Vietnam receives 17.6 million foreign tourists in 2024, half of Thailand's total

By Hoang Phong January 5, 2025 | 08:22 pm PT

Foreign tourists at a restaurant in Hue, December 2024. Photo by Van An

Vietnam welcomed 17.58 million foreign tourists in 2024, a 39.5% increase year-on-year and reaching 97.6% of pre-Covid levels, but the figure remains just half of Thailand's figure for the year.

South Korea was Vietnam's largest source of visitors, with 4.5 million arrivals, up 27% year-on-year.

It was followed by mainland China with 3.73 million visitors, Taiwan (1.28 million), the U.S. (779,000), and Japan (711,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

Other key markets include India (501,000), Malaysia (495,383), Australia (490,880), Cambodia (474,000), and Thailand (418,054).

In December alone, Vietnam recorded its highest monthly total of the year, welcoming 1.75 million foreign visitors.

Despite nearing its target of 18 million, Vietnam's foreign tourist numbers were significantly lower than other Southeast Asian countries.

Thailand, where tourism plays a critical role in the economy, recorded over 35 million foreign arrivals in 2024, while Malaysia welcomed over 22.5 million as of November.

Vietnam aims to attract 23 million foreign tourists in 2025, a 31% increase from 2024's total.