Vietnam’s tourism industry hits target of 2024

Vietnam’s tourism sector sees a robust recovery, attracting 17.5 million international visitors in 2024 - photo: baochinhphu.vn

In 2024, Vietnam welcomed more than 17.5 million international visitors, up 39.5% year-on-year and reaching the yearly target.

This achievement highlights the sector’s strong performance, driven by streamlined visa policies, diversification and development of potential markets, and effective promotion activities both on-site and via digital platforms.

According to statistics from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), international arrivals by air totaled more than 14.8 million visitors (accounting for 84.4% of the total), visitors entering Vietnam by road reached nearly 2.5 million (representing 14.2%), and sea arrivals totaled around 248,100 (1.4%). Visitors from Asia accounted for 79.6% of the total international arrivals, with those from Europe accounting for 11.3%, the Americas 5.7%, and Africa 0.3%.

The Republic of Korea (RoK) was the largest tourism market of Vietnam in 2024, contributing 4.5 million arrivals (25.98%). China ranked second with 3.7 million arrivals (21.26%). Other top markets included Chinese Taipei (1.29 million visitors), the US (780,000), Japan (711,000), India (501,000), Malaysia (495,000), Australia (491,000), Cambodia (475,000), and Thailand (418,000).

India emerged as a highly potential market, showing remarkable growth over the past two years, from 138,000 arrivals in 2022 to 392,000 in 2023, and reaching 501,000 in 2024 – an increase of 2.6 times in just two years. India is now ranked sixth among Vietnam’s top tourism markets.

Growth drivers

Major Northeastern Asian markets were the primary drivers of the growth in the number of foreign visitors in 2024. The number of Chinese visitors increased by 214.4% over 2023, while the number of visitors from the RoK, Japan, and Chinese Taipei soared by 27.1, 20.7 and 51.4 percent, respectively.

The number of visitors from Southeast Asian markets also grew well, with significant growth from Indonesia (+74.7%), the Philippines (+73.6%), Laos (+23.3%), Cambodia (+18.0%), Malaysia (+5.4%), and Singapore (+5.9%). However, the number of visitors from Thailand decreased by 14.5%.

The number of tourists from European markets showed positive growth, with that from the UK up 20.8%, France (+29.4%), Germany (+24.5%), Italy (+55.8%), Spain (+20.1%), Russia (+84.9%), Denmark (+22.1%), Norway (+23.0%), and Sweden (+33.0%). These markets benefited from Vietnam’s unilateral visa exemption policy, allowing up to 45 days of stay since August 15, 2023.

Recovery compared to 2019

The number of visitors from Australia increased by 25% compared to 2019, while that from America grew by 3%. Meanwhile, the number of visitors from Asia reached 97% and 92% of 2019’s figures, respectively.

The recovery of Asian markets was led by the RoK with an increase of 6% and Chinese Taipei with the growth rate of 39%. The Indian market saw a breakthrough growth of 197% compared to pre-pandemic levels. The number of visitors from Cambodia increased by 108%, and that from Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, and Singapore soared by 73%, 51%, 48% and 12%, respectively.

However, the number of visitors from traditional markets like China, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia reached only 64%, 75%, 82%, and 82% of pre-pandemic levels, respectively.

The number of visitors from Spain, Italy, and Germany improved by 9%, 26% and 110%, respectively, compared to 2019 levels, while that from the UK and France reached 97% of the pre-pandemic levels. The number of visitors from the US and Australia also exceeded 2019 figures, growing by 5% and 128%, respectively.

Domestic tourism

Domestic tourists totaled an estimated 5 million in December 2024, including about 3.3 million overnight stays, taking the total to 110 million visitors in 2024, all bringing in a revenue of almost VND840 trillion.

The success of the tourism sector in 2024 resulted from innovations in promotion strategies and the effective implementation of the public-private partnership. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism launched numerous modern promotional campaigns targeting key and potential markets. These included digital media campaigns and direct promotions through international events, such as travel fairs and cultural exchange programs, enhancing Vietnam’s image as a tourist destination globally.

With these promising results, Vietnam’s tourism industry aims to attract 22-23 million international visitors in 2025, solidifying its position as a leading destination on the global tourism map./.