Viet Nam welcomes 12.2 million foreign visitors in first seven months

Mainland China continued to be Viet Nam's largest source market with 3.1 million arrivals between January and July, marking a 45 percent surge compared to the same period last year. It was followed by South Korea (2.5 million), Taiwan (736,000), the United States (521,000), and Japan (449,000).

The robust growth came as a result of a combination of favorable visa policies, extensive promotional campaigns, and a series of high-profile events commemorating major national holidays.

Since March 1, Viet Nam has waived visas for tourists from Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland traveling on package tours for a duration of stay of up to 45 days. 

Additionally, in mid-March, the Government extended visa exemptions until 2028 for citizens from 12 countries, including Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Viet Nam's e-visa system is now regarded as one of the most streamlined and transparent in the region. Fully digitalized procedures, eliminating paperwork and interviews, coupled with swift and flexible processing times, have significantly enhanced the entry experience for foreign travelers, giving Viet Nam a competitive edge over countries that maintain cumbersome and costly visa processes.

Viet Nam set an ambitious goal of attracting 22 to 23 million international visitors in 2025. While challenging, this target underscores the nation's determination to elevate tourism as a key driver of economic growth.

Last year, Viet Nam welcomed 17.5 million foreign visitors, recovering to 98 percent of its pre-pandemic level recorded in 2019. This recovery pace outperformed regional peers such as Thailand (88 percent) and Singapore (86 percent)./.