Vietnam Smashes All Tourism Records As Over Six Million Jet-Setters Arrive Amid A Relentless Wave Of Momentum, Strategy, And Unstoppable Growth

Published on April 7, 2025

Vietnam welcomes over six million international tourists in Q1 2025, marking a record-breaking surge fueled by bold reforms, rising demand, and strong revenues.

Vietnam’s Tourism Boom Reaches Historic High in Early 2025 with Record-Breaking International Arrivals and Soaring Revenue

Vietnam’s tourism industry has kicked off 2025 with remarkable momentum, welcoming over 6.018 million international visitors in the first quarter—a historic high that marks the strongest quarterly performance on record. According to the Q1 socio-economic report released by the General Statistics Office, this figure represents a striking 29.6% surge compared to the same period last year.

March alone saw an influx of more than 2.05 million foreign travelers, reflecting a robust 28.5% year-on-year rise. This consistent upward trend underscores Vietnam’s resurgence as a top global destination following the challenges of the pandemic era.

A combination of favorable visa reforms, aggressive tourism marketing campaigns, and growing recognition from prestigious international tourism awards has significantly fueled this recovery. The result is not only increased footfall but also an expanding global footprint for Vietnam on the world travel stage.

Asia Leads the Charge in Tourist Arrivals

The majority of international arrivals hailed from Asia, which contributed 4.71 million visitors—more than 78% of the total. Strong performances came from key markets like South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan, all benefiting from resumed and expanded direct flights and relaxed entry policies. These enhancements have made Vietnam more accessible and attractive than ever to its regional neighbors.

Meanwhile, Europe accounted for 791,900 tourists, with the Americas contributing 341,500 visitors. The Oceania region, including Australia and the Pacific, saw 160,100 arrivals, while 12,300 tourists journeyed from Africa.

One standout highlight is the dramatic comeback of Russian tourism, which soared by an astonishing 210%. Popular destinations such as Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, and Phu Quoc Island—known for their pleasant climates and high-quality tourism infrastructure—have seen particularly high interest from Russian travelers.

Additionally, Vietnam has witnessed explosive growth from other key regional markets. Visitor numbers from Cambodia rose 205%, the Philippines saw a 195% increase, and Chinese arrivals surged by 178%, signaling a broader regional revival in outbound tourism toward Vietnam.

Air Travel Dominates While Revenue Reaches New Heights

Air transport remains the preferred mode of entry, accounting for 5.2 million visitors, which makes up 86.4% of all international arrivals and marks a 34% year-on-year increase. Land border entries totaled 685,500, up 9.6%, while sea arrivals reached 133,000, experiencing a modest decline of 2.7%.

In terms of economic performance, Vietnam’s travel and tourism industry generated VND21.5 trillion (approximately US$833.1 million) in revenue during the first quarter—an 18.3% rise compared to Q1 2024. Key destinations driving this growth include the capital Hanoi, with a 23.5% increase, the coastal city of Da Nang (up 22.1%), and Quang Ninh province (up 20.9%), home to the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay.

The accommodation and food service sector also saw vigorous growth, generating VND200.1 trillion (about US$7.7 billion), a 14% increase from the same period last year. Quang Ninh again led the surge with a 20.1% rise, followed by Da Nang at 16.7%, and Hanoi at 14.9%.

Vietnam Sets Sights on Tourism Supremacy

With international visitor numbers and tourism revenue hitting record highs in the first quarter, Vietnam is clearly cementing its reputation as one of the world’s fastest-growing travel hotspots. The strong start to 2025 positions the country well to achieve its ambitious full-year goal of attracting between 22 to 23 million foreign tourists.

Backed by strategic policy decisions, infrastructure upgrades, and targeted global marketing, Vietnam’s tourism sector is not just recovering—it’s accelerating toward a future of sustained growth and international acclaim.