Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam recorded a 21.5% year-on-year increase in international visitor arrivals to 15.4 million in the first nine months of the year, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance.
The tourism and hospitality sectors continued their stellar performance, with accommodation and food service revenues estimated at 624.4 trillion VND (23.68 billion USD) during the nine-month span, up 14.8% from 2024. Da Nang led the charge with an impressive 18.1% growth rate, followed by Ho Chi Minh City at 18%, Can Tho at 14.2%, Hai Phong at 12%, and Hanoi at 11.9%.
Travel agencies’ revenue also rose sharply, estimated at 69.6 trillion VND, a 20.5% increase, thanks to stimulus campaigns, new tourism products, favourable visa policies and extensive promotional programmes.
Air travel dominated as the preferred mode of entry, accounting for 85.2% of all arrivals with 13.1 million visitors, a 21.9% increase year-on-year. Land border crossings brought in 2.1 million travelers, up 19.4%, while sea arrivals totalled 190,600, reflecting a 15.1% rise.
By continents, Asia continued to be the largest source market of Vietnam, with 12.24 million tourists, followed by Europe with 1.9 million, Americas nearly 800,000, Australia 445,000, and Africa 40,700.
Top five source markets were China, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China), the US, and Japan. Impressive growth were seen in Russia (273%), the Philippines (192.2%), Cambodia (150.4%), Poland (146%), and India (142%).
According to Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Pham Van Thuy, as Vietnam eyes 25 million international visitors this year, it must offer products that align with the diverse interests of global travelers, from cuisine and natural landscapes to beaches and climate.
As the peak international tourism season runs from October through April, the VNAT has carried out various promotional programmes in collaboration with local authorities, businesses and Vietnam’s embassies in key markets. Alongside these campaigns, the country has paid due attention to building its image as a safe and secure destination, offering experiences that resonate with international travelers./.
