Vietnam aims for 20.5 million foreign tourists in 2020
The tourism sector has set the goal of attracting 20.5 million international visitors in 2020 and serving 90 million domestic travellers, it was said at a review meeting of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) in Hanoi on December 23.
Foreign visitors at a tourism destination in Thua Thien - Hue province (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The tourism sector has set the goal ofattracting 20.5 million international visitors in 2020 and serving 90 milliondomestic travellers, it was said at a review meeting of the Vietnam NationalAdministration of Tourism (VNAT) in Hanoi on December 23.
The VNAT reported that an estimated 18 million foreign visitors came toVietnam in 2019, up more than 16 percent from the figure of 2018.
The number of domestic travellers also rose by 6 percent to 85 million.
In total, the tourism sector earned more than 720 trillion VND (nearly16.7 billion USD), an increase of 16 percent on a yearly basis. The average growth of tourists in the three consecutive years from 2016was 22 percent a year, putting Vietnam among the 10 countries with highesttourism growth in the world.
Next year, Vietnam will host a number of major events that are expectedto draw tourists, including the Formula 1 Vietnam Grand Prix and the NationalTourism Year 2020./.
The 14th National Assembly will debate this week some draft laws, including the law amending and supplementing some articles of the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, as part of the ongoing eighth session.
Tourism in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh has changed significantly and is entering a period of sustainable development thanks to the presence of strategic investors, according to Director of provincial Department of Tourism Pham Ngoc Thuy.
The central province of Khanh Hoa will hold a ceremony on December 28 to wrap up National Tourism Year 2019 which was themed “Nha Trang – Colour of the Sea”.
Vietnam welcomed a record number of international arrivals in October, reaching nearly 1.62 million, up 34.3 percent year-on-year, according to figures released by the General Statistics Office (GSO)
To draw high-spending tourists, Vietnam needs to create high-quality products and services as well as increase marketing of popular destinations in the country and build a national tourism brand.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
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.
Foreign visitors at a tourism destination in Thua Thien - Hue province (Source: VNA) 
