In the first 8 months of the year, Vietnam welcomed more than 7.8 million international visitors and achieved nearly 98% of the annual target of 8 million.
Western tourists celebrate Tet 2023 at Ta Hien Street, Hanoi . Photo: Ngoc Thanh
According to the General Statistics Office released today, international arrivals to Vietnam in the first 8 months of the year reached more than 7.8 million, 5.4 times higher than the same period last year and equal to 69% of the number before the pandemic. However, Vietnam has almost completed its target of welcoming 8 million international visitors this year.
South Korea remained the largest source market for visitors in the first eight months of the year, with 2.2 million arrivals, accounting for nearly 30 percent of total arrivals. Mainland China ranked second with 950,000 arrivals, and the United States third with 503,000 arrivals.
Among the top 10 markets sending customers to Vietnam, Northeast Asia has 4 markets: Korea, mainland China, Taiwan (498,000), Japan (349,000). Southeast Asia has 3 markets: Thailand (321,000), Malaysia (293,000), Cambodia (256,000). Australia ranks 9th (252,000) and India ranks 10th (247,000).
In the European market, the UK (170,500 arrivals), France (142,000 arrivals), Germany (128,000 arrivals) are the countries with the most visitors to Vietnam. The Russian market reached nearly 80,000 arrivals in the first 8 months of the year.
Chart of international visitors in the first 8 months of the year (thousand arrivals). Photo: National Tourism Administration
In August alone, Vietnam welcomed more than 1.2 million visitors, an increase of 17.2% compared to the previous month and 2.5 times higher than the same period last year and 80% higher than in 2019. August this year also recorded the highest number of international visitors to Vietnam since opening.
The main growth drivers this month came from major markets including South Korea (up nearly 35% compared to July), China (up nearly 18%), and Japan (up 53%). The remaining Southeast Asian markets such as Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines "increased positively," according to the National Tourism Administration. In Europe, the three markets that grew, the UK, France, and Germany, all grew from 27 to 46% compared to the previous month. Some smaller markets with breakthrough growth were Spain (up 156%), Italy (up 155.8%), and Russia (13%). These are all countries on the list of countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption policies with temporary stays of up to 45 days under Resolution 128/NQ-CP, effective from August 15, 2023.
Top 10 markets sending customers in the first 8 months of 2023 (thousand arrivals). Photo: National Tourism Administration
According to Outbox, a tourism market research company, Vietnam is on track to meet its 2023 target with the highest completion rate in the region. However, the tourism industry's international visitor target of 8 million is the lowest among the top popular destinations in Southeast Asia such as Thailand (30 million), Malaysia (16 million), Singapore (12-14 million), and Indonesia (8.5 million).
"Vietnam's efforts to restore international tourism towards a full recovery by 2024 require more strategic actions on the market and destination branding front to strengthen the international tourist market structure and become more competitive," Outbox commented.
According to vnexpress.net
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