Vietnam

Vietnam welcomed 2.07 million foreign tourists in Jan 2025, +36.9% YoY. According to the General Statistics Office: - Mainland China was the largest source of visitors with 575,000 arrivals, +237% YoY - South Korea was second-largest market with 417,000 arrivals - Cambodia was the third-largest market with 100,000 arrivals - The U.S. ranked fourth with 92,000 visitors - Taiwan ranked fifth with 91,000 visitors - Other key markets include Japan, Australia, India, Malaysia, and Russia, with 72,000, 66,000, 48,000, 42,935, and 42,515 visitors respectively - Da Nang and Phu Quoc saw a decline in South Korean tourist numbers, put down to growing fears of flying after the Jeju Air crash

According to the data from the ASEAN Secretariat: - Vietnam welcomed 17.6 million international visitors in 2024, a 98% recovery rate compared to 2019 - Vietnam ranked third in Southeast Asia for international visitor numbers in 2024, behind Thailand (35 million) and Malaysia (24.5 million), but ahead of Singapore (16.5 million), Indonesia (14 million), and the Philippines (6 million) - Agoda showed that in 2024, the number of tourists from South Korea to Vietnam was +94% YoY, while from Taiwan was +123% YoY - In 2025, Phu Quoc’s accommodation searches are expected to be +266% YoY

From 14-16 Feb 2025, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism will host a series of activities in Son Tay District to celebrate the Lunar New Year, with the participation of around 200 representatives from 28 ethnic communities across 14 provinces. Key activities include art performances, cultural heritage displays, and interactive activities

According to the Minister of Transport, the Ministry is preparing a resolution to guide ministries, sectors, and localities in completing specific tasks to enable the construction of the North-South high-speed railway project to begin by late 2027. Key tasks include drafting legal documents for special mechanisms and policies; submitting an investment proposal for the Prime Minister’s approval; and selecting contractors, conducting surveys, and preparing materials. From 2025, localities will manage compensation, resettlement, and power infrastructure relocation, targeting completion by 2027 to provide cleared land for construction

According to a government’s statement released on 5 Feb, in Jan 2025: - Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) was +3.63% YoY - Industrial production was +0.6% YoY - Retail sales were +9.5% YoY - Trade surplus was recorded at $1.23 billion USD

From 25 Jan-2 Feb, An Giang province welcomed 771,000 visitors (+0.4% YoY), including 1,600 foreigners. During this period, Bac Lieu province welcomed 245,000 visitors, including 20,450 overnight guests, with total tourism revenue reaching $3.95 million USD. Vinh Long province welcomed 75,000 visitors, including 1,000 foreigners, with tourism revenue of $1.5 million USD

According to the announcement of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, workers will have 5 days off from 30 Apr - 4 May for the Victory Day and International Labour Day 2025. The working day of 2 May will be shifted to 26 Apr to accommodate this. For the National Day 2025, officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers will have 4 days off from 30 Aug - 2 Sep

From 8-13 Feb, Bac Giang province will host the Bac Giang Culture-Tourism Week and the Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival. Main activities include the procession of the Tam To Truc Lam tablets, exhibitions, performances, and photography displays. The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda has been refurbished to display 3,050 UNESCO-recognised printing woodblocks of Buddhist scriptures

According to a report by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for the 9-day Lunar New Year 2025 holiday: - Vietnam welcomed around 12.5 million domestic tourists, +19% YoY - The number of international tourists was +30% YoY - HCMC welcomed 2.1 million visitors, with revenue of $304 million USD, +17.4% YoY - Hanoi welcomed around 1 million visitors, with revenue of $303.7 million USD, +7.85% YoY. The number of international tourists reached 142,000, +15.8% YoY, with key markets included China, South Korea, Taiwan, the U.S., the U.K., Malaysia, India, Germany, France, and Japan - Quang Ninh welcomed 969,000 visitors, with revenue of $105 million USD - Ba Ria - Vung Tau welcomed 869,433 visitors - Khanh Hoa welcomed 825,195 visitors, with revenue of $53.3 million USD, +41% YoY - Tourism revenue of Da Nang, Lao Cai, Kien Giang and Ninh Binh reached $74.2 million USD, $52.9 million USD (+49% YoY), $74.2 million USD (+50% YoY), and $39.4 million USD (+20% YoY) respectively - Da Nang welcomed 1,800 international passengers arrived on cruise ships, Quang Ninh hosted 6,000 passengers and 4,000 crew members - Room occupancy rates in Sa Pa, Kien Giang, HCMC, Hue, Phu Yen, Da Nang reached 90-95%, 73.4%, 65%, 63%, 62%, and 50% respectively - Hotel room rates were +5-10% YoY - Railway tours became popular during the holiday, including routes connecting Hanoi - Lao Cai, Quang Binh, HCMC - Nha Trang, Hue - Da Nang

On 2 Jan, the Phap Van–Cau Gie Expressway and Ring Road 3, connecting Hanoi to Thanh Hoa and Ninh Binh provinces, faced heavy congestion, with traffic jams stretching nearly 2km, due to crowds of vehicle flooding to the capital city after the New Year holiday. In HCMC, Cat Lai Ferry Terminal saw congestion extending over 3 km on Ly Thai To street, with around 70,000 passengers, double the usual post-Tet count. Mekong Delta traffic caused 1 km of congestion on National Highway 1A from 5pm. The Cam Lam–Vinh Hao section of Nha Trang to HCMC expressway had a 4 km jam due to a tunnel bottleneck. The Phan Thiet - Dau Giay Expressway in Binh Thuan Province also saw 10 km of congestion worsened by a minor collision

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, HCMC welcomed 87,360 international visitors during the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday, +16.5% YoY, with tourism revenue reaching around $306.6 million USD, +17.4% YoY. Hotel occupancy rates were +44.4% YoY. New trends include travelling by car to destinations connected to HCMC via expressways, travelling in small groups, and opting for premium vacation tours. A representative from a local travel firm said that high-end leisure tourism products (combining wellness, fitness, meditation, and Tet cultural experiences) saw significant demand

In 2024, Khanh Hoa welcomed over 10.6 million visitors, +45.5% YoY, including over 4.5 million international visitors, +89.3% YoY. Total tourism revenue reached $2.06 billion USD, +53.9% YoY. The province aimed to attract 11.8 million visitors in 2025, including 5.2 million international tourists, with tourism revenue expected at 60 trillion VND

From 3 Feb-1 May 2025, the Huong Pagoda Festival - Vietnam's longest festival - will be held at the Huong Son Landscape Complex in My Duc District in Hanoi, featuring Buddhist rituals and traditional cultural activities. The Head of the Organising Committee noted that scenic entrance and boat tickets will be integrated for convenience. Nearly 4,000 boats are prepared to transport visitors

According to a Booking.com’s study on Vietnamese behavior: - 44% of Vietnamese travellers prefer spending on family trips over leaving inheritance for their children - 52% of Vietnamese travellers enjoy creating lasting memories with loved ones - 36% appreciate seeing children learn from various family role models - 74% of Vietnamese travellers said that their parents still pay for their holidays as adults, with 88% of baby boomers willing to fund family trips - According to Agoda’s 2025 Travel Trends survey, family-oriented trips are a key trend, with 39% of Vietnamese travellers planning family vacations in 2025

According to the market research firm Imarc, Vietnam’s wellness tourism sector was valued at $26.4 billion USD in 2024. It is projected to grow by 9.3% in 2025, surpassing the 7.3% global forecast for the wellness tourism industry. A survey conducted by IFM Research in Nov 2024 indicated that at least 80% of Vietnamese surveyed have made health-focused changes, such as exercising, improving diets, or taking supplements. Vietnam, along with China and Japan, is a top-3 Asian nation expected to attract significant investment in wellness tourism, particularly for thermal and mineral spring resorts

75% of tourists visiting Phu Quoc during the New Year holiday are international visitors. According to the Kien Giang Department of Tourism, tourism revenue on 25 Jan 2025 reached $6 million USD. Data from Mustgo showed that 90% of accommodations in Phu Quoc were booked, primarily 4-star and 5-star hotels. The Business Director of Mustgo said that international tourists prefer 5-star services, while medium and small businesses cater mostly to domestic visitors. They primarily spend on accommodations, trips, and meals rather than shopping

On 29 Jan, over 800 U.S. tourists arrived at Da Nang city on the cruise ship Crystal Symphony. On the same date, 500 tourists from Europe and the U.S. arrived at the Ha Long International Passenger Port on the Silver Dawn cruise ship

Ninh Binh introduced diverse tourism products and activities during the 2025 New Year holiday, including rice cake making, calligraphy practice, pottery workshops at the Trang An eco-tourism sites, folk art activities at Hoa Lu old quarter, and herb harvesting and processing activities at Nguyen Saint Temple. Major festivals include Bai Dinh festival, Thai Vi Temple festival, and Trang An festival. Many businesses offered free admission and discounts on various products and services

As part of a large-scale art show for Lunar New Year’s Eve on 28 Jan, 4,050 drones participated in a rehearsal above My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi. During the rehearsal, technical malfunctions caused several drones to crash and catch fire. According to Nam Tu Liem District’s People Committee, no injuries or property damage were made thanks to safety plans

According to the 1/500 planning approved by the HCMC authorities, the Can Gio Marine Tourism-Urban Complex Project will cover a total area of 2,870 hectares, cost nearly $9 billion USD, with the population capacity of nearly 230,000 residents. The project combines 4 subdivisions focusing on ecological residential area with tourism services, resort tourism, social housing, modern urban area, commercial centres, water surface with canals and green spaces. The Can Gio Tourist City Corporation will manage this project, with implementation expected to start in Apr 2025, and completion expected by 2030. It is expected to welcome 8-9 million visitors annually

According to the provincial Department of Tourism, Lao Cai was expected to welcome 360,000 visitors during the 9-day Tet holiday (25 Jan - 2 Feb), +40% YoY, including 13,000 foreign visitors. Tourism revenue was estimated at $51.39 million USD, +43% YoY. Sa Pa town is expected to welcome 130,000 visitors during this time, increasing to 300,000 by the end of Mar. Tourism businesses across Lao Cai reported an accommodation occupancy rate of about 70-75%, with Sa Pa recorded at 90-95%. Lao Cai planned over 80 events for Tet and spring festivals. According to survey results, there is an increasing preference for 3D2N and 4D3N tour packages combining sightseeing, cultural experiences, and relaxation in Lao Cai

According to the statistics from the Institute for Tourism Development Research (ITDR), Vietnam has 2,360 rivers spanning 41,900km, offering potential for river tourism. The Director of ITDR shared that challenges remained in poor waterway infrastructure, lack of dredging in the Mekong Delta, limited transport connectivity, insufficient promotion, lack of branding, and reduced competitiveness compared to countries like Thailand and Cambodia. According to the Deputy Head of HCMC’s Department of Tourism, the city lacks large-scale inland wharves for restaurant and hotel ships. The Head of Tourism Department at Hoa Binh University suggested establishing a Vietnamese river tourism brand rooted in culture, nature, people, and encouraging collaboration between local authorities and travel companies to build tour packages

At the 2025 Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Convention, which took place from 17-21 Jan in Ninh Binh, Threeland Travel - a Southeast Asia-focused destination management company - partnered with TAFI. The company organised pre- and post-familiarisation trips for Indian travel agents to Vietnam's key destinations, including Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, and Hoi An

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, Da Nang city is expected to welcome 456,000 visitors, including over 221,000 international tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday (25 Jan - 2 Feb), +13.5% YoY. Visitors will arrive from countries like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia. The Da Nang International Airport will handle around 1,275 flights. Additionally, 2 cruise ships carrying 800 tourists from the U.S. and UK will visit the city. The city will host several events during the holiday, including firework display, bridge shows, river cruises, flower street, and the 2025 God of Wealth festival

According to a recent survey by The Outbox Company for the New Year holiday: - Vietnamese prioritise domestic trips, and prefer self-organised or “Free & Easy” (F&E) tours, focusing on booking only essential services - Popular trip duration is 3-4 days - 46% of travellers prefer multi-generational family travel, 30% travel with a spouse or partner, and 17% with friends or colleagues - Average travel budgets were +58% YoY, reflecting a demand for premium experiences - Ticket costs are projected to be +10–15% YoY

Agoda pledged $1.5 million USD for conservation projects in Asia. Agoda launched its 4th Eco Deals program in partnership with the WWF. With every booking at a participating hotel, Agoda will donate $1 USD towards WWF’s conservation efforts. The program will be available from 20 Jan-19 Dec. The fund supports; - tiger conservation in Malaysia - whale sharks protection in the Philippines - elephants conservation in Thailand - safeguarding saolas in Vietnam - ecosystems restoration in Indonesia - urban wetlands development in Laos - supporting rangers in Cambodia

According to a new visa exemption agreement, starting from 30 Jan 2025, Vietnamese visitors can enter Belarus visa-free for up to 30 days per trip, with a yearly limit of 90 days, and vice versa

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 5 historical sites were recognised as special national relics, including the Ponagar Temple in Nha Trang City, the Boi Khe Pagoda in Hanoi, the Xam Temple, Nam Dinh province, the Mac Dynasty Relic Complex, and Tu Luong Xam Relic Complex in Hai Phong

The CEO of Panorama JTB Tours Indonesia said that Vietnam is a popular alternative for Indonesians who have frequently visited Thailand. The CEO of Destination Tour shared that there is a shift in interest from northern Vietnam to central Vietnam, offering year-round attractions. According to the founder and travel curator at Truvi, high-end Indonesian travellers are exploring destinations like Phu Quoc, Hoi An, Danang, and Ninh Van Bay, apart from Hanoi and HCMC. However, lack of direct flights to Danang from Indonesia requires travel via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, impacting convenience

Quang Ninh province expects 11 luxury cruise ships carrying nearly 16,000 international visitors in Jan 2025. According to the provincial Tourism Department, the first ship, Silver Dawn, with around 600 passengers, will arrive on 29 Jan. Ha Long is expected to see a steady annual growth of 15-20% in cruise arrivals. In 2025, the province anticipates hosting 70 cruise ships and nearly 90,000 passengers, +30% YoY

On 20 Jan 2025, Vietluxtour welcomed nearly 100 Polish tourists for a 10-day Indochina tour. Their itinerary included stops in HCMC, the Mekong Delta, and Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan Province. Tourism companies anticipate growing demand for relaxing, premium services and flexible travel packages like Free and Easy and customised tours

On 19 Jan, the West Coach Station in HCMC served 27,300 passengers. 25-27 Jan is expected to be peak travel days, with over 760,000 trips planned across 34,000 bus journeys. The East Coach Station recorded over 7,000 passengers, and 385 departures on 19 Jan. The station’s traffic is predicted to be +103% YoY, peaking at 140,000 passengers during the New Year period. Nga Tu Ga Coach Station expects a 219% traffic surge to over 51,000 passengers, and An Suong Coach Station predicts a 59% rise, exceeding 79,000 passengers during this 20-day period

A Vietnamese delegation attended the International Participants Meeting (IPM) for EXPO 2025, held in Hyogo prefecture in Japan, marking the 7th time Vietnam participated in the expo. The Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism said that Vietnam aims to showcase its cultural identity, development potential, and strengthen its global connections, particularly with Japan

During the 47th Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee session in Vientiane on 9 Jan, Laos and Vietnam launched a QR code payment system to enhance trade and tourism between the 2 nations. 7 Vietnamese banks and 14 Lao banks within the Lao National Payment Network (LAPNet) will offer the cross-border payment service. The National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) also introduced similar QR code payment services with Thailand and Cambodia, with plans to expand to countries like China, South Korea, and Japan

From Jan-Nov 2024, 25,000 Mongolian tourists visited Vietnam, nearing the total of 26,000 in 2023. The regional sales director of Melia Vinpearl said that high-spending Mongolian tourists greatly contribute to the revenue of hotels and local tourism services

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Convention 2025 started in Ninh Bing province in Vietnam

On 17 Jan, Seabourn Encore and Silver Whisper cruise ship docked at Ha Long International Cruise Port in Quang Ninh, bringing over 1,200 international tourists. Around 60 cruise ships with nearly 90,000 tourists are expected in 2025, +30% YoY

On 18 Jan, the social network Food Vietnam was launched in HCMC. The platform connects food and travel lovers, suggests highly rated tours, restaurants, and specialty eateries, and supports small businesses by promoting their products. The launch took place during the Go Vap Food Travel and Street Music 2025 festival, held on 18-19 Jan

Nha Trang, HCMC and Da Nang are said to be top destinations for Korean travellers over the 2025 Lunar New Year, according to the Chosun Daily. Bangkok is also said to be an important destination

Nha Trang, HCMC and Da Nang are said to be top destinations for Korean travellers over the 2025 Lunar New Year, according to the Chosun Daily. Bangkok is also said to be an important destination >> 16 Jan: In 2025, the AUD has depreciated to 16,000 VND from 23,000 VND a decade ago, with predictions of a further drop to 14,000 VND

Hanoi, Hoi An, and HCMC were featured in the 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards as top global destinations, based on reviews from 1 Oct 2023-30 Sep 2024. Hanoi ranked 2nd place in the top 10 culture destinations. Hoi An ranked 11th in the top destinations list, and 4th place in the top 10 honeymoon destinations for 2025

From 9-11 Jan, Vietjet’s senior leadership participated in the “Friends of Vietnam Summit” in Palm Beach in Florida. Vietjet’s delegation arrived in Miami on its inaugural U.S. flight

On 15 Jan, Vietnam government issued a resolution granting visa exemptions for citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland from 1 Mar-31 Dec 2025. Visitors can stay for up to 45 days for tourism purposes under itineraries arranged by Vietnamese international tour operators

The Vietnamese government is considering easing regulations to allow aircraft made by Chinese state-owned COMAC to operate in the country. The Deputy Prime Minister tasked the transport ministry with reviewing regulations to facilitate COMAC's entry into Vietnam's aviation market

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), Tan Son Nhat Airport will serve over 6,100 flights during the 2025 New Year holiday (+8.7% YoY) and nearly 900,000 passengers (+4% YoY). The airport is forecasted to handle 820-900 flights daily during the peak period (23-26 Jan), with around 150,000 passengers passing through each day (+12.7% YoY). Airlines are also increasing night flights for the Tet season, Vietnam Airlines has planned over 1,500-night flights, while VietJet Air planned 1,590

HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport is expected to serve a record of 155,000 pax per day during Tet, with 820-900 flights daily. The busiest day is set to be 23 Jan with 901 flights. Passengers on peak days will see a 12.7% YoY increase, whilst flights from HCMC to northern and central provinces are nearly fully booked. Airlines in general are planning to fly 6,100 flights, +8.7% YoY, and 900,000 pax, +4% YoY

The Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee signed a decision to implement a 5-year plan (2025–2030) to develop traditional craft villages in the city. By 2030, Hanoi aims to restore and preserve at least 5 endangered traditional crafts, craft villages, develop 3 craft villages linked to tourism, and create 10 tourism routes for craft village experiences. This increases to 20 craft villages with tourism links, and 20 tourism routes for craft village experiences by 2050

On 14 Jan, Vietnam’s President announced that Phu Quoc will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2027

HCMC will launch fireworks at 15 locations during the Lunar New Year, up from 8 in 2024, including 2 high-altitude displays, and 13 low-altitude displays at various city locations. In addition to fireworks, HCMC will host a 3D light show projected onto City Hall and several activities, including the Nguyen Hue Flower Street and the Book Festival

HCMC's annual New Year Festival will take place until 2 Feb 2025 at the Youth Cultural House, showcasing traditional crafts, including pottery, mat weaving, and bamboo weaving

From 14- 21 Jan, Sa Dec city in Dong Thap province will launch the 2025 Spring Flower Festival, featuring cultural and artistic activities like floriculture tributes, ornamental plant exhibitions, and food competitions. The festival attracts nearly 1 million visitors annually, including 2,000 international tourists

In 2024, Sam Son welcomed nearly 9 million arrivals, +110% YoY, achieving 105% of the planned target, with revenue of over 17 trillion VND, accounting for over 50% of Thanh Hoa Province's total tourism revenue. In 2025, the province expects to welcome 16 million visitors, and achieve 45.5 trillion VND in tourism revenue. The Standing Vice Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee requested to enhance governance in tourism pricing and transport services, improve infrastructure management, including Hubway utilisation, to create a modern, safe, and appealing tourism environment

According to Booking.com, Hanoi ranks seventh among the top 10 domestic destinations for Tet 2025. In 2025, the city plans to focus on high-end services targeting long-stay, high-spending visitors

Quang Ninh welcomed 19 million visitors in 2024, including 3.8 million international tourists. The province aims to attract 20 million visitors in 2025, targeting 4.5 million foreign tourists, with expected tourism revenue at $2 billion USD. The Secretary of the Quang Ninh provincial Party Committee said that the province will focus on preserving heritage, enhancing smart tourism, and using digital technology to promote and manage tourism

Quang Ninh welcomed 19 million visitors in 2024, including 3.8 million international tourists. The province aims to attract 20 million visitors in 2025, targeting 4.5 million foreign tourists, with expected tourism revenue at $2 billion USD. The Secretary of the Quang Ninh provincial Party Committee said that the province will focus on preserving heritage, enhancing smart tourism, and using digital technology to promote and manage tourism. In 2025, the province planned to develop 3 beaches (Soi Sim, Hang Co, Trinh Nu), host performances and parties in Ha Long Bay’s caves and identify 7 pristine island areas and beaches for high-spending customers

According to the Ministry of Tourism, from Jan-Nov 2024, Cambodia welcomed 69,063 Indian tourists, +13.2% YoY. However, Indian tourists are yet to rank among the top 10 sources of arrivals to Cambodia. The President of the Khmer Angkor Tour Guides Association (KATGA) said that Indian tourists feel a sense of pride in seeing cultural and religious influences from India preserved in Cambodia

The General Department of Taxation requested 100 banks and payment intermediaries to declare, withhold, and remit taxes on behalf of transactions made with platforms such as Agoda, Airbnb, Booking.com, and PayPal. According to the department, these platforms have been operating in Vietnam, generating income without registering for tax purposes, including value-added tax (VAT) and corporate income tax. According to the Deputy Director General of the General Department of Taxation, a key goal for 2025 is to speed up digital transformation in tax management

Vietjet added 4 wet-leased aircraft to its fleet, and welcomed 2 A321neo ACF aircraft from Airbus at the end of 2024, bringing its total fleet size to 115 planes. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, domestic flight bookings for the Lunar New Year have reached 90%-100% capacity

In 2024, Tien Giang province attracted 1.64 million visitors, +18.1% YoY, including 504,000 international tourists, with tourism revenue reaching $360 million USD, +22.6% YoY. The province’s 3 ecological zones, including freshwater, saline, and acid-sulfate, are attracting tourists with an average annual growth rate of 15%, making it one of the fastest-growing localities in the Mekong Delta. The saline ecosystem tourism zone in Tan Thanh beach is being invested to become an ecotourism destination

In 2024, Ninh Thuan province welcomed 3.46 million visitors, +19.3% YoY, with tourism revenue reaching $153.5 million USD. The province aims to welcome 3.6 million tourists in 2025 and generate $157.45 million USD in tourism revenue. In 2025, the province will host several cultural and sports events, including the Mr Tourism World 2025, a boxing championship, and the biennial Grape and Wine Festival in Apr. The Deputy Chairman of the province’s People’s Committee emphasised strengthening tourism connections with cities and regions in countries like China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, and Australia