Attracting international tourists will set a new record

Vietnam's tourism industry has seen strong growth in the first quarter of the year and has the potential to welcome record numbers of visitors in 2025.

Speaking at the workshop "Which tourists should Vietnam exempt from visas?" organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper this morning (April 24), Dr. Dinh The Hien - Director of the Institute of Informatics and Applied Economics - commented that Vietnam's tourism industry is not affected by the current trade tensions.

Vietnam's economic picture in the first quarter of 2025 is proceeding according to the plan and targets set by the Government . Specifically, GDP growth reached 6.93%, the highest quarterly growth in the past 5 years; import and export continued to grow as exports reached 103 billion USD, up 11% and imports reached 100 billion USD, up 17%. Attracting and disbursing foreign investment capital (FDI) is also positive when newly registered capital increased by 35% over the same period last year. Notably, inflation is completely controlled when the CPI in the first quarter of 2025 increased by 3.22%, allowing the Government to have room to both control inflation well and still facilitate capital injection into the economy.

Dr. Dinh The Hien spoke at the workshop organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper on the morning of April 24.

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

However, new difficulties have emerged from the US-China trade war. This difficulty is not unique to Vietnam but is occurring globally. The government still maintains the GDP growth target this year at 8%. This is not the first time Vietnam has faced instability from the world . But in the immediate future, businesses and the economy must restructure exports, imports and production activities.

Dr. Dinh The Hien commented that in the short term, specifically in the second quarter of 2025, consumption will be limited, due to people's fear, causing difficulties for businesses. Vietnam is facing 3 problems: US tariffs; increasing trade protectionism; geopolitical instability will slow down economic growth.

Foreign investment capital will continue to have a net withdrawal trend from the Asian market, including Vietnam. However, he believes that by the fourth quarter of 2025 and into 2026, foreign capital will return to Vietnam.

Although there are difficulties in the short term, in the medium term from 2026 - 2027, Vietnam's economy will continue to grow based on internal factors such as the improvement of domestic consumption demand and the acceleration of the urbanization process; Streamlining processes, regulations and developing private enterprises; proactively adjusting production and business architecture to suit the world economic environment with the US and other countries; FDI capital flows will continue to increase, especially in the fields of consumer electronics and post-structural technology.

What impact does visa policy have on tourist decisions?

As for Vietnam tourism, it will not be affected by the trade war in 2025 while demand remains high. In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam welcomed more than 6 million foreign visitors, the highest number in years. This could completely make Vietnam's tourism industry set a record for welcoming international visitors this year.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thu-hut-du-khach-quoc-te-se-lap-ki-luc-moi-185250424091345258.htm