Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam recorded more than 6 million international tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 29.6% increase year-on-year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
This is the highest-ever number so far and represents a 134% surge from the figure in Q1 of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
In March alone, the country welcomed over 2 million foreign visitors, up 28.5% compared to the same period last year.
China topped the list of source markets with 1.58 million visitors, soaring 78.3% year-on-year, followed by the Republic of Korea with 1.26 million visitors (up 2.2%). Together, these two markets accounted for 47% of the total number of international arrivals.
Other key markets included Taiwan (China), the US, Japan, Australia and India, all of which posted growth rates between 10% and 26%.
Southeast Asian markets such as Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, and Thailand also saw strong growth of 105.6%, 95.1%, 52.7%, 6.9% and 4.7%, respectively, due to geographic proximity.
The number of tourist arrivals from Europe also rose steadily, especially those from countries enjoying visa exemptions such as the UK (23,5%), France (28,3%), Germany (23,3%), Italy (29,0%), Spain (17,5%), Denmark (17,6%), Sweden (18,7%), and Norway (16,0%).
Russia saw a sharp rise of 110.5% in arrivals, while Poland and Switzerland also grew strongly, at 52,9% and 14,1%, supported by Vietnam’s new visa waiver policy under its 2025 tourism stimulus programme.
The tourism authority said visa waivers, marketing efforts, and upgraded promotional strategies are expected to support Vietnam’s goal of attracting 22–23 million international visitors in 2025./.
