in revenue from international tourism so far this year, further solidifying its position as the fourth-richest country in Southeast Asia by GDP per capita, following Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia. Despite a decline in the overall number of visitors compared to previous periods, the tourism sector has shown robust revenue growth. The recovery of Chinese tourists has been a significant driver of this income. China emerged as the largest source market with 2.86 million visitors, followed by Malaysia with 2.25 million, India with 1.31 million, Russia with 1.06 million, and South Korea with 631,777. Tourism activity notably strengthened during the week of July 12-18, with Thailand welcoming 585,189 foreign visitors, a 4.04% increase from the previous week. This trend was supported by summer school holidays, increased flight frequencies on key routes such as Shenzhen-Phuket, and the launch of new international services, including flydubai's Dubai-Bangkok route and Thai Airways' Amsterdam-Suvarnabhumi service. Under its one-party system, Vietnam prioritizes economic growth, with the tourism industry serving as a crucial pillar for foreign exchange earnings and job creation. While relations with China are complex, marked by deep economic interdependence and geopolitical tensions, the recovery of the Chinese tourism market provides a significant boost to Vietnam's economy.