South Korea Follows Russia And More In Powering Vietnam Tourism With Over 17 Million Arrivals As Hospitality Gains Traction

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Tourism in Vietnam surpasses 17 million in 2026 thanks to the Russian, Korean and other markets driving hospitality and job creation. There will be tremendous growth opportunities in tourism in Vietnam because there will be growing demand for travel coming from Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam recorded almost 17.7 million tourists, which was 14.5 percent higher than the number of tourists in the previous year. This achievement will set Vietnam well on track towards achieving its target of 25 million tourist arrivals for the year.

The story is no longer being shaped by one or two markets. China and South Korea still provide enormous visitor volumes, but Russia has emerged as the standout growth engine. India, the Philippines, Cambodia, the United States, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and several European nations are also helping Vietnam widen its tourism base. This diversification is strengthening the hospitality economy and supporting demand for accommodation, transport, food services, attractions and tourism jobs.

Vietnam Moves Beyond Recovery Into Expansion

International arrivals reached about 17.68 million between January and September 2026, while September alone brought around 1.77 million visitors. Air travel dominated with roughly 14.7 million arrivals, while land crossings contributed about 2.7 million and sea arrivals more than 243,000.

The expansion is feeding into the service economy. Accommodation and food-service revenue rose about 16.7% year on year during the first nine months, while travel and tourism service revenue increased around 17.9%. The service sector employed about 21.6 million people, up roughly 384,100 compared with the same period of 2025. That increase covers the wider service economy rather than tourism alone, but rising travel activity shows why tourism is becoming an important employment driver.

A New Tourism Map Is Emerging

China Keeps Vietnam’s Tourism Machine Moving

China remained Vietnam’s biggest tourism market with nearly 3.95 million visitors in the first nine months of 2026. Growth was modest at about 1.5%, yet its scale remains unmatched. Chinese travellers continue to support demand in Hanoi, Ha Long, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City.

China’s strength lies in scale, sustaining airlines, hotels, restaurants, retailers and tour companies.

South Korea Remains A Critical Tourism Powerhouse

South Korea supplied around 3.06 million visitors, making it Vietnam’s second-largest source market. Arrivals slipped 5.5% year on year, but Korean travellers still represented more than 17% of international arrivals.

South Korean visitors remain especially important to beach and resort destinations. Their presence supports hotels, golf tourism, restaurants, aviation and leisure services. The market’s size means Vietnam continues to depend on Korean demand even as faster-growing countries take a larger share of new growth.

Russia Delivers The Breakout Tourism Surge

Russia became one of Vietnam’s biggest tourism stories in 2026. Visitor numbers climbed to around 1.13 million, soaring 160.6% year on year.

That rise pushed Russia into the position of Vietnam’s third-largest source market and its biggest European market. Russian travellers are particularly valuable to coastal destinations because of their appetite for beach holidays, resort stays and longer winter escapes. Nha Trang, Cam Ranh and Phu Quoc stand to benefit as airlines and tour operators rebuild capacity.

Taiwan Provides Stable High-Volume Demand

Taiwan contributed around 964,000 visitors, up about 4.1%. While growth was not explosive, the market remains one of Vietnam’s dependable Northeast Asian sources.

Taiwanese travellers sustain city breaks, food tourism, cultural itineraries and resort stays.

United States Strengthens Long-Haul Tourism

The United States generated about 746,000 visitors, rising nearly 19.9%. It remains Vietnam’s largest source market from the Americas.

US travellers are important because long-haul visitors often stay longer, combine multiple destinations and spend across accommodation, food, transport and experiences. Their growth supports Vietnam’s ambition to attract higher-value tourists.

Cambodia Powers Regional And Land-Border Growth

Cambodia sent around 688,000 visitors, representing a 40.5% increase. Its growth is especially important because Vietnam’s land arrivals rose nearly 30% in the first nine months.

Cambodian demand strengthens cross-border tourism, regional circuits and short-break travel while supporting businesses in border provinces and transport corridors.

Japan Maintains A Valuable Traditional Market

Japan contributed around 674,000 visitors, up 9.2%. It remains one of Vietnam’s most established tourism partners.

Japanese travellers support cultural tourism, food experiences, heritage visits, city hotels and premium services.

India Becomes A High-Potential Growth Engine

India delivered around 671,000 visitors, rising 33%. That makes it one of Vietnam’s most dynamic emerging markets.

Vietnam is increasingly attractive to Indian families, leisure travellers, wedding groups and MICE visitors. Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang are positioned to benefit. Indian demand is also encouraging hotels and restaurants to adapt food, wedding and group services.

Philippines Adds Fresh ASEAN Momentum

The Philippines contributed about 523,000 visitors, jumping 55.2%. It was one of the fastest-growing major ASEAN markets.

The rise highlights the growing power of short-haul Southeast Asian travel. Regional connectivity, competitive fares and Vietnam’s mix of city, beach, food and cultural experiences are helping attract more Filipino travellers.

Australia Expands Vietnam’s Long-Haul Base

Australia generated about 485,000 visitors, up 21%. New Zealand also performed well, with arrivals rising about 22.1%.

These markets strengthen long-haul demand for coastal resorts, city stays, food tourism and multi-stop itineraries.

Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia And Thailand Add Regional Strength

Singapore arrivals rose around 29.8%, Indonesia increased about 25.5%, Malaysia grew roughly 18.1%, and Thailand advanced about 10.1%.

Together, these markets reinforce Vietnam’s position inside the ASEAN travel network. They support weekend breaks, business travel, shopping, dining and short leisure trips. Regional visitors can also travel frequently and help fill hotels outside traditional peak seasons.

Canada And Europe Bring Valuable Diversification

Canada recorded roughly 150,000 arrivals, up 23.9%, while several European markets produced strong gains.

Poland rose 49%, Switzerland 25.7%, Sweden 23.6%, Belgium 19.5%, Norway 18.8%, Denmark 17%, the Netherlands 16.5%, Germany 16.1%, France 13.6% and the United Kingdom 9.7%.

Europe as a whole expanded about 55%, making it Vietnam’s fastest-growing major region. European visitors are strategically important because they often take longer holidays and higher-value itineraries. Visa-free access for many European markets is also helping Vietnam compete for extended stays.

Hospitality Gains Traction As Tourism Spending Spreads

Vietnam’s tourism surge is translating into stronger demand across hotels, resorts, restaurants and travel services. Accommodation and food-service businesses are benefiting from rising visitor numbers in Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Hue, Lam Dong, Ninh Binh, Hai Phong, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The expansion creates opportunities in housekeeping, food and beverage, front-office operations, guiding, transport, events, technology, wellness, golf tourism and destination management.

Vietnam’s 2026 strategy goes beyond conventional sightseeing. Authorities are promoting MICE tourism, wellness, golf, luxury travel, cultural tourism, community-based tourism, adventure products and digital services. That shift can generate more specialised and higher-value jobs.

Easier Visas And Better Connectivity Support The Boom

Vietnam is reinforcing tourism growth through wider visa exemptions, easier entry, stronger international promotion and improved aviation links.

The country has extended 45-day visa-free access to a broad group of European and Asian markets, while tourism authorities continue promoting Vietnam in India, Russia, China, South Korea, Europe, North America, Australia and the Gulf.

Airlines are also supporting international promotion and route development, giving Vietnam more opportunities to convert global interest into bookings.

Vietnam’s Tourism Ambition Is Getting Bigger

Vietnam is targeting 25 million international visitors in 2026 and 150 million domestic trips. Longer-term goals are even more ambitious, with plans to reach 45 to 50 million international visitors by 2030, generate US$80 billion to US$90 billion in tourism revenue, and support around 2.3 million direct tourism jobs plus 3.5 million indirect jobs.

The first nine months of 2026 show that the foundation is forming. China and South Korea remain the scale leaders. Russia is delivering the dramatic breakout. India, the Philippines, Cambodia, the United States, Australia and ASEAN markets are expanding rapidly. Europe is providing valuable long-haul growth.

Vietnam Tourism Breaks 17 Million Visitors Due to Russia, South Korea and Others

This combination is making Vietnam something bigger than just a recovery in its tourism industry. It is helping the country develop a more comprehensive hospitality economy that is based on diverse demand, connectivity, spending, service and job creation. Vietnam’s tourism industry has become so strong that the country is now recording more than 17 million visitors.