Over 4 million Vietnamese tourists traveled abroad in the first 6 months of 2025, according to data released by the General Statistics Office on 5/7. Thailand welcomed over 370,000 Vietnamese visitors, 1.5 times the number of Thai tourists visiting Vietnam. However, this figure represents a 26% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.

Nguyen Huu Cuong, general director of Trang An Travel, attributed this decrease to market saturation. Many Vietnamese tourists have already visited Thailand in previous years, leading them to explore new destinations. Additionally, factors such as natural disasters and political instability in Thailand during the first half of the year led to cancellations and hesitations among potential visitors.

A group of Vietnamese tourists taking photos in Bangkok, Thailand this summer. Photo: Trang An Travel

A group of Vietnamese tourists taking photos in Bangkok, Thailand this summer. Photo: Trang An Travel

Thailand also faces intense competition from China. Around 20 tours catering to Vietnamese tourists are available, ranging from overland trips to flights, with prices starting from 3.9 million VND for a 3-day, 2-night itinerary. China's competitive pricing, diverse tour packages, and aggressive tourism promotion in Vietnam have contributed to its appeal among Vietnamese travelers.

Despite these challenges, Thailand remains a popular choice for first-time international Vietnamese travelers due to its simple entry procedures, proximity, numerous flight options, similar cuisine, and affordable prices. While tour prices to Thailand have increased by 10% to 15% this year, they remain relatively low, starting from 7 to 8 million VND.

"It's not surprising that the number of Vietnamese tourists visiting Thailand is still high, exceeding the number of Thai visitors to Vietnam by 50%," Cuong said.

Besides Thailand, other destinations like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have also seen an increase in Vietnamese tourists. According to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) in Vietnam, over 311,000 Vietnamese tourists visited Japan in the first 5 months of the year, a nearly 10% increase compared to the same period last year.

South Korea welcomed over 269,000 Vietnamese visitors in the first half of the year, a nearly 10% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Taiwan saw 114,000 Vietnamese arrivals in the first 4 months of this year, a slight increase from the 113,000 arrivals during the same period last year.

Singapore hosted nearly 130,000 Vietnamese tourists in the first 5 months of the year, comparable to the nearly 138,000 Singaporean tourists who visited Vietnam. Malaysia recorded 107,000 Vietnamese arrivals in the first 4 months, a slight decrease from the 114,000 arrivals in the same period last year.

Official data on Vietnamese tourist arrivals to China and other Asian destinations is not yet available.

Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Bangkok Air

Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Bangkok Air

Cuong from Trang An Travel noted that tours to South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan are typically two to five times more expensive than tours to Thailand or China. A 5-day, 4-night tour to South Korea in July starts from 16 million VND, while a tour to Japan starts from 29.5 million VND. Despite the higher costs and visa requirements, Northeast Asia remains attractive to Vietnamese tourists due to its rich culture, diverse cuisine, and direct flight options.

Phuong Anh