Vietnam expects to welcome 13 million foreign visitors this year
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will propose the Government revise the target of international tourists to 12.5-13 million from only 8 million this year, a 56% increase from the plan set at the beginning of the year.
Foreign tourists visit a tourism site in Hanoi. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Culture,Sports and Tourism said it will propose the Government revise the target ofinternational tourists to 12.5-13 million from only 8 million thisyear, a 56% increase from the plan set at the beginning of the year.
The proposal is based on positive signs in Septemberas the country welcomed more than 1.05 million foreign visitors, marking thethird consecutive month the figure has surpassed the 1 million mark.
In the first nine months of this year, the tourism industry served 8.9 million foreign holidaymakers, and 93.5 million domestic tourists,pocketing some 536.5 trillion VND (22.07 billion USD),according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
The Republic of Korea (RoK) remained the biggestsource of tourists to Vietnam in the nine-month period with nearly 2.6 million,followed by China and Taiwan (China). In Europe, the UK, France and Germanywere the biggest markets for Vietnam’s tourism.
With the peak season for international tourism aroundthe corner, the industry expects a surge in the number of foreign vacationersthanks to the new visa policy, which was put in place August 15.
Under the law, the e-visa validity period isextended to 90 days from 30 days. Foreigners can enter and exit Vietnam unlimited times and without having toapply for new visas. The law also permits citizens of the countries entitled toVietnam’s unilateral visa exemption to be granted a temporary residence periodof 45 days, instead of 15 days like in the past, and have visa granting andtemporary residence extensions considered in line with regulations.
VNAT’s website at //vietnam.travel/ has continuedpromoting tourism products and destinations, and major events. Meanwhile, localitieshave diversified tourism products and stepped up promotion activities toattract both domestic and foreign holidaymakers in the remaining months of thisyear.
Notably, there will be Hue Festival 2023 – Winter Festival in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and Ban GiocWaterfall Festival in the northern province of Cao Bang this month.
In Hanoi, the Hanoi Gift Show 2023, which kicked offon October 1, is treating visitors to a wide range of local handicrafts andexhibitors to myriad opportunities for business links and market expansion./.
Vietnam welcomed nearly 6.6 million international visitors in the first seven months of this year, accounting for 83% of the yearly target, according to Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
The search for destinations in Vietnam has increased sharply after a new visa policy was approved by the National Assembly (NA), according to Agoda, a digital travel platform.
The northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh aims to make its tourism a spearhead and sustainable economic sector by 2030, attracting at least 25.5-26 million visitors, including about 9 million foreigners.
As the peak season for international tourism is approaching, after a long time being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has determined it is a time for tourism sector to rebound and thrive.
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 tourists visit a tourism site in Hanoi. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn) 
