The latest data from the General Statistics Office shows that in December 2024, international visitors to our country reached 1.75 million, an increase of 27.4% over the same period last year. In the whole year of 2024, Vietnam welcomed nearly 17.6 million international visitors, an increase of 39.5% over the previous year and equal to 97.6% of 2019 - the year before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among them, leading the tourist markets to Vietnam in 2024 are Korean visitors with nearly 4.57 million arrivals, an increase of more than 27% compared to 2023.

The Chinese tourist market also recovered strongly, ranking second with nearly 3.74 million arrivals, up 114.4% over the same period last year. However, this figure is still far lower than in 2019 (5.8 million arrivals) due to the economy not fully recovering and the country's policy of restricting domestic tourists from traveling abroad, focusing on attracting international tourists.

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By 2025, Vietnam strives to welcome 22-23 million international visitors. Photo: Hoang Ha

Next is the Taiwanese (China) tourist market with nearly 1.29 million arrivals, an increase of 51.4% over the same period in 2023; nearly 780,000 American visitors; and 711,464 Japanese visitors.

Indian visitors to Vietnam also increased sharply in 2024, reaching 501,427 arrivals, up nearly 28% over the previous year.

Other markets in the top 10 include Malaysia with 495,383 arrivals; Australia with 490,880 arrivals; and Cambodia with 474,580 arrivals.

Thailand remains the leading tourist market for Vietnam, with 418,054 arrivals in 2024, but only 85.5% of the figure in 2023 (over 489,000 arrivals). Meanwhile, the number of Vietnamese visitors to Thailand is three times higher, with 1.03 million arrivals last year.

Previously, this country proposed an initiative to join Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar to establish a common visa area so that international visitors can apply for a single visa to visit 6 countries.

During a working session with the leaders of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration on January 3, a representative of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the “6 countries, 1 destination” initiative includes 3 main contents: Facilitating entry and exit; developing common tourism between countries; expanding and enhancing transport and tourism connections.

The initiative aims to support ASEAN countries in tourism development, help tourists from many countries travel conveniently, increase options for tourists with new cross-border products, promote increased number of visitors to countries in the region. Thereby, attracting tourists from potential markets such as the US, Europe and South Asia.

The number of international visitors to Vietnam will explode in 2024, reaching over 17 million, almost completely recovering to pre-Covid-19 levels. However, to accelerate and compete with regional rivals, stronger and more drastic policies are needed.