A historic opportunity for the tourism industry.

By 2025, the tourism industry aims to welcome 22-23 million international visitors and serve 120-130 million domestic tourists.

Total revenue is expected to reach approximately 980 - 1,050 trillion VND.

The extended Lunar New Year holiday, coupled with favorable weather conditions, created a vibrant tourism environment across all destinations. Domestic tourists alone reached approximately 12.5 million arrivals, a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Impressive numbers

During the 9-day Tet holiday, Hanoi estimated it welcomed approximately 1 million tourists, a 6% increase compared to the same period last year. Of these, 142,000 were international visitors, a 15.8% increase, while 859,000 were domestic tourists, a 5% increase. Total revenue from tourism is estimated at 3,530 billion VND, a 7.85% increase compared to the same period last year.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the number of international visitors during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday in 2025 is estimated at 87,358, an increase of 16.5% compared to the same period last year. The number of visitors to tourist areas, attractions, entertainment venues, and service establishments is estimated at 2.1 million, an increase of 16.7%. Tourism revenue for the city during the 9-day Tet holiday is estimated at 7,690 billion VND, an increase of 17.4%.

Tourists visit Phu Quoc night market during the Lunar New Year of the Snake 2025. Photo: DUY NHAN

Meanwhile, Ninh Binh province's tourism industry welcomed over 700,000 visitors – a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2024, with total revenue reaching nearly 1,000 billion VND – an increase of nearly 20%.

Airports, seaports, and tourist areas in Da Nang City welcomed a huge number of visitors during the Tet holiday. From the 26th day of the 12th lunar month to the 5th day of Tet, the city received 1,275 flights, a 58% increase compared to the same period last year. Tien Sa Port received two cruise ships, bringing 1,800 tourists from the US and UK to Da Nang. The number of locals and tourists participating in the Han River cruise was also quite high, estimated at 23,200.

Statistics show that the total number of tourists visiting Da Nang during Tet is estimated at over 469,000, an increase of 16.7% compared to the Tet holiday in 2024.

Kien Giang province, especially Phu Quoc island, also welcomed a record number of tourists during Tet. Mr. Bui Quoc Thai, Director of the Kien Giang Provincial Department of Tourism, said that the total number of visitors to the province during this period was estimated at 471,191, an increase of 19.9% ​​compared to the same period last year. Total tourism revenue for the province reached 1,886.3 billion VND, an increase of 49.5% compared to the same period last year.

Phu Quoc City alone welcomed 281,659 visitors, a 47% increase compared to the same period last year. Of these, 74,833 were international visitors, a 44% increase.

Thoughtful, innovative, and a big win.

Explaining the record number of visitors this year, the Director of the National Tourism Administration, Nguyen Trung Khanh, said that most destinations had renovated and decorated their landscapes, and introduced many new tourism products to attract visitors. Some localities coordinated with airlines and travel businesses to organize welcoming ceremonies for the first visitors of the new year, creating excitement for tourists on the first day of the new year. With thorough preparation, many destinations attracted a large number of visitors during the Tet holiday.

Trang An (Ninh Binh) was packed with tourists on February 2nd (the 5th day of the Lunar New Year). Photo: THANH TUAN

In addition, travel agencies such as Hanoitourist, Saigontourist, Vietravel, Viet Travel, BenThanh Tourist, etc., have also developed many new tour programs both domestically and internationally with attractive promotional offers, focusing on highlighting regional advantages, developing linkages according to the "one route, many destinations" orientation, and diversifying services.

Tourist accommodation establishments have proactively renovated and prepared facilities and personnel to serve tourists during the Tet holiday; they continue to coordinate with travel agencies and airlines to develop all-inclusive promotional packages. Traditional Tet celebrations are creatively and innovatively presented, offering guests a joyful and novel experience.

During the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake (2025), Hanoi hosted numerous vibrant and attractive events, drawing tourists to visit and experience them. First and foremost were the fireworks displays and art performances celebrating the New Year. Following this were many activities and events that lasted throughout the Tet holiday, allowing visitors to the capital to experience the traditional Tet atmosphere of the Northern Delta region, such as: the "Vietnamese Village Tet 2025" program at Mong Phu communal house – an ancient village tourist destination in Duong Lam (Son Tay town); the Tet celebration program at the Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village (Dong Mo, Son Tay town); and the "Vietnamese Tet - Street Tet 2025" program in the Old Quarter…

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism believes the city will continue to have a bountiful Tet holiday season thanks to early preparation of products and services to meet the entertainment needs of residents and tourists. Many businesses have launched new tourism products with competitive prices and many preferential policies… Travel companies have introduced many new, diverse, and attractive tourism products, helping people explore and experience Tet right at home, and giving tourists more choices, increasing spending and length of stay.

In 2024, Ninh Binh welcomed over 8.7 million visitors, generating revenue exceeding 9,000 billion VND. "In 2025, after reviewing and evaluating the domestic and international markets, we see a very good recovery and growth in visitor numbers during the Lunar New Year. Especially with the relaxation of visa requirements for Vietnam, there has been a surge in international visitors," said Mr. Bui Van Manh, Director of the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Tourism.

To continue the growth momentum, the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Tourism has sent a document to tourism associations and destinations requesting thorough preparation in terms of infrastructure, environmental sanitation, human resources, and the renewal of tourism products. "This Tet holiday, many tourist destinations have organized traditional Tet spaces and traditional Tet markets to create a novel experience for tourists, especially international tourists traveling during Tet, so they can learn about and explore the ancient capital of Hoa Lu," Mr. Manh shared.

Set a breakthrough goal.

Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, predicted that 2025 will be a breakthrough year for Ho Chi Minh City's tourism with new, rich, and diverse tourism products, ranging from cultural tourism to exploratory and relaxing tourism activities.

This year, Ho Chi Minh City's tourism industry aims to welcome approximately 45 million domestic tourists, 8.5 million international tourists, and achieve total tourism revenue of an estimated 260,000 billion VND.

In order to extend the length of stay and enhance the experience for tourists, Ho Chi Minh City has put into operation many infrastructure projects such as river bus routes, the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line, and riverside cultural parks; while also improving the quality of services for tourism programs.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, Dang Huong Giang, said that to boost tourism activities from the beginning of the year, the Department of Tourism will coordinate with the People's Committee of Hai Ba Trung district to organize the "Hanoi Tourism Welcomes 2025" program at the Hai Ba Trung Temple, Pagoda, and Communal House national special historical site and the "Friendly Spring Trip 2025" program in Me Linh district. These are two promotional and tourism stimulus activities that will kick off the capital's tourism industry in 2025.

Improving tourism infrastructure

Speaking about the direction for further development of the tourism industry in 2025, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung emphasized the need to renew the growth drivers of the industry.

Firstly, it is essential to maintain strong relationships with traditional customers and markets. Secondly, it is crucial to thoroughly analyze potential markets and develop new product lines. Thirdly, a strong focus on tourism promotion and marketing is necessary, especially on ensuring that international friends understand the new policies and strategies.

"In addition, tourism infrastructure is being developed to gradually improve and enhance the quality of services," Minister Nguyen Van Hung noted.

HLAnh

There is great potential to meet new trends.

Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, believes that the tourism industry is facing historic opportunities.

First and foremost, this opportunity stems from the growing interest of both the political system and society as a whole in the driving role of tourism in the economy. Furthermore, the international tourist market still has significant growth potential, given the existing favorable visa and immigration policies.

In particular, Vietnam has great potential to meet new global tourism trends: sustainable tourism, responsible for the environment and society; a shift from "sightseeing" to "experiential" tourism; health and wellness tourism; multi-generational family tourism, etc.

"These trends will open up a sustainable development path for Vietnamese tourism, effectively exploiting existing potential while better meeting the needs of tourists in the context of strong globalization and digitalization," Mr. Ha Van Sieu emphasized.

Y.Anh

Source: https://nld.com.vn/co-hoi-lich-su-cua-nganh-du-lich-19625020321433861.htm