Vietnam receives 4 million foreign visitors in first 2 months, more than half of Thailand's figure

By Hoang Phong March 6, 2025 | 05:00 am PT

Foreign tourists at a night market in Phu Quoc Island, southern Vietnam. Photo by SG

Vietnam welcomed 3.96 million foreign arrivals in the first two months of 2025, a 30% year-on-year increase but still lagging behind Thailand's total of seven million.

The surge in Vietnam's foreign tourists was driven by favorable visa policies, tourism promotion programs, and prestigious tourism awards from international organizations, according to the General Statistics Office.

From January to February, mainland China remained Vietnam's largest source of visitors, with 955,000 arrivals, followed by South Korea (885,000) and Taiwan (218,000).

The U.S. ranked fourth with 180,000 visitors, while Japan placed fifth with 147,000.

Rounding out the top 10 were Cambodia (142,000), Australia (104,817), Malaysia (102,000), India (92,000), and Russia (79,000).

Thailand recorded a 5.9% increase in foreign tourist arrivals from Jan. 1 to March 2, reaching seven million visitors, according to Bangkok Post.

Vietnam aims to attract 23 million foreign visitors this year, a nearly 30% increase from the previous year.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed relevant ministries to consider exempting visas for tourists from some countries and global billionaires as part of efforts to spur tourism recovery.