Vietnam attracts 2.1 million foreign visitors in January, highest-ever monthly number

The number of foreign arrivals in the first month of this year surpassed those of January 2019 and 2020, both considered peak periods for Vietnamese tourism before the slowdown caused by the Covid pandemic, according to the Vietnam National Tourism Administration.

The administration reported that during the Lunar New Year holiday (Jan. 25 - Feb. 2), many localities saw a significant increase in the number of international visitors.

Da Nang welcomed more than 228,000 visitors, up 29% year-on-year; Quang Nam with 157,000, up 40%; Hanoi with 142,000, up 15.8%; Ho Chi Minh City with 87,358, up 16.5%; and Hue city with 60,170, up 33%.

Of the international visitors in January, 86.8% came to Vietnam by air, 11% by road, and 2.2% by sea.

According to VNAT, the number of international arrivals to Vietnam continues to increase thanks to the favorable visa policy as well as right orientations on tourist markets and efforts of businesses and localities in renewing tourist products and widespread promotion activities.

In 2025, Vietnam aims to welcome 22-23 million international tourists.

Last year, over 17.5 million international tourists came to Vietnam, an increase of 39.5% compared to 2023.

Tourism revenue in January is estimated at VND5.1 trillion, up 17.3% compared to the same period last year, driven by high travel demand from both domestic and international holiday-makers on New Year occasion.

Some localities seeing a year-on-year increase in tourism revenue included Khanh Hoa with a rise of 36.6%; Da Nang 21%; Ho Chi Minh City 17%; Can Tho 16%; Hanoi 14.8%; and Quang Ninh 14.7%.