Vietnam Sees International Tour Operators Reach 4,652, Reflecting Tourism Recovery and Growth

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has reported a significant increase in the number of international tour operators across the country, reaching a total of 4,652 businesses as of July 15, 2026. This figure comprises 1,336 joint-stock companies, 3,310 limited liability companies, and 6 private enterprises. In July alone, the administration processed 103 administrative procedures related to international tour business operations, including the issuance of 55 new licenses, 30 license renewals, and 18 license revocations. Cumulatively, for the first seven months of 2026, 740 applications were processed, with 340 new licenses, 235 renewals, 1 reissue, and 164 revocations. The high volume of processed applications reflects a growing demand to enter the market amidst positive tourism growth. Furthermore, the issuance of tour guide cards has also seen a substantial rise. In July 2026, provincial tourism management departments issued 900 new and renewed tour guide cards, with 695 being new issuances and 205 renewals. Over the first seven months, a total of 4,427 guide cards were issued, with new cards accounting for approximately three-quarters of the total. This indicates a continuous expansion of the guide workforce to meet market development needs. As of July 15, there are 46,662 active tour guide cards nationwide, categorized into 28,205 international, 16,188 domestic, and 2,269 site-specific guides. In terms of tourism site management, as of July 15, Vietnam has recognized 10 national tourist areas, 70 provincial tourist areas, and 538 tourist spots. The expansion of these recognized areas aims to enhance destination management, leverage tourism resources, particularly cultural, historical, and heritage values, and stimulate local tourism development. Regarding accommodation, the administration issued 6 decisions on the classification of 4-5 star tourist accommodation facilities in July, with 2 new establishments and 4 re-evaluations. For the first seven months of 2026, 84 such decisions were made, comprising 31 new assessments and 53 re-assessments. As of July 16, the country boasts 312 five-star accommodation facilities with 99,469 rooms and 349 four-star facilities with 47,654 rooms. This high-end accommodation sector continues to strengthen its capacity to serve international tourists, luxury resort guests, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) travelers, and large-scale tourism events. Overall, the state management of tourism has been implemented comprehensively across tour operations, guides, tourist areas, and accommodation facilities. The dynamic pace of licensing and guide card issuance underscores the expanding tourism market and the business community's confidence in the sector's future prospects. The ongoing focus on license revocations, accommodation re-assessments, and tourist site recognition aims to bolster state management effectiveness and ensure business standards and service quality.