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Positive signs since the beginning of 2025 indicate a strong recovery and an increasing position of Vietnamese tourism on the international map. According to the latest data from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the first four months of the year witnessed a notable change in the structure of the international tourist market. China has risen to become the largest source market for tourists to Vietnam with 1.95 million visitors, accounting for 25.4% of the total number of tourists.
South Korea continues to be an important market, ranking second with 1.58 million visitors, equivalent to 20.6%. According to statistics for the first quarter of 2025, South Korea is also a market with stable growth momentum, with a 2.2% increase compared to the same period last year, contributing significantly to the total number of international visitors to Vietnam.
The number of international visitors to Vietnam in April reached 1.65 million.
Other markets also recorded impressive numbers, with Taiwan in third place (440,000 visits) and the US in fourth place (323,000 visits).
This growth is no accident. The National Tourism Administration emphasizes that a relaxed visa policy and favorable tourism conditions have helped Vietnam become a bright spot, attracting tourists from all over the world. Data from Google Destination Insights also reinforces this assessment, ranking Vietnam 7th globally in terms of growth in international travel searches since the beginning of the year, with increases ranging from 10% to 25%.
From the beginning of the year until now, the total number of international visitors to Vietnam has reached 7.67 million - an increase of 23.8% compared to the same period last year.
Mr. Pham Anh Vu, Deputy General Director of a tourism company, shared that his company has recorded a remarkable 30% increase in the number of Chinese tourists compared to the same period in 2024. Coastal destinations with high-end resorts such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc are particularly popular, alongside tours exploring culture and history in Hanoi and Hue.
The top 10 most searched-for cities in Vietnam by international tourists include: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Vung Tau, Da Lat, Phan Thiet, and Hue.
Several factors have contributed to Vietnam's attractiveness to Chinese tourists. Reasonable living costs and tourism services, stunning beaches, a rich culture, and distinctive cuisine are key elements. Furthermore, its favorable geographical location, especially in border tourism areas, makes it easy for Chinese tourists to travel to Vietnam by air, sea, and land. AZA Travel CEO, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat, also points out the advantage of proximity compared to other Southeast Asian countries, making Vietnam a preferred choice after the pandemic as tourists tighten their spending and seek affordable, nearby beach destinations.
This is the result of the efforts of many effectively implemented tourism policies.
Phu Quoc Island is a clear example of the strong recovery of Vietnamese tourism. According to the Kien Giang Provincial Department of Tourism, in the first quarter of 2025, Phu Quoc is estimated to have welcomed over 2 million tourists, an impressive increase of 66.5% compared to the same period, with total tourism revenue reaching over 10.5 billion VND. With these positive signs, Phu Quoc has every reason to expect to reach and surpass the target of welcoming 7 million tourists in 2025.
