Vietnam attracts nearly 2.1 million international visitors in January
Tourism revenue in January is estimated at 5.1 trillion VND, up 17.3% compared to the same period last year, driven by high travel demand from both domestic and international holiday-makers on New Year occasion.
The number of international arrivals to Vietnam in January increases 36.9% year-on-year. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The number of international arrivals to Vietnam in January reached nearly 2.1 million, a month-on-month surge of 18.5% and a year-on-year increase of 36.9%, the General Statistics Office announced on February 6.
Of the international visitors, 86.8% came to Vietnam by air, 11% by road, and 2.2% by sea.
Tourism revenue in January is estimated at 5.1 trillion VND, up 17.3% compared to the same period last year, driven by high travel demand from both domestic and international holiday-makers on New Year occasion.
Some localities seeing a year-on-year increase in tourism revenue included Khanh Hoa with a rise of 36.6%; Da Nang, 21%; Ho Chi Minh City, 17.0%; Can Tho, 16%; Hanoi, 14.8%; and Quang Ninh, 14.7%.
Meanwhile, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported that during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, many localities saw a significant increase in the number of international visitors. Da Nang welcomed more than 228,000 visitors, up 29% year-on-year; Quang Nam with 157,000, up 40%; Hanoi with 142,000, up 15.8%; Ho Chi Minh City with 87,358, up 16.5%; and Hue city with 60,170, up 33%.
According to the VNAT's representative, the number of international arrivals to Vietnam continues to increase thanks to the favourable visa policy as well as right orientations on tourist markets and efforts of businesses and localities in renewing tourist products and widespread promotion activities.
In 2025, Vietnam aims to welcome 22-23 million international tourists. Last year, over 17.5 million international tourists came to Vietnam, an increase of 39.5% compared to 2023. In terms of market size, the Republic of Korea was the largest source of tourists for Vietnam in 2024 with 4.5 million arrivals, accounting for 25.98% of the total. China ranked second with 3.7 million arrivals./.
About 800 American nationals aboard the cruise ship Crystal Symphony arrived in Da Nang on January 29, becoming the first visitors to the central city in the Lunar New Year 2025.
The northern province of Quang Ninh, home to UNESCO-recognised Ha Long Bay, is expected to welcome 11 luxury cruise ships with nearly 16,000 international visitors in the first month of 2025.
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.
