Vietnam Rises As Asia’s Repeat Travel Champion With More Travellers Returning For New Experiences

Written By: Shraddha Das

Shraddha Das

I am a passionate travel writer at Travel and Tour World (TTW) with two years of experience covering the ever-evolving world of travel, tourism, aviation, and hospitality. She enjoys turning complex industry updates into engaging stories that inspire and inform readers around the globe. With a keen eye for detail and a love for discovering what makes every destination unique, Shraddha is committed to delivering accurate, insightful, and reader-friendly content that connects people with the world of travel.

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September 10, 2026 06:14 GMT+5:30

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Vietnam is rising as Asia’s repeat travel champion as more international travellers choose to return for new experiences, driven by easier visa access, improved infrastructure, diverse destinations and affordable holiday options. The country ranked among the top destinations in East and Southeast Asia for repeat foreign visitors in the first half of the year, with destinations such as Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc attracting growing numbers of returning guests. Strong connectivity, cultural attractions, coastal escapes and expanding tourism services are helping Vietnam build traveller loyalty and strengthen its ambition to become one of Southeast Asia’s leading tourism destinations by 2030.

Vietnam is strengthening its position as one of Asia’s most attractive travel destinations as more international visitors return for second and multiple trips, with the country ranking among the top destinations in East and Southeast Asia for repeat foreign travellers during the first half of this year. The growing number of returning visitors highlights Vietnam’s rising appeal, supported by easier travel access, improved infrastructure, diverse experiences and competitive costs that continue to attract travellers from around the world.

According to Agoda’s regional travel insights, Vietnam recorded the third-highest level of repeat international visitors in East and Southeast Asia, following Japan and Thailand. Malaysia and Indonesia followed Vietnam in the ranking, showing strong competition among regional tourism markets seeking to attract loyal international travellers.

The increase in repeat visits reflects a shift in Vietnam’s tourism growth story. The country is no longer attracting visitors only for first-time exploration but is increasingly becoming a destination where travellers choose to return to discover new cities, beaches, cultural attractions and local experiences.

Vietnam’s Leading Destinations Become Repeat Traveller Favourites

Several Vietnamese destinations are emerging as powerful magnets for returning international visitors. Agoda’s data identified Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Hanoi and Phu Quoc as the country’s five destinations with the highest repeat visitor rates during the first half of the year.

Da Nang has become one of Vietnam’s strongest tourism performers, attracting travellers with its combination of beaches, modern facilities, cultural connections and convenient access to nearby attractions. The city’s close link with Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has further strengthened its appeal by allowing visitors to experience both coastal relaxation and historic charm in one journey.

The city’s transportation network, entertainment options and growing accommodation sector have also helped encourage travellers to return. From beach holidays and wellness stays to cultural tours and family experiences, Da Nang offers a wide range of activities that appeal to different international visitor groups.

Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have also improved their positions as repeat travel destinations. Ho Chi Minh City, known for its modern urban lifestyle, food culture and business connections, climbed higher compared with the previous year. Hanoi also recorded stronger repeat demand, moving up two positions as more travellers returned to experience its historic streets, traditional culture and expanding tourism services.

Easier Travel Rules And Better Infrastructure Boost Vietnam Tourism

Vietnam’s growing repeat visitor numbers are closely connected to improvements across the tourism sector. Industry experts have pointed to relaxed visa policies, upgraded infrastructure and affordable travel experiences as key factors supporting the country’s continued popularity.

The expansion of international flight connections, improvements in roads and transport networks, and the development of new tourism facilities have made it easier for visitors to explore multiple destinations during one trip.

Vietnam has also benefited from offering strong value for money compared with several other Asian destinations. Competitive accommodation prices, affordable dining options and a wide variety of experiences have helped attract travellers looking for quality holidays at reasonable costs.

The country’s tourism strategy is increasingly focused on encouraging longer stays and repeat visits rather than depending only on first-time arrivals. By developing coastal destinations, cultural attractions, nature tourism and urban experiences, Vietnam aims to create more reasons for visitors to return.

Vietnam Sets Ambitious Goal To Become Southeast Asia Tourism Leader

Vietnam has set a major tourism ambition for the coming years, targeting 45 million to 50 million international visitors annually by 2030. The goal reflects the government’s plan to position the country as one of Southeast Asia’s leading tourism destinations in terms of both visitor numbers and long-term growth.

The latest performance figures show strong recovery momentum. Vietnam welcomed 12.2 million international visitors during the first seven months of this year, marking a 23 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

Despite this growth, Vietnam remains behind Thailand in overall international arrival numbers. Thailand welcomed 19.2 million foreign visitors during the same period, maintaining its position as one of the region’s biggest tourism markets.

However, Vietnam’s increasing share of repeat visitors demonstrates its ability to build long-term traveller loyalty. Returning tourists often contribute more value to destinations because they tend to explore beyond major attractions, visit different regions and spend more time experiencing local culture.

Vietnam is gaining stronger global travel momentum as more international travellers return to explore its cities, beaches and cultural treasures, supported by easier access, better infrastructure and affordable experiences.

Repeat Travellers Could Become Vietnam’s Next Tourism Growth Engine

The rise of repeat international visitors represents an important opportunity for Vietnam’s tourism industry. As competition across Asia becomes stronger, destinations that can attract travellers back multiple times gain a major advantage.

Vietnam’s combination of natural landscapes, historic cities, affordable experiences and improved connectivity is helping transform the country from an emerging destination into a major regional tourism force.

With continued investment, easier travel access and stronger destination development, Vietnam is preparing for a new phase of tourism growth where returning travellers play a central role in achieving its long-term goal of becoming one of Asia’s most successful travel destinations.