According to data from the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), in May 2026, there were about 2.34 million Korean citizens leaving the country for tourism purposes. In which, Japan continues to lead with about 951,000 visitors, accounting for 40.6% of the total number of visitors.
Vietnam ranked second with about 278,000 visitors, nearly 3 times higher than the US (100,000 visitors) and far exceeding other popular destinations such as Taiwan (China) with 79,000 visitors, Thailand 64,000 visitors, Philippines 61,000 visitors and Hong Kong (China) 59,000 visitors.
Vietnam maintaining its second position shows the increasing attractiveness of this destination to Korean tourists. For many years, Korea has always been in the group of the most important international tourist markets for Vietnamese tourism, and Vietnam has also become a familiar choice for Koreans for short vacations and family tourism.
The destinations favored by Korean tourists are mainly localities with advantages in islands and resorts such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Mui Ne - Phan Thiet. Besides natural landscapes, diverse resort systems, developed tourism services and rich cuisine are also factors contributing to retaining tourists.
In addition, recently, many Korean singers, actors and celebrities have chosen Vietnam as a resort or entertainment program filming location. Images shared on social networks have contributed to promoting the image of Vietnamese tourism to the Korean public, creating a positive effect on tourism demand.
The main factors helping Vietnam become an attractive destination for Korean tourists include geographical distance advantages, reasonable travel costs and an increasingly expanded air route system. Currently, many airlines are operating direct routes connecting major cities of Korea with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, facilitating travel.
With these advantages, Vietnam is forecast to continue to maintain its position in the group of top destinations for Korean tourists in the coming time. This is also a positive sign for Vietnam's tourism industry in its efforts to attract international visitors and diversify markets.
