Tourism Industry: 2025's Bright Spot of Economic and Social Growth
| Vietnam: Attractive Destination for French Tourists in Summer 2025 | |
| Vietnam Tourism Sets New Record with Over 19 Million International Arrivals |
Tourism’s significant recovery
For the first time in 65 years, the industry hit the monumental milestone of 20 million international visitors in a single year, celebrated on December 15th in Phu Quoc. This represents a 20.9% increase over 2024, significantly surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
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| Saigon Central Post Office in HCMC. Photo: VGP |
This growth is driven by strategic market diversification and the restoration of international flight routes. Key economic hubs have seen remarkable surges. For example, Ho Chi Minh City remains the nation’s leader with 8.5 million international arrivals and a 36.1% increase in revenue, totaling VND 260,000 billion. Hanoi leveraged night tourism and heritage tours to boost international visits by 25%. Quang Ninh and Da Nang solidified their roles through high-end MICE tourism and synchronized infrastructure investments.
The impact of this recovery extends far beyond travel statistics. Tourism has become a "driving force" for trade, logistics, and retail, contributing to a goal of VND 1 quadrillion in total revenue for 2025. Locally, it supports double-digit GDP growth and has revitalized the service industry.
According to UN Tourism, Vietnam is now among the world’s fastest-growing destinations. Its 21% growth rate far outpaces the global average of 5% and the Asia-Pacific regional average of 8%. By successfully attracting high-spending, long-stay tourists and receiving numerous world tourism awards, Vietnam has firmly secured its position on the global tourism map. This is the solid foundation for continued breakthrough growth in the 2026–2030 period.
Accelerate, Break Through, and Aim for Higher Goals
In 2025, Vietnam’s tourism industry achieved a spectacular breakthrough, fueled by strategic reforms and a "Vietnam - Travel to Love" stimulus campaign. To sustain this momentum, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism focused on four key pillars, namely visa reform, infrastructure investment, digital transformation, and the diversification of high-end products such as MICE, eco-tourism, and maritime experiences.
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| The winding rocky roads of Ha Giang (now part of Tuyen Quang), with their breathtaking and striking natural scenery, hold a special allure for travelers (Photo: Getty Image) |
The Vietnam National Tourism Administration aggressively expanded its reach into major markets like Europe, India, and the US, even showcasing Vietnam’s beauty at the Cannes Film Festival. These efforts resulted in a wave of prestigious international accolades. For example, Vietnam was named the World's Leading Heritage Destination for the 6th time. Lo Lo Chai and Quynh Son were recognized as "Best Tourist Villages," while Tam Dao, Moc Chau, and Phu Quoc secured top world rankings for their unique nature and cultural value.
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| The country is set to welcome 25 million international visitors, generating VND 1.1 quadrillion in 2026 (Photo:Getty Image) |
By the end of 2025, international arrivals are projected to reach 21.5 million, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with domestic travelers hitting 135.5 million. This surge pushed total revenue beyond VND 1 quadrillion, contributing approximately 8.8% directly to the national GDP.
Building on this "bright spot" of economic growth, the industry has set ambitious targets for 2026. The country is set to welcome 25 million international visitors, generating VND 1.1 quadrillion. With strong government determination and inter-sectoral coordination, Vietnam is successfully transforming tourism into a spearhead economic sector, solidifying its prestigious position on the global tourism map.
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