Vietnam's tourism industry welcomes its 20 millionth international tourist.

On the afternoon of December 15, 2025, at Phu Quoc International Airport, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the People's Committee of An Giang province, solemnly organized the ceremony to welcome the 20 millionth international tourist to Vietnam.

On the afternoon of December 15, 2025, at Phu Quoc International Airport, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, in coordination with the People's Committee of An Giang province and local businesses, solemnly organized a ceremony to welcome the 20 millionth international tourist to Vietnam.

This is a historic milestone, the first of its kind recorded in the 65-year history of Vietnam's tourism industry.

Deputy Minister Ho An Phong and other delegates welcome tourists to Vietnam.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong affirmed that this milestone is even more significant as it was achieved in the context of global tourism having just gone through an unprecedented difficult period due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since Vietnam fully reopened its tourism activities on March 15, 2022, the tourism industry has recovered and grown continuously: in 2023, it welcomed 12.6 million international visitors; in 2024, it reached 17.6 million; and in 2025, it is expected to welcome over 21 million visitors, far exceeding the 18 million visitors of 2019 – the period before the pandemic.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that these impressive results were achieved thanks to the decisive and consistent attention and direction of the Party, State, Government and Prime Minister ; the close coordination of ministries, sectors and localities; the support of the business community; the backing of press and media agencies; and especially the friendliness and hospitality of the Vietnamese people – the core element that creates positive experiences and leaves a lasting impression on international tourists.

The recent breakthrough in Vietnam's tourism industry has been driven by innovative policies from the Party, the State, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The recent breakthrough in Vietnam's tourism industry has been driven by innovative visa policies, including expanding visa exemptions, implementing e-visas, and extending the length of stay; expanding air connections with key markets; significantly modernizing promotion and marketing efforts, applying technology, and strengthening public-private partnerships; along with product diversification, improved service quality, and enhanced state management effectiveness, gradually building a professional, healthy, and attractive tourism environment.

"The milestone of 20 million international visitors is not the end point, but the beginning of a new phase of development. Vietnam's tourism industry will continue to innovate, improve product quality, promote digital transformation, and develop sustainable tourism, aiming to make tourism a truly leading economic sector by 2030, contributing increasingly to the socio-economic development of the country," Deputy Minister Ho An Phong expressed.

Deputy Minister Ho An Phong presents a gift to the 20 millionth visitor.

The welcoming ceremony was held in a solemn manner with rituals to greet the delegation at the aircraft, presenting flowers, showcasing traditional art, and announcing and presenting certificates and souvenirs to three special guests: the 19,999,999th, 20,000,000th, and 20,000,001st guests, with the sponsorship of Sun Group and Ngoc Hien Pearl.

The gifts for the 20 millionth visitor are worth nearly 500 million VND, including a high-end pearl necklace worth 200 million VND; a complete package of round-trip business class air tickets on Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a stay at a 5-star hotel, a Michelin culinary experience voucher, golf, a cruise to explore the southern part of Phu Quoc Island, and a priority card for using entertainment services within the Sun Group ecosystem, worth up to 300 million VND.

The 19,999,999th and 20,000,001st visitors also received gifts worth over 200 million VND each, including high-quality pearls and vouchers for products and services within the Sun Group system.

Deputy Minister Ho An Phong presents gifts to the 19,999,999th and 20,000,001st guests.

Deeply moved upon receiving special gifts bearing the distinctive mark of the pearl island, Karolina Agnieszka Muskus from Poland, the 20 millionth visitor, shared: “Right now, I am truly moved to tears. I feel so lucky to be here and have the opportunity to come to Vietnam. Your country is so beautiful. The people are friendly, warm, and open. I want to say: 'I love Vietnam' and 'Hello Vietnam'. This is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life. This is my first time in Vietnam, but it certainly won't be my last. I will recommend all my friends and relatives in Poland to visit this wonderful country.”

Since Vietnam fully reopened to international tourism on March 15, 2022, the number of international visitors has continuously grown strongly: in 2025, it is expected to reach approximately 21 million, far exceeding the 18 million of 2019 – the period before the pandemic. With a growth rate of 21%, Vietnam's tourism is considered among the fastest-growing countries in the world, while the global tourism average is only 5%. The welcoming ceremony will be held at two main points in the airport area, at the foot of the aircraft and in the airport lobby, with many meaningful activities that are both symbolic and practical. All passengers will be welcomed at the foot of the aircraft with bouquets of fresh flowers and one ticket to see the Kiss of the Sea show in Sunset Town (Phu Quoc).

The international guests expressed their delight at receiving the unexpected gift.

The 19,999,999th, 20,000,001st, and especially the 20,000,000th passenger will receive many valuable surprise gifts from our partners, Sun Group and Ngoc Hien Pearl, along with a Certificate from the Organizing Committee to commemorate this meaningful moment and event.

Looking back at history, from 10 million international visitors in 2016 to 20 million in 2025, Vietnam's tourism industry has doubled in size in less than a decade, demonstrating a growth rate rarely seen in the region. During the same period, Thailand only grew by about 19% and Singapore by about 8% (despite having a larger visitor base). This shows that Vietnam is shifting from the status of an "emerging destination" to a new regional tourism hub, with outstanding growth rates and clear potential for expanding its international market. With the current growth momentum, coupled with open visa policies, expanded air connectivity, and strong investment in tourism infrastructure, Vietnam is projected to continue maintaining its position as one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in Asia and the world in the medium and long term.

For nearly a decade, significant milestones in Vietnam's tourism history have been chosen to be marked in Phu Quoc, demonstrating the island's special role in the development of Vietnamese tourism.

Phu Quoc has emerged as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the country, playing a pioneering role and acting as a key driver for the international tourist market. The pilot program of visa exemption for all international tourists, allowing stays of up to 30 days, has created a clear competitive advantage for the island compared to many other destinations in the region, while also contributing to attracting longer-staying, high-spending international tourists.

Alongside these policies, the tourism ecosystem in Phu Quoc has been continuously and rapidly invested in and expanded, with a diverse range of accommodation facilities, numerous high-end resorts, large-scale entertainment complexes, and unique tourism products bearing its own distinctive mark. Phu Quoc's status as one of the few destinations in the world to host international shows and nightly fireworks displays has further solidified its image as a dynamic, modern, and uniquely attractive destination.

In recent years, Phu Quoc has consistently been honored by prestigious international organizations and media outlets, thereby contributing to enhancing the image and brand of Vietnamese tourism on the global tourism map. Particularly, with its selection as the venue for APEC 2027, Phu Quoc is entering a new phase of development, with a comprehensively upgraded transportation, urban, and service infrastructure, from the international airport and An Thoi marina to strategic transportation routes and large-scale convention and exhibition centers.

The milestone of 20 million international tourists visiting Phu Quoc therefore carries profound symbolic significance. This is not only a source of pride for the Pearl Island, but also represents a rapidly growing destination, a pioneer in innovation, reflecting a dynamic, open Vietnam ready to integrate deeply with the world, aiming to make tourism a truly leading economic sector in the new development phase.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/du-lich-viet-nam-don-khach-du-lich-quoc-te-thu-20-trieu-20251215164023428.htm