According to the General Statistics Office, this represents an 18.5% increase compared to the previous month and a remarkable 36.9% growth from the same period last year.

The largest number of visitors came from Asia, with over 1.6 million arrivals, followed by tourists from Europe, the Americas, and Australia.

Among the key markets, China saw the most significant growth, with nearly 575,000 arrivals. This marks a 48.2% increase compared to December 2024 and a staggering 137.4% rise from January 2024. With this sharp increase, China has now surpassed South Korea to become Vietnam’s largest source of international visitors.

Japan also experienced strong growth, with 72,300 arrivals, reflecting a 30.2% increase from the previous month.

Cambodia saw an even more dramatic surge, with over 100,000 visitors, representing a 64.2% rise from December 2024 and a 168.6% increase compared to the same period last year.

While some markets recorded impressive growth, others saw a decline due to the Lunar New Year, which typically discourages outbound travel.

South Korea, previously Vietnam’s top tourism market, dropped to second place with 417,000 visitors, a 4% decrease from December. Taiwan (China) saw a decline of 17.9%, while Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, and India experienced drops of 21.2%, 43.9%, 22.8%, and 13%, respectively.

In contrast, European markets, especially those benefiting from Vietnam’s visa exemption policy, recorded strong growth.

Russian arrivals increased by more than 49%. Visitors from Italy rose by 39.8%, while Denmark saw a 41.5% increase. The UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Poland all recorded double-digit growth, ranging from 15% to 25%.

This continued growth highlights the effectiveness of Vietnam’s visa policy, which extended the visa-free stay for 13 European countries from 15 to 45 days under Resolution 128/NQ-CP, effective since August 15, 2023.

From March 1, 2025, Vietnam will further expand its visa exemption policy to include Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. This is expected to drive further increases in European arrivals in the coming months.

Visitors from North America also contributed to the tourism boom. Arrivals from the United States increased by 25.5%, while Canada saw a 35.3% rise.

The Australian market also recorded over 30% growth, with both Australian and New Zealand tourists showing increased interest in Vietnam as a travel destination.

During the Lunar New Year holiday, major tourist destinations across Vietnam experienced a significant rise in international visitors.

Quang Ninh welcomed approximately 228,700 foreign tourists, while Da Nang saw over 228,000 visitors, marking a 29% increase from the same period in 2024.

Quang Nam attracted 157,000 international travelers, reflecting a 40% growth. Hanoi recorded 142,000 foreign visitors, up 15.8% from last year.

Ho Chi Minh City welcomed around 87,358 international tourists, an increase of 16.5%. Other popular destinations such as Kien Giang, Hue, and several coastal cities also experienced notable increases, reinforcing Vietnam’s appeal as a global travel hotspot.

Experts attribute this record-breaking performance to favorable visa policies, effective market diversification, and continuous efforts by local tourism authorities to enhance promotional activities and upgrade travel experiences.

With a strong start to 2025, Vietnam’s tourism industry has set an ambitious goal of attracting 22 to 23 million international visitors by the end of the year.

Ngoc Ha