Vietnam Set To Welcome 23 Million Foreign Tourists This Year – OpEd
Việtnam is setting its sights high, aiming to attract 22 to 23 million international visitors this year. While ambitious, this target reflects the country’s steadfast commitment to positioning tourism as a key pillar of economic growth, the Vietnam News newspaper reported.
Despite the remaining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation wrought by natural disasters, Việtnam’s tourism sector has staged a stunning recovery.
The country welcomed 17.5 million international visitors last year, reaching 98 percent of the pre-pandemic figures recorded in 2019. This pace of recovery places Việtnam ahead of regional peers like Thailand (88 percent) and Singapore (86 percent).
However, industry experts caution against overconfidence, noting that while progress is impressive, the sector cannot afford to become complacent.
According to the Travel and Tour World website, Vietnam is on the verge of a tourism revolution. Industry analysts project that by 2033, Vietnam’s travel market will reach a staggering US$135 billion, a fivefold increase from its $27.5 billion revenue in 2023.
Government policies, growing disposable incomes, and a heightened interest in cultural, adventure, and eco-tourism are fueling this extraordinary growth. Both domestic and international tourism are witnessing a record-breaking increase, with Vietnam becoming a preferred location for leisure, business, and sustainable travel.
The Vietnamese government is playing a pivotal role in fostering the expansion of the tourism industry. Key policy changes and strategic investments have propelled the country to the forefront of global travel.
Việtnam now ranks third in Southeast Asia for international arrivals, surpassing Singapore’s 16.5 million visitors, and trailing only Thailand (35 million) and Malaysia (24.5 million).
According to the Vietnam News, the economic challenges of 2024, marked by natural disasters, including widespread flooding, could have derailed Việtnam’s tourism resurgence. Yet, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) reported that the country achieved the highest tourism recovery rate in Southeast Asia.
The jump from 12.6 million international visitors in 2023 to 17.5 million in 2024 is nothing short of remarkable.
On the domestic front, Việtnam saw around 110 million travellers last year, contributing an estimated VNĐ840 trillion ($33.34 billion) to tourism revenue.
A survey by travel platform Agoda underscores Việtnam’s growing appeal.
Phú Quốc, in particular, emerged as a top destination for this year, with accommodation searches soaring by 266 percent compared to the previous year. Arrivals from South Korea surged by 94 percent, while those from Chinese Taipei skyrocketed by 123 percent.
“With our recent growth and international recognition, alongside internal advancements, we are confident in Việtnam’s tourism potential. This is a turning point, marking the dawn of a new era for our tourism industry,” Vietnam News Agency news agency reported Nguyễn Trùng Khánh, VNAT director general as saying.
The Government extended visa-free stays for citizens from 13 foreign countries to 45 days from 15 days, while e-visas were made available to all nationalities across 13 airports, 13 seaports and 16 land border crossings.
Furthermore, e-visa validity was extended to 90 days from 30 days, with the added flexibility of multiple entries.
Việtnam has diversified its tourism offerings with a focus on beach tourism, eco-tourism, cultural experiences, culinary tourism, and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism. A notable highlight in MICE tourism was the arrival of 4,500 Indian visitors for a major event in August 2024.
While Việtnam’s progress is commendable, experts stress the importance of staying competitive in an increasingly fierce global tourism market.
To achieve a similar ratio, Việtnam, with a population exceeding 100 million, would need to welcome around 50 million international visitors.
Director General Khánh emphasised that the next phase of Việtnam’s tourism strategy will prioritise sustainability, quality and brand positioning, highlighting the goal of offering high-end, unique and memorable experiences that will establish Việtnam as a leading global destination, rather than focusing solely on visitor numbers.
Efforts will also include innovative promotional campaigns and policy adjustments aimed at fostering long-term growth.
Việtnam’s commitment to excellence has already been recognised internationally.
While Việtnam’s progress is commendable, experts stress the importance of staying competitive in an increasingly fierce global tourism market.
Efforts will also include innovative promotional campaigns and policy adjustments aimed at fostering long-term growth.
Việtnam’s commitment to excellence has already been recognised internationally.
In 2024, Vietnam clinched several prestigious awards, including “World’s Leading Heritage Destination” for the fifth time and “Asia’s Best Golf Destination” for eight consecutive years.
Việtnam also earned titles such as “Asia’s Leading Destination” for the sixth time, “Asia’s Leading Heritage Destination” for the second time, and “Asia’s Leading Nature Destination” for the third time.
In a crowning achievement, Trà Quế Vegetable Village in Quảng Nam Province was honoured as the “Best Tourism Village 2024” at the UN Tourism event in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
According to the VnExpress newspaper, the return of Chinese visitors, easing of visa rules and increased tourism campaigns brought a record number of foreign visitors to Vietnam in January, travel industry insiders said.
There were nearly 2.1 million foreign tourists, a 36.9 percent increase from January 2024 and the highest monthly figure ever, according to the General Statistics Office.
The number of Chinese tourists, with over 575,000 arriving and surpassing South Koreans to climb to the top of the list, was the chief reason for the record figure.
Vietnam has a huge potential in attracting foreign tourists.
