Foreign tourists to Vietnam reaches 98% of year's target

By Hoang Phong August 29, 2023 | 05:41 am PT

South Korean tourists visit Ponaga Tower in Nha Trang, central Vietnam, May 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Bui Toan

Vietnam has received 7.8 million foreign visitors in the first eight months of this year, putting the country on track to fulfil its this year's 8 million target.

In August alone, international visitors to Vietnam reached 1.2 million, up 17.2% against the previous month, marking the second consecutive month when foreign tourist arrivals exceeded a million, according to the General Statistics Office.

So far, South Korea sent the highest number of visitors to Vietnam at 2.27 million, followed by China (almost 950,000) and the U.S. (502,000).

Nguyen Trung Khanh, head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said the new visa policy from Aug. 15 will help Vietnam attract more foreign visitors and enhance the competitiveness of the tourism industry.

There remains a lot of room for the tourism industry to spur its growth when it enters the peak international tourism season at the end of the year, he added.

The peak season of international tourism season typically lasts from September until April next year as Western tourists flock to Vietnam for a winter holiday break.

Vietnam's new immigration policy accepts e-visa registration from citizens from all countries and territories, with the visa valid for multiple entries and for 90 days.

In addition to grating e-visas to all countries, the government also extended the duration of stays in Vietnam from 15 to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries unilaterally exempted from visas.