(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam welcomed 1.73 million foreign tourists in October, the highest figure ever recorded for the month and a 14% increase from September, according to data released Thursday by the National Statistics Office.
 International visitors explore the exhibition space showcasing traditional craft village products at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. (Photo: Mai Mai/VNA) |
Major source markets including China, South Korea, Taiwan (China), the US, Australia, and Cambodia, all posted strong growth of 10 to 24% compared to September, said the NSO.
The surge was attributed to favorable visa policies, intensified tourism promotion campaigns, and a series of national celebrations earlier in the year, such as the April 30 and September 2 holidays, which helped sustain international visitor momentum.
In the first ten months of this year, Vietnam welcomed 17.2 million foreign arrivals, up 22% from last year. Dr. Pham Hai Quynh, Director of the Asia Tourism Development Institute, described the figure as “a very strong result,” signaling a positive outlook for Vietnam’s tourism industry.
He noted that the 1.73 million arrivals not only surpassed pre-pandemic records for the same period but also exceeded several summer peak months that typically draw 1.4–1.5 million visitors.
This milestone is a significant boost, Quynh said, helping the tourism sector move closer to its annual target of up to 23 million international visitors.