Vietnam welcomed 1.46 million international tourists in June, a 4% decrease compared to the previous month but a 17% increase compared to June 2024. In the first half of 2025, 10.7 million international tourists visited Vietnam, a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 26% increase compared to 2019, a peak year for Vietnamese tourism.

Air travel remains the dominant mode of entry, accounting for nearly 9.1 million arrivals. Nearly 1.4 million tourists arrived by land, with the remainder arriving by sea.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) aims to welcome 22 to 23 million tourists in 2025. The first six months represent nearly 49% of this target. However, according to travel company CEOs, Vietnam can still reach 22 million arrivals due to the peak travel season from October to December, when tourists flock to avoid crowds.

Tourists enjoy a boat tour in Nha Trang Bay during the summer. Photo: Bui Toan

Tourists enjoy a boat tour in Nha Trang Bay during the summer. Photo: Bui Toan

Northeast Asia remains the largest source market for Vietnam, accounting for 60% of total arrivals. Mainland China continues to be the top source market with over 2.7 million visitors, followed by South Korea with over 2.2 million. Other key markets include Japan, Taiwan, the US, and India.

Nearly 1.4 million Vietnamese traveled abroad in the second quarter of 2025, a 2.3% decrease compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2025, over 4 million Vietnamese traveled abroad, a 54% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) reports that increased foreign trade, transportation, and tourism are meeting regional and global consumer demand, contributing positively to economic growth. The added value of the service sector in the first half of 2025 increased by 8.14% compared to the same period last year, the highest increase for the same period between 2011 and 2025.

According to the May edition of the UN World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) World Tourism Barometer, Vietnam ranked sixth globally in international tourist growth in the first quarter of 2025, with a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Within the Asia-Pacific region, Vietnam ranked first, followed by Japan and Palau.

Vietnam also ranked second in international tourism recovery (a 34% increase compared to 2019) and fourth in total tourism revenue growth, with a 29% increase compared to 2024.

Phuong Anh