Vietnam eyes 18 million foreign tourists this year

By Phuong Anh December 31, 2023 | 05:00 pm PT

Foreign tourists take a boat tour in Ha Long Bay, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Lux Cruises

The tourism industry, after achieving last year's targets, hopes to attract 18 million foreign visitors in 2024, the same number as in 2019, the year before Covid-19 began.

It eyes revenues of VND840 trillion (US$34 billion), up 1.25 times from last year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

The country also targets 110 million domestic tourists.

Vietnam wrapped up 2023 with 12.6 million foreign arrivals, 3.4 times the 2022 figure but only 70% of the pre-pandemic one.

South Korea, mainland China and Taiwan were the biggest sources of tourists.

Despite recording a significant recovery last year, the tourism industry has lingering challenges like inflation and economic downtown and unpredictable geopolitical events, the authority said.

But the target is modest compared to those of other Southeast Asian countries.

Thailand targets 35 million foreign arrivals this year after getting 28 million last year.