According to a report released on Jan. 6 by the General Statistic Office of Vietnam, 5.3 million people traveled abroad during the year, 6% more than in 2023. Based on data from the national tourism administrations in the three countries, one million people visited Thailand in the first 11 months, 600,000 went to Japan and 510,000 traveled to South Korea.
Some 32% of all outbound Vietnamese travelers went to those countries.
Statistics from the Japanese National Tourism Organization in Vietnam show that Vietnamese were ninth in the list of number of tourists from various countries to Japan in the first 10 months of 2024.
They also ranked in the top 10 in South Korea.
While Thailand has not released figures, tourism experts estimated that Vietnamese visitors would not have made the top 10.
The reduced number of flights between the two countries is said to be the main reason.
However, the numbers are expected to rise in 2025 since airlines plan to increase flights.
Other destinations in Asia also saw a substantial rise in Vietnamese traveler numbers, especially Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.
While figures for mainland China are unavailable, tourism industry executives said China was one of the hottest destinations for Vietnamese in 2024, with tour bookings rising by 30% from the previous year.
Vietnamese tourists traveling to Thailand to cheer for the Vietnamese national football team at the 2024 ASEAN Cup final on Jan. 5, 2025. Photo courtesy of Trang An Travel |
Vietluxtour's marketing director, Tran Thi Bao Thu, said for her company too tours to the top destinations were the best-sellers.
"These destinations frequently make over their itineraries, carry out regular promotions in Vietnam and offer competitive prices," she said to explain their appeal.
Low prices are also a major advantage, encouraging repeat visits.
The number of Vietnamese traveling to Southeast and Northeast Asia increased by 30% from 2023.
"Thailand was the first country I visited, and now I return every year," Nguyen Le Bao Anh, 34, who has traveled to that country more than a dozen times, said.
"Affordability, travel convenience, visa-free access, and the constant offering of new experiences" are the main reasons for her fascination with Thailand, she added.
Europe and the Americas were also popular destinations for Vietnamese.
Tours such as Switzerland-Italy-France-Germany-Netherlands and the U.S. East and West Coast are particular favorites.
At Vietluxtour, bookings for these tours increased by 25% in 2024 though the numbers cannot match those traveling to destinations like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, and Korea due to the costs, which range from VND70 to 80 million (US$2,760-3,150), and longer duration.