Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam welcomed nearly 1.9 million international visitors in February, with over 468,000 from the Republic of Korea (RoK) and nearly 380,000 from China, together accounting for more than 44% of the total.
According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), domestic tourism also thrived, with an estimated 11 million visitors in the month, including 3.8 million overnight stays.
In the first two months of this year, the country welcomed 26.5 million tourists, generating approximately 160 trillion VND (6.28 billion USD). Nearly 3.96 million were international arrivals, reflecting a 30.2% increase year-on-year. Over 85.6% travelled to Vietnam by air, while the rest arrived by sea or land.
China led international source markets with 955,695 arrivals, followed closely by the RoK with 885,142. Together, these two markets contributed over 1.84 million visitors, making up nearly 60% of total Asian arrivals.
Beyond China and the RoK, other major tourist sources included Taiwan (China), the US, Japan, Cambodia, Australia, Malaysia, and India. Notably, Russia returned to the top 10 markets with over 79,000 visitors.
European markets also showed strong growth, particularly those benefiting from Vietnam’s visa waiver programme, such as the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Poland and Switzerland saw remarkable growth of 54.2% and 14.2%, respectively, following the government’s visa exemption policy for short-term stays from March to December 2025.
To further promote tourism, the VNAT launched a promotional video titled “Vietnam: Go to Love!” in early March. The four-minute clip, featuring stunning visuals and sound effects, aims to inspire international visitors and showcase Vietnam’s cultural and natural beauty. This campaign is expected to help Vietnam achieve its target of 22–23 million international visitors in 2025.
Additionally, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has rolled out a tourism stimulus programme offering discounts and enhanced experiences for travellers. Many localities have also introduced fee exemptions and discounts at historical sites and tourist attractions.
To meet the growing demand for sustainable travel, localities are focusing on eco-friendly tourism, aiming to attract environmentally conscious European visitors and boost customer satisfaction through unique, high-quality services./.
