HCM City (VNA) - Vietnam has emerged as Southeast Asia's fastest-recovering tourism destination after the pandemic, largely thanks to its welcoming visa policies.
According to updated data from the ASEAN Secretariat, Vietnam welcomed 17.6 million international visitors last year, achieving a recovery rate of 98% compared to 2019 (the period preceding the COVID-19 pandemic).
The figure has surpassed those of other renowned tourist destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Other nations in the region have lower recovery rates, with Thailand at 88%, Singapore at 86%, and the Philippines at 72%.
In terms of total international arrivals in 2024, Vietnam is projected to surpass Singapore (16.5 million visitors), ranking third among Southeast Asian countries in terms of international visitor numbers for that year.
Thailand and Malaysia occupy the first and second positions, with 35 million and 24.5 million visitors, respectively.
Vietnam's number of international visitors exceeds that of Indonesia (14 million) and the Philippines (6 million).
Statistics from hotel booking site Agoda indicate that Vietnam and Malaysia are the top destinations in the region for travelers booking sustainable and environmentally conscious tours.
Among the ten most attractive cities for this type of tourism, three Vietnamese cities – Da Nang, Nha Trang, and HCM City - are included.
Demand for accommodations from international guests has surged by 139% compared to the same period last year, with a particularly notable increase of nearly 300% in visitors from China.
Phu Quoc Island, off Kien Giang province in southern Vietnam, is set to become the premier destination for international tourists in 2025, with accommodation searches increasing by 266% compared to 2024.
Data from this platform also highlight significant growth in tourist arrivals from other key markets, such as the Republic of Korea (up 94%) and Taiwan (up 123%).
Vietnam officially reopened its borders to international tourists on March 15, 2022.
Since then, the tourism sector has recovered significantly, rising from 3.7 million visitors in 2022 to 12.6 million in 2023, with projections to reach 17.6 million in 2024, nearly matching the 18 million visitors recorded during the peak year of 2019.
Vietnam has set an ambitious goal this year to attract between 22 and 23 million international visitors, reflecting its commitment to positioning tourism as a critical economic sector.
Currently, Vietnam grants visa waivers to travelers from 25 countries.
Starting in August 2023, it began issuing three-month tourist visas to citizens of all nations and extended the stay duration to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries exempt from visa requirements.
Last year, it launched a new web portal that simplifies the e-visa application process, making it easier and more convenient for foreign travelers./.
