Welcoming 2.5 million international visitors in January 2026: A strong sign of tourism growth at the beginning of the year.

With 2.5 million international visitors, Vietnam's tourism sector is showing positive signs in the first few months of 2026.

In January 2026, Vietnam's tourism sector welcomed nearly 2.5 million international visitors, an 18.5% increase compared to the same period last year – an unprecedented achievement, ushering in a new phase of tourism development. This figure not only marks a new record but also demonstrates market confidence and the strong appeal of Vietnamese tourism on the global tourism map.

International visitors to Vietnam in May 2025 and January 2026 (thousand arrivals)

On a regional level, the Asian market continues to be the mainstay with approximately 1.8 million visitors, accounting for over 73% of the total. South Korea leads with nearly 490,000 visitors, an increase of about 26% compared to the previous month and over 17% year-on-year. China ranks second, although down compared to the same period last year, but still has a very large number of visitors, reaching nearly 460,000. Japan saw strong growth of 41% compared to the previous month and 16.9% year-on-year, indicating a recovery in the high-spending segment.

In Southeast Asia, many markets achieved high growth rates, such as the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand; notably, Cambodia saw an increase of over three times compared to the previous month and the same period last year. The Indian market impressed with nearly 88,000 visitors, an increase of over 80% compared to the same period in 2015.

Europe emerged as a bright spot with approximately 424,000 visits, an increase of over 35% compared to the previous month and nearly 60% year-on-year. Russia, the UK, France, and Germany all saw double-digit increases; Russia and Poland, in particular, experienced very high growth rates.

The Americas market reached approximately 137,000 visitors, a 23% increase from the previous month and a 14.2% increase year-on-year. The United States continued to be a significant source of visitors, with a 12% year-on-year increase. Australia also saw strong growth with over 81,000 visitors.

According to assessments, this result is not accidental but a combination of factors such as favorable visa policies, enhanced international air connectivity, a stable and safe destination environment. Along with that, a series of promotional activities have been intensified, and tourism products are becoming increasingly diverse.

Notably, the structure of international visitors' arrival methods also shows a clear recovery trend in connectivity infrastructure. Air travel continues to play a dominant role, accounting for nearly 80% of the total number of visitors, while arrivals by land have almost doubled compared to the same period, reflecting the vibrancy of visitors from neighboring countries and ASEAN.

Air travel continues to be the primary channel, accounting for the majority (nearly 80%) of international visitors to Vietnam – reflecting the recovery and expansion of international flight routes in recent times.

Returning to Vietnam, assessments indicate that the nearly 2.5 million international visitors in the first month of 2026 is a result of several factors. Firstly, Vietnam's increasingly liberal visa policy has significantly contributed to attracting tourists. The expansion of visa exemptions, extended stay periods, the implementation of multiple-entry electronic visas, and the expansion of border crossings have made Vietnam more accessible to international visitors.

Furthermore, international air travel has been enhanced with a series of new routes, facilitating travel from traditional markets to emerging markets. Alongside this, the stable socio -political environment and security, building Vietnam's image as a safe and friendly destination, continue to be a significant advantage.

A series of tourism promotion campaigns have also been revamped, reducing duplication and becoming more synchronized. Promotional campaigns in key and potential markets, Vietnam's participation in major international tourism fairs, and the strengthening of multi-channel promotion have raised awareness and interest among tourists in Vietnam.

Simultaneously, tourism products have become increasingly diverse, ranging from beach and island tourism, cultural tourism, nature tourism, urban tourism to new types such as MICE, agricultural tourism , golf tourism, health and wellness tourism, rail tourism, etc., helping Vietnam attract many different segments of tourists.

With a record 2.5 million international visitors in the first month of the year, this is seen as a signal marking the beginning of a new growth cycle for Vietnamese tourism amidst fierce competition. This achievement requires decisive leadership from the Government, close coordination among ministries, localities, and the business community.

From a state of "recovery" after the pandemic, Vietnam's tourism industry is gradually shifting towards "growth and competitiveness". With positive growth momentum from the beginning of the year, Vietnam's tourism industry is expected to continue maintaining a high growth rate. As a result, Vietnam's tourism industry is expected to make an increasingly important contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/don-25-trieu-luot-khach-quoc-te-trong-thang-1-2026-tin-hieu-tang-truong-manh-cua-du-lich-ngay-dau-nam-20260206203400418.htm