Cambodia, India, Indonesia are Vietnam's fastest growing tourism markets

It was followed by India (304%), Indonesia (188%), Taiwan (145%), Laos (125%), and Spain (123%), according to data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Singapore, Australia, South Korea, and Germany rounded off the top 10.

Asia has become a bright spot for Vietnam’s inbound tourism due to the visa-free stay of 30 days for nationals of ASEAN member countries and the increasing launches of direct flights from Southeast Asia, insiders said.

A number of Indian billionaires have been hiring luxury resorts in Phu Quoc, Da Nang and Ha Long to organize weddings, further boosting Vietnam’s reputation on the global tourism map.

Australians are also increasingly traveling to Vietnam thanks to low airfares and a number of new direct flights from their country to Hanoi and HCMC.

Since last August citizens of European countries such as Spain and Germany have been able to stay visa-free for 45 days instead of the earlier 15.

According to the tourism authority, the number of Chinese tourists last year was only 30% of the 2019 figure, but 69% in the first three months of this year.

Many Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Malaysia have waived visas for Chinese and Indians amid an intense tourism race, and tourism experts want the Vietnamese government to do the same.

Singapore recently announced it would consider waiving visas for Indian tourists.

Martin Koerner, head of the Vietnam Business Forum’s tourism working group, said besides visa waivers Vietnam should also improve the quality and diversity of its tourism services and open offices in key markets to attract foreign visitors.

The number of foreign arrivals in January-March was 4.6 million, up 3.2% from 2019, the first time a quarterly number has exceeded pre-pandemic levels since the country reopened its borders in March 2022.

It represented a 72% increase from last year and 25% of this year’s target of 18 million.