Outstanding results come from the synchronous efforts of the entire tourism industry, from directing, operating, restructuring the tourist market, orienting product development to innovating promotion and advertising activities and especially the implementation of visa policies in an increasingly open direction.
Impressive growth milestone
2025 marked a breakthrough growth in Vietnamese tourism when it welcomed over 21.5 million international visitors for the first time, with total revenue from tourism estimated at over one million billion VND.
Placed in a regional perspective, Vietnam's position is increasingly enhanced.
Thailand - the leading destination in Southeast Asia - has welcomed about 31.7 million international visitors as of December 21, 2025. Malaysia has recorded more than 28 million visitors by the end of August 2025, and is forecast to complete the target of 31.4 million visitors for the whole year 2025.
Singapore in the period from January to the end of October 2025 welcomed 14.3 million international visitors, with forecasts for the whole year to reach about 17-18.5 million visitors - not exceeding the 19.1 million visitors mark in its golden age of 2019. While Cambodia welcomed about 5.17 million international visitors in the first 11 months of the year.
In that context, Vietnam's welcome of more than 21.5 million international visitors in 2025 shows that the market size has far exceeded some destinations in the region. At the same time, gradually narrowing the gap with major tourist centers such as Thailand and Malaysia, affirming the increasingly important role of Vietnamese tourism on the Southeast Asian tourism map.
Tourism revenue increased by 19% compared to 2024, showing that the industry has fully recovered not only in terms of visitor scale but also in terms of quality and economic efficiency.
Tourism is increasingly seen as a "growth path", creating a strong spread to the fields of trade, transportation, accommodation, cuisine, culture and creative industry.
In many key localities, both the number of visitors and total revenue from tourism recorded a high increase.
Ho Chi Minh City is estimated to achieve revenue from tourism of 260,000 billion VND, an increase of 36.1%. The city welcomed more than 53.5 million tourists, of which international visitors are estimated to reach 8.5 million and an increase of nearly 40% compared to the same period in 2024.
Revenue from tourism in Hanoi reached about 134.46 trillion VND, an increase of 21.5%. The capital welcomed 33.7 million visitors, an increase of 21% compared to 2024. In which, international visitors are estimated at 7.8 million, an increase of 23% compared to the same period.
An Giang increased by 92%, reaching nearly 67.94 trillion VND; with 24.1 million visitors.
Khanh Hoa achieved revenue from tourism increasing by 18.4%, reaching more than 62.58 trillion VND.
Da Nang overcoming storms and floods recorded a total number of overnight visitors estimated at more than 17.3 million, an increase of 15% compared to 2024. International visitors reached more than 7.6 million, total tourism revenue is estimated at 60,000 billion VND, an increase of 25% and 21% respectively compared to the same period.
Many other localities such as Quang Ninh, Lam Dong, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Tri also recorded positive results.
Lever to attract tourists
In 2025, the Government issued many important resolutions to improve visa policies, creating a foundation to improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese tourism in the region. Vietnam currently unilaterally exempts visas for citizens of 24 countries, while allowing international visitors to stay longer, including many important source markets such as Japan, Korea, Russia, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Hungary, Netherlands, Switzerland.
In addition, Vietnam has deployed electronic visas for citizens of all countries and territories, expanded visa exemption subjects, and extended residence periods.
According to Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, this is a breakthrough policy, playing a leverage role in attracting international visitors to Vietnam.
Open visa policy, combined with opening new and increasing the frequency of direct flights, completing tourism infrastructure, ensuring security and safety for tourists, has created an important driving force to help the tourism industry achieve impressive results in 2025.
The spread of tourism is clearly shown through the vibrant atmosphere at destinations, airports, and a series of cultural and tourism events taking place continuously across the country. Many localities have implemented the 2025 tourism development stimulus program with the message "Vietnam - Go to love", focusing on improving service quality, diversifying products, and ensuring a civilized and safe tourism environment.
In parallel, promotion and advertising activities are implemented in a focused and key direction, innovating in content and form, strengthening coordination between ministries, sectors, localities, the Tourism Development Support Fund and the business community.
Breakthrough in the new era
By the end of 2025, Vietnam is estimated to welcome about 21.5 million international visitors and 135.5 million domestic visitors, exceeding more than 10% compared to 2019. Total tourism revenue reached about one million billion VND, an increase of 22.1% compared to the same period last year.
In the context that world tourism has only recovered about 90% compared to before the pandemic, Vietnam has recovered over 110%, becoming a prominent bright spot of socio-economy.
In particular, the event of welcoming the 20 millionth international visitor at Phu Quoc International Airport on December 15 is considered a milestone opening a new stage of development for Vietnamese tourism.
Recalling the impressive growth results, Director Nguyen Trung Khanh affirmed that this is an important result, marking a new step in the 65-year journey of formation and development of Vietnam's tourism industry.
Stepping into 2026, the tourism industry aims to welcome 25 million international visitors, serve 150 million domestic visitors, and total revenue reach about 1.125 million billion VND. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism will coordinate with localities and businesses to review the potential and strengths of localities after the merger, develop plans and develop products suitable to the new context.
