Vietnam’s Tourism Boom: Nearly 4 Million Visitors in Early 2025

Vietnam is experiencing a tourism surge, welcoming nearly four million international visitors in the first two months of 2025. This marks a remarkable 30% year-on-year increase, driven by favorable visa policies, tourism promotion programs, and prestigious international awards. Despite this growth, Vietnam still trails behind Thailand, which recorded seven million arrivals during the same period.

China and South Korea Lead Vietnam’s Tourism Market

According to the General Statistics Office, China remained Vietnam’s largest source of foreign visitors, contributing 955,000 arrivals between January and February. South Korea followed closely with 885,000 visitors, while Taiwan ranked third with 218,000 tourists.

The United States came in fourth with 180,000 visitors, while Japan placed fifth with 147,000. The remaining top ten source markets included Cambodia (142,000), Australia (104,817), Malaysia (102,000), India (92,000), and Russia (79,000).

Sustained Growth and Favorable Policies

Vietnam’s tourism success has been fueled by its relaxed visa policies, allowing visitors from multiple countries to enter visa-free or apply for e-visas. Additionally, significant promotional efforts have positioned Vietnam as a must-visit destination in Southeast Asia.

In February alone, Vietnam recorded 1.9 million foreign arrivals, reaching 90% of January’s figure. South Korea overtook China as the top source market in February, with nearly 470,000 visitors. Other markets, including Taiwan, the U.S., Japan, and Malaysia, also saw growth ranging from five to nearly 40 percent.

Vietnam’s Ambitious Tourism Target

Vietnam aims to welcome 22-23 million foreign visitors in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. To support this goal, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed relevant ministries to consider extending visa exemptions to additional countries and even offering special entry privileges for global billionaires.

Russia has re-entered Vietnam’s top ten source markets, while the United Kingdom made its first appearance in the ranking since the COVID-19 pandemic. Polish and Swiss visitor numbers have also risen, reflecting the success of recent visa exemption policies.

With a strong tourism recovery underway, Vietnam is well on track to becoming one of Asia’s top travel destinations. If current trends continue, the country could meet or even exceed its ambitious visitor target for the year.

For more information on Vietnam’s tourism policies and travel opportunities, visit the official tourism website.