Tourism’s effects on socioeconomic life

In 2024, Vietnam’s tourism sector overcame numerous challenges and difficulties to achieve its targets. The country welcomed an estimated 17.5 million international visitors, a 38.9 percent increase compared to 2023. The number of domestic tourists was estimated at 110 million, up 1.6 percent. The total revenue from tourism was estimated at approximately VND840 trillion, an increase of 23.8 percent compared to 2023.

The number of international tourists to Vietnam has grown strongly - photo: VNA

Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), attributed the significant increase in international visitors to Vietnam’s efforts to restructure its tourism markets and diversify tourism products, as well as effective promotion activities both on-site and on digital platforms, and new visa policies. These achievements will serve as a driving force for Vietnam to further harness its vast tourism potential and improve the quality of products and services to attract international visitors to explore and fully experience what Vietnam has to offer.

Sharing his thoughts on the impressive growth of the tourism sector, Pham Hai Quynh, Director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute, noted that in recent times, many localities have invested in diversifying tourism products. Across the country, tourism has brought about positive changes to the socioeconomic life of localities, especially ethnic minority areas. Localities have been aware of the need to maximize indigenous cultural features and livelihoods to develop compelling tourism products.

Aiming to become a spearhead economic sector

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong emphasized that Vietnam is entering its rising era, and the tourism sector has the foundation and conditions to become one of the leading sectors in this new era. In 2025, the VNAT needs to continue effectively implementing two strategic tasks: tourism management and tourism promotion.

Vietnam expects to welcome 22-23 million international visitors in 2025 - photo: Hong Van

VNAT Deputy Director General Ha Van Sieu emphasized that the tourism sector is facing historic opportunities for development. The entire political system and society highly appreciate the driving role of tourism in the economy. The international tourism market still has significant growth potential, with favorable visa and immigration policies already in place. To become a spearhead economic sector and an important driving force for national development, the tourism sector has outlined solutions to be implemented in the coming period.

Specifically, information dissemination will continue to be intensified to enhance public awareness of the development of tourism as a spearhead economic sector. Administrative reforms will be accelerated along with improving the investment environment. Bottlenecks will be addressed to support tourism development and enhance national competitiveness in terms of tourism. There will be a focus on training a high-quality workforce for the tourism sector, while strengthening public-private partnerships to mobilize social resources for tourism development. Sustainable tourism development solutions must go alongside the preservation of ethnic cultural heritage and environmental protection.