Latest figures showed Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international visitors in March alone, bringing the first-quarter total to 6.76 million, up 12.4% year-on-year. This is the highest quarterly figure on record and the first time Vietnam has recorded three consecutive months with more than 2 million international visitors, which reflects growing confidence among international travelers in Vietnam as a destination.
“Despite global uncertainties in multiple sectors, Vietnam continues to be a preferred destination for many travelers with its diverse natural landscapes, rich culture, steadily improving service quality, delicious cuisine, and warm and hospitable people. These results are highly encouraging,” said Dang Quoc Su, Director of the Tourism Promotion Center of Tuyen Quang province.
Air travel accounted for over 82% of international arrivals, an indication ofVietnam’s strong pull for medium- and long-haul travelers. Land arrivals made up 15.5%, while cruise passengers accounted for 2.2%.
China and South Korea were the two largest source markets, accounting for around 40% of total international visitors. Southeast and South Asia saw strong growth, with India and the Philippines each posting increases of nearly 70%, signaling a clear trend toward market diversification.
Director Su emphasized the need for a comprehensive set of solutions to sustain this growth momentum.
“First, it’s crucial to strengthen State tourism management, particularly in planning and visa policies. Second, we need to intensify promotion in key markets such as China, northern Asia, Europe, the United States, and ASEAN. Third, greater efforts should be made to develop a skilled tourism workforce, and raise public awareness of green, sustainable, and responsible tourism. Fourth, it’s important to diversify tourism products and services to create richer and more varied travel experiences," said Mr Su.
The strong performance in the first quarter underscores Vietnam’s steady progress in positioning itself globally as an attractive, stable, and sustainable destination.
