Russia Overtakes Philippines and Over 28 More Countries in Skyrocketing Vietnam Tourism with Over 165 Percent Surge in Tourist Arrivals in Eight Months in 2026

Russia overtakes the Philippines and over 28 more countries in skyrocketing Vietnam tourism with over 165 percent surge in tourist arrivals in eight months in 2026, driven by strong travel demand, improved connectivity, growing international interest and Russia’s rapid visitor growth to become one of Vietnam’s fastest-expanding source markets.

Vietnam Tourism Surges Past Pre-Pandemic Levels as 15.9 Million Visitors Arrive

Vietnam welcomed 15,912,165 international visitors from January to August 2026, marking a strong 14.4% increase over the same period in 2025. The momentum follows a record 21,168,291 arrivals in full-year 2025, already above the 18,008,591 visitors recorded in 2019, the pre-pandemic benchmark. On a pro-rata comparison, January–August 2026 arrivals reached 132.5% of 2019 levels. China remained the largest source market with 3,567,661 visitors and a 22.4% share, while Russia emerged as the fastest-growing market, soaring 165.7% to 1,000,974 arrivals. The top 10 source markets collectively supplied 11,812,665 visitors, or 74.2% of the total, highlighting their huge importance to Vietnam’s tourism economy. Against this widespread growth, Spain recorded the steepest decline, falling 7.1% to 55,989 arrivals.

Russia Leads Vietnam’s Fastest-Growing Tourism Markets as India and Philippines Accelerate

Vietnam’s January–August 2026 inbound data reveal an unusually broad spread of growth across its international source markets. Russia recorded the strongest year-on-year increase at 165.7%, reaching 1,000,974 arrivals, followed by the Philippines at 58.8%, Poland at 51.2%, other European countries at 42.7%, and India at 41.9% with 629,075 visitors. Cambodia advanced 37.7%, while Singapore increased 31.7%, showing the strength of short-haul Asian demand. Growth also extended deep into long-haul markets, including Canada at 25.3%, Australia at 23.3% and the United States at 20.0%. Germany, France and the United Kingdom maintained positive European momentum, while Japan and Thailand continued expanding from established Asian bases. China posted only 1.0% growth, yet remained overwhelmingly important by volume, generating 3,567,661 visitors and a 22.4% share. Taiwan similarly recorded modest 2.6% growth but supplied a substantial 860,965 arrivals, demonstrating how Vietnam’s 2026 tourism expansion combines rapid growth from emerging and recovering markets with enormous volumes from established Asian sources.

Russia – 165.7% Surge Pushes Arrivals Beyond One Million

Russia delivered 1,000,974 visitors from January to August 2026, representing 6.3% of Vietnam’s international arrivals and an extraordinary 165.7% year-on-year increase. Restored and expanded air connectivity has helped reconnect Russian holidaymakers with Vietnam. Strong demand for warm-weather escapes, beach resorts and destinations such as Nha Trang, Mui Ne and Phu Quoc has added powerful momentum.

Philippines – 58.8% Growth Strengthens Vietnam’s ASEAN Boom

The Philippines generated 468,939 visitors, representing 2.9% of arrivals, after surging 58.8% year on year. Vietnam’s proximity to the Philippines and expanding regional air connectivity have made short-haul holidays increasingly convenient. Affordable accommodation, distinctive food, lively cities, cultural attractions and coastal destinations give Filipino travellers several compelling reasons to choose Vietnam for international trips.

Poland – 51.2% Jump Highlights Fast-Growing European Demand

Poland supplied 64,913 visitors, representing 0.4% of arrivals, while recording a remarkable 51.2% increase. Easier entry arrangements have supported Vietnam’s push into emerging European markets. Growing awareness of the country’s heritage, beaches, cuisine and competitive holiday costs has also helped transform Poland from a relatively small source into one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing European tourism markets.

Other European Countries – 42.7% Rise Broadens the Recovery

Other European countries collectively contributed 477,066 visitors, equivalent to 3.0% of arrivals, after expanding 42.7%. The sharp increase shows that Vietnam’s European growth stretches well beyond its largest established markets. Easier travel, improving aviation access, destination promotion and demand for long-haul cultural, nature and beach holidays are helping Vietnam reach a much broader European audience.

India – 41.9% Growth Creates a Powerful New Tourism Corridor

India generated 629,075 visitors, accounting for 4.0% of arrivals, with traffic climbing 41.9% year on year. Expanding direct air connectivity has transformed accessibility between the countries. Growing awareness of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Phu Quoc, alongside Vietnam’s affordability and appeal for families, couples and groups, has made India a major emerging tourism market.

Cambodia – 37.7% Rise Highlights the Strength of Cross-Border Tourism

Cambodia delivered 612,356 visitors, securing a 3.8% share, while arrivals increased 37.7%. A shared land border gives this market a major accessibility advantage. Road links, short flights and close commercial and cultural connections facilitate frequent leisure and business journeys, while Vietnam’s broad tourism offering encourages Cambodian travellers to make repeat trips across the border.

Singapore – 31.7% Surge Strengthens Short-Haul Premium Travel

Singapore contributed 309,728 visitors, or 1.9% of arrivals, following impressive 31.7% growth. Dense aviation connectivity makes Vietnam highly accessible from the city-state and supports spontaneous short breaks. Resorts, urban experiences, restaurants, golf, luxury accommodation and competitive prices provide Singaporean travellers with varied reasons to return, helping Vietnam capture both premium and mainstream regional tourism demand.

Switzerland – 27% Growth Adds Valuable European Demand

Switzerland generated 31,979 visitors, representing 0.2% of arrivals, but recorded a strong 27.0% increase. Easier travel arrangements and Vietnam’s expanding European visibility have supported the rise. Vietnam’s mountains, beaches, heritage and cultural experiences are particularly suited to extended long-haul itineraries, allowing the country to attract Swiss travellers looking for more comprehensive Southeast Asian holidays.

Indonesia – 26.7% Growth Adds Fresh ASEAN Momentum

Indonesia sent 175,077 visitors, accounting for 1.1% of arrivals, after growing 26.7%. Geographic proximity and strong regional aviation links make Vietnam increasingly accessible to Indonesian travellers. Short flight times, competitive costs, shopping, cuisine and distinctive cultural experiences are helping Vietnam capture travellers seeking convenient international holidays without the time and expense associated with long-haul journeys.

Canada – 25.3% Rise Strengthens Vietnam’s Long-Haul Reach

Canada generated 141,065 visitors, equivalent to 0.9% of arrivals, following a strong 25.3% increase. Vietnam’s relatively affordable accommodation, food, beaches, cultural attractions and extensive touring opportunities make it attractive for longer holidays. Growing destination awareness and better international connectivity are also helping Vietnam secure a larger share of Canadian travellers heading towards Asia.

African Markets – 25.1% Growth Opens an Emerging Tourism Frontier

Other African markets collectively delivered 44,782 visitors, representing 0.3% of arrivals, while expanding 25.1%. Although the absolute number remains comparatively small, the growth demonstrates Vietnam’s widening global reach. International aviation connections, commercial relationships and increasing destination recognition are gradually helping the country attract travellers beyond its traditional Asian, European, North American and Oceanian source markets.

Sweden – 25% Rise Strengthens Vietnam’s Nordic Connection

Sweden contributed 31,768 visitors, accounting for 0.2% of arrivals, after growing 25.0%. Easier entry and Vietnam’s expanding profile in Europe have supported demand. Tropical beaches, warmer weather, cultural touring and affordable longer stays give Swedish travellers a strong alternative to conventional winter destinations, while Vietnam’s geographic diversity makes extended multi-stop holidays particularly attractive.

New Zealand – 24% Growth Expands Vietnam’s Oceania Market

New Zealand supplied 46,235 visitors, representing 0.3% of arrivals, after increasing 24.0%. Stronger regional connectivity and growing interest in Southeast Asian holidays have supported the expansion. Vietnam combines beaches, heritage cities, dramatic landscapes and celebrated cuisine within a single journey, giving New Zealand travellers enough variety for both standalone holidays and broader Asian itineraries.

Australia – 23.3% Rise Delivers More Than 441,000 Visitors

Australia contributed 441,363 visitors, representing 2.8% of Vietnam’s international market, while recording 23.3% growth. Strong aviation links between major Australian and Vietnamese cities have made travel increasingly convenient. Vietnam’s affordability, beaches, cuisine, family resorts, backpacking routes and luxury accommodation allow the destination to compete across several segments of Australia’s large outbound tourism market.

Malaysia – 20.5% Growth Reinforces the ASEAN Travel Engine

Malaysia generated 414,553 visitors, accounting for 2.6% of arrivals, following 20.5% growth. Short-haul flights and close ASEAN connections give Malaysian travellers easy access to Vietnam. Shopping, city breaks, food, beaches and resorts create opportunities for repeat visits, while competitive travel costs make Vietnam an attractive alternative to more distant international holiday destinations.

United States – 20% Rise Delivers Nearly 690,000 Visitors

The United States contributed 687,368 visitors, representing 4.3% of arrivals, while traffic increased 20.0%. Growth from such a large long-haul market is significant for Vietnam. Family connections, commercial relationships, cultural tourism, Vietnamese cuisine and rising destination awareness all support demand, while expanding international aviation options make journeys across the Pacific increasingly accessible.

Denmark – 20% Growth Adds Another Nordic Success Story

Denmark supplied 35,188 visitors, accounting for 0.2% of arrivals, after growing 20.0%. Easier travel arrangements and Vietnam’s strong warm-weather proposition have supported demand. Tropical coastlines, cultural attractions and affordable extended stays appeal to Danish travellers, while Vietnam’s long north-to-south geography allows visitors to combine several dramatically different destinations during one holiday.

Norway – 18% Increase Keeps Nordic Demand Moving Higher

Norway generated 27,469 visitors, representing 0.2% of arrivals, following an 18.0% increase. Vietnam offers Norwegian travellers warm weather, an extensive coastline and strong value for longer holidays. Cultural attractions, mountain landscapes and tropical resorts add variety, while improving international connectivity and Vietnam’s stronger European promotion have helped smaller Nordic markets contribute to the country’s broader tourism expansion.

Netherlands – 17% Growth Deepens Western European Demand

The Netherlands contributed 73,962 visitors, representing 0.5% of arrivals, after rising 17.0%. Improving connectivity and stronger awareness of Vietnam as a complete touring destination are helping stimulate Dutch demand. Cycling, cuisine, heritage, mountains, waterways and beaches can all be combined within one itinerary, giving experience-focused travellers a particularly diverse long-haul holiday proposition.

Belgium – 16.7% Growth Widens Vietnam’s European Footprint

Belgium generated 28,083 visitors, equivalent to 0.2% of arrivals, with growth reaching 16.7%. Although Belgium remains a smaller source market, its expansion contributes to Vietnam’s increasingly diversified European recovery. Better international connectivity and stronger destination visibility are helping Vietnam attract Belgian travellers seeking cultural discovery, gastronomy, heritage, nature and extended long-haul experiences.

Other Asian Markets – 16.6% Rise Shows Broader Regional Demand

Other Asian markets collectively generated 98,625 arrivals, accounting for 0.6% of the total and growing 16.6%. Their performance demonstrates that Vietnam’s Asian tourism story extends beyond its largest established sources. Geographic accessibility, dense regional flight networks and rising demand for shorter international holidays are allowing smaller Asian markets to contribute meaningfully to Vietnam’s overall visitor expansion.

Germany – 15% Growth Strengthens a Major European Market

Germany contributed 218,023 visitors, representing 1.4% of arrivals, with traffic rising 15.0%. Easier entry, destination promotion and Vietnam’s extensive cultural and natural attractions have supported German demand. The country is particularly suitable for longer touring holidays, allowing visitors to combine Hanoi, mountain landscapes, heritage cities, the central coast and southern destinations within one journey.

France – 13.4% Rise Builds on Long-Standing Travel Connections

France supplied 256,993 visitors, securing 1.6% of arrivals after recording 13.4% growth. Long-standing cultural and historical connections give Vietnam strong recognition among French travellers. Hanoi’s architecture, UNESCO heritage, Vietnamese gastronomy, the Mekong Delta and coastal destinations provide a varied tourism proposition, while easier travel arrangements help encourage both first-time and repeat visits.

Japan – 11% Growth Keeps a Major Asian Market Expanding

Japan generated 599,051 visitors, representing 3.8% of international arrivals, while growing 11.0%. Strong commercial relationships, relatively short flight times and extensive aviation connections provide a solid foundation for travel. Vietnamese cuisine, cultural attractions, resorts and business links further diversify demand, allowing Japan to remain an important high-volume market rather than relying solely on seasonal leisure traffic.

United Kingdom – 9.8% Rise Supports European Expansion

The United Kingdom delivered 278,284 visitors, representing 1.7% of arrivals, with traffic growing 9.8%. Vietnam’s relatively easy entry environment, affordable accommodation, street food, beaches and wide range of backpacking-to-luxury experiences support British demand. Travellers can also combine major cities, heritage attractions, countryside and coastal resorts within a single long-haul holiday.

Thailand – 9% Growth Keeps Regional Tourism Flowing

Thailand generated 323,049 visitors, accounting for 2.0% of arrivals, after increasing 9.0%. Frequent short-haul flights and strong economic and regional connections make travel between the countries convenient. Vietnam’s distinctive food, cities, landscapes and coastal experiences provide enough contrast to encourage Thai travellers to visit despite already having a major tourism industry and tropical destinations at home.

Italy – 3.1% Rise Keeps Southern European Demand Positive

Italy contributed 75,302 visitors, representing 0.5% of arrivals, with growth of 3.1%. The increase is modest compared with Vietnam’s fastest-growing European markets, but the trajectory remains positive. Heritage, architecture, food, UNESCO destinations and beach extensions provide natural selling points for Italian travellers, while improving accessibility strengthens Vietnam’s competitiveness against other Southeast Asian destinations.

Taiwan – 2.6% Growth Builds on an Already Huge Visitor Base

Taiwan supplied 860,965 visitors, representing a substantial 5.4% share, while increasing 2.6%. The percentage rise is modest, but it comes from an already large base. Short flight times, extensive aviation connectivity, commercial links and demand for food, cities, beaches and resorts help sustain high-volume travel, making Taiwan one of Vietnam’s most important regional tourism markets.

China – 1% Growth Still Delivers a Massive 3.57 Million Visitors

China remained the largest source market in this dataset from January to August 2026, contributing 3,567,661 visitors, or 22.4% of international arrivals, despite growth of only 1.0%. Geographic proximity, extensive air and land connections, established tourism flows and strong destination familiarity sustain enormous volumes, meaning even marginal percentage growth can translate into significant additional visitor numbers.

Vietnam’s Tourism Growth Is Becoming Increasingly Diversified

The January–August 2026 figures reveal a tourism expansion powered by very different markets. Russia represents the dramatic rebound story, while the Philippines, Poland, India and Cambodia are recording exceptionally rapid growth. Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand reinforce the importance of regional travel, while Europe, North America and Oceania are adding valuable long-haul demand.

Most importantly, the numbers indicate that Vietnam’s international tourism momentum is spreading beyond its traditional heavyweight markets. China remains enormous with more than 3.56 million visitors, while Russia has crossed one million and India has exceeded 629,000. This combination of high-volume established markets and rapidly expanding emerging sources is creating a broader foundation for Vietnam’s tourism industry through 2026.

Russia overtakes the Philippines and over 28 more countries in skyrocketing Vietnam tourism with over 165 percent surge in tourist arrivals in eight months in 2026, supported by stronger connectivity, rising holiday demand and rapid growth from international source markets.

In conclusion, Russia overtakes the Philippines and over 28 more countries in skyrocketing Vietnam tourism with over 165 percent surge in tourist arrivals in eight months in 2026, driven by expanding air connectivity, strong demand for Vietnam’s beaches, resorts and cultural experiences, and a wider recovery across global source markets. While China remains the largest contributor by visitor volume, Russia’s exceptional growth highlights Vietnam’s ability to attract rapidly expanding markets and strengthen its international tourism momentum.