Vietnam is on track to welcome a record 21 million foreign tourists this year, underscoring a strong rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic despite ongoing environmental challenges. The tourism surge highlights Vietnam’s growing appeal as one of Southeast Asia’s top travel destinations, known for its long coastline, natural scenery, and rich cultural heritage.
The milestone comes after years of disruption caused by strict pandemic-era travel restrictions that sharply reduced international arrivals.
Record-Breaking Tourism Recovery
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Vietnam officially marked its 20 millionth foreign visitor of the year on Monday, celebrating the occasion with a ceremony on Phu Quoc Island. The total number of arrivals is expected to reach 21 million by year-end, surpassing the previous pre-pandemic record of 18 million visitors set in 2019.
Compared with last year, foreign arrivals are up 19.3%, reflecting sustained momentum as international travel normalises and Vietnam continues to ease entry requirements and promote tourism.
Environmental Challenges
The record tourism numbers come despite mounting environmental concerns. Hanoi has repeatedly ranked among the world’s most polluted cities this year, raising health and quality-of-life concerns for residents and visitors alike. At the same time, major tourist destinations such as Hue, Hoi An and the coastal city of Nha Trang have been hit by heavy flooding, disrupting travel and highlighting Vietnam’s vulnerability to extreme weather.
These issues have not yet deterred visitors in large numbers, but they pose longer-term risks to sustainable tourism growth.
Key Source Markets
China has emerged as Vietnam’s largest source of foreign tourists in the first 11 months of the year, accounting for about one-quarter of total arrivals, according to the National Statistics Office. Other major contributors include South Korea, Taiwan, the United States and Japan, reflecting Vietnam’s broad appeal across Asia and beyond.
From Collapse to Comeback
Vietnam’s tourism sector has staged a dramatic turnaround since the pandemic. In 2021, at the height of COVID-19 restrictions, the country recorded fewer than 160,000 foreign arrivals, the lowest figure in recent history.
The current record-breaking year signals not only recovery but expansion, positioning tourism once again as a key driver of Vietnam’s economy, even as authorities grapple with pollution, climate risks and infrastructure pressures.
With information from Reuters.
