Hanoi (VNA)𒈔 – Building on impressive growth in international tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2025, provinces and cities across Vietnam are launching dynamic tourism promotion campaigns to sustain momentum and meet ambitious visitor targets.
The country aims to welcome 22–23 million international arrivals and 120–130 million domestic travellers this year.
Exciting domestic tourism initiatives
To capitalise on early-year success, various destinations are rolling out engaging programmes to attract visitors.
In Q2, Da Nang will step up its 2025 tourism campaign, "Enjoy Da Nang 2025 – Diverse Experiences", showcasing fresh travel experiences and exclusive service packages for both local and international guests. The central city vows to maintain top-notch service quality, ensure safety, and uphold transparent business practices to reinforce its image as a welcoming and vibrant destination.
Meanwhile, central Nghe An province will mark the Sen Village Festival 2025 and unveil the President Ho Chi Minh’s Homecoming statue to commemorate the 135th anniversary of the late leader’s birth. Complementing these events will be a Sen-themed culinary zone and "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) showcases, spotlighting local delicacies and crafts.
Quang Nam, another tourist magnet in the central region, will stage a unique exhibition celebrating Vietnam’s tourism, cultural heritage, scenic landmarks, and traditional crafts. The province will also host the Quang Nam International Cuisine Festival 2025 and introduce enticing travel deals during major tourism events like the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival and the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) in Hanoi. Notably, it will promote its tourism offerings at EXPO 2025 Osaka in Japan.
Positive growth signals from localities
The first quarter of 2025 witnessed strong growth in tourism across several regions.
Ho Chi Minh City attracts over 1.6 million international arrivals in the first quarter of this year, up 18.2% year-on-year and achieving 19.2% of its annual target. (Photo: VNA)
During Q1, Ho Chi Minh City welcomed over 1.6 million international arrivals, up 18.2% year-on-year and achieving 19.2% of its annual target. Domestic visitors numbered more than 8.5 million, up 6.3%. Total tourism revenue was estimated at 56.66 trillion VND (2.21 billion USD), up 26.7%.
Quang Nam reported over 2.2 million visitors during the reviewed period, including 1.7 million international arrivals (up 11%) and 500,000 domestic tourists (up 9%), generating 2.86 trillion VND in tourism earnings.
In Hoa Binh, Q1 saw more than 1.6 million visitors (up 5.8%), with international arrivals soaring 56% to 230,000. The northern province’s total tourism revenue hit 1.68 trillion VND, rising 5.7% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, Nghe An welcomed 2.2 million tourists, with over 1.3 million overnight stays and 22,000 international arrivals. Tourism revenue reached 6.65 trillion VND (up 23%).
Acknowledging the significant role of international marketing campaigns in driving the Q1 growth surge, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has urged the sector to further leverage digital marketing strategies, social media platforms, and online booking sites. Collaborating with influential travel bloggers is also encouraged to boost Vietnam’s global tourism appeal./.
Elephant-friendly tourism is a responsible form that helps minimise the impact of tourism activities on elephant health, contributing to conservation efforts and sustainable elephant tourism.
According to Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Tran Thi Hoai Tram, with the event, the city is expecting to welcome 5.25-5.5 million tourist arrivals this year and gain 11-12 trillion VND (430.4 – 470 million USD).
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.
