Vietnam's tourism industry welcomes its 20 millionth international visitor to Phu Quoc.

According to information from the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, it is expected that in mid-December 2025, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will coordinate with the People's Committee of An Giang province to organize a ceremony to welcome the 20 millionth international tourist at Phu Quoc International Airport. The event will be chaired by the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, with the An Giang Provincial Department of Tourism and related units coordinating its implementation. This is a historically significant event for the Vietnamese tourism industry in general and for Phu Quoc island in particular.

The sea area south of Phu Quoc Island. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN

The program includes a special welcome for passengers on the flight carrying the 20 millionth international visitor, along with a ceremony honoring three outstanding international tourists (the 19,999,999th, 20,000,000th, and 20,000,001st visitors). These tourists will be presented with gifts reflecting the unique character of Phu Quoc, showcasing the appreciation and hospitality of Vietnamese tourism .

The choice of Phu Quoc as the venue for the event holds profound symbolic significance, because Phu Quoc is not only a representative destination for the renewed vitality of Vietnamese tourism, but also possesses a modern resort tourism ecosystem harmoniously integrated with its unique natural landscape, thus creating a remarkable mark for this memorable moment in Vietnam's tourism industry.

According to statistics, in the first 11 months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed approximately 19 million international visitors, a 20.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The Vietnam National Tourism Administration believes that with stable growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the continued positive recovery of international tourism demand, reaching the 20 million international visitor mark by mid-December 2025 is feasible and has a solid foundation. This marks the first time in 65 years of its formation and development that Vietnam's tourism industry has reached 20 million international visitors in a single year, signifying a new milestone in Vietnam's tourism recovery and growth.

This result clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the decisive and consistent leadership of the Government and the Prime Minister in implementing tasks and solutions to promote tourism recovery and development; linked with improving visa policies, expanding the international tourist market, strengthening promotion and marketing, and enhancing the quality of tourism products and services. These correct and synchronized policies have contributed to consolidating Vietnam's position as a safe, attractive, and increasingly competitive destination in the region and the world .

The milestone of welcoming 20 million international visitors holds special significance for Vietnam's tourism industry, marking a clear transformation in both scale and position on the world tourism map. This impressive number affirms Vietnam's increasingly strong appeal as a leading destination in the region, attracting tourists with its unique cultural identity, beautiful nature, rich cuisine , and diverse, emotionally enriching experiences.

This also serves as vivid evidence of the strong recovery of the international tourism market after the pandemic, showing that Vietnam is effectively keeping pace with the global recovery trend. The stable growth and increasingly high rate of returning tourists reflect the sustainable development of the industry, while affirming the adaptability and competitiveness of Vietnamese tourism in the new era.

More importantly, the milestone of 20 million international visitors reflects the growing confidence of international tourists in Vietnam, a safe, friendly, and experience-rich destination where beauty is perceived not only through tangible landscapes but also through the depth of culture, people, and emotions. Building on this foundation, Vietnam's tourism industry has further impetus and room to aim for 35 million international visitors by 2030, contributing to making tourism a truly key economic sector and elevating the national brand on the international stage.

Phu Quoc, the largest island in Vietnam, holds a strategic position in the Mekong Delta region and serves as an important trade hub within ASEAN. With its advantageous geographical location, diverse natural conditions, and unique cultural values, Phu Quoc is emerging as a leading tourist destination, aiming for green and sustainable tourism development.

The island boasts a rich marine, island, and forest ecosystem with a coastline of approximately 150 km, Phu Quoc National Park covering over 29,600 hectares, and a Marine Protected Area of ​​over 40,900 hectares, creating a favorable foundation for ecotourism, relaxation, and nature experiences. In addition, it possesses distinctive cultural values ​​such as the traditional fish sauce production, the Nghinh Ong Festival, and the Phu Quoc Prison National Historical Site, contributing to the enrichment of its identity and tourism products.

Phu Quoc has been comprehensively developed with infrastructure including an international airport, An Thoi marina, and a transportation system connecting key areas. The island currently boasts nearly 500 accommodation establishments with over 27,000 rooms, numerous high-end resorts with international brands, and more than 100 active travel agencies. Coupled with a 30-day visa exemption policy for international visitors, Phu Quoc is increasingly asserting its position as a high-quality eco-tourism and resort center with strong competitiveness in the region and globally.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/du-lich/du-lich-viet-nam-chao-don-vi-khach-du-lich-quoc-te-thu-20-trieu-tai-phu-quoc-20251213132521978.htm