A recent report from the General Statistics Office in July of 2025 indicates that Vietnam’s tourism sector is experiencing rapid growth. The nation’s robust economy, coupled with deliberate governmental strategies, is the driving force behind this surge. The first half of 2025 witnessed a remarkable 7.52% GDP increase – the most substantial in over a decade. This fueled an 8.14% expansion in the services sector, including tourism, which contributed over 52% to the economy’s total value.
The Prime Minister emphasized the sector’s strong performance at a government conference on July 3, affirming Vietnam’s prominent status as a global tourism destination.
International Visitor Numbers on the Rise
Almost 10.7 million international visitors were recorded in Vietnam during the initial six months of 2025; this represents a 26% increase over 2019 figures. A further 1.46 million arrivals were recorded in June alone. The UNWTO’s recent World Tourism Barometer showed Vietnam as the leading performer in the Asia-Pacific region with a 30% surge in international arrivals during the first quarter, placing it sixth globally and outperforming Japan and Palau. The nation has also accomplished a significant 34% tourism growth in arrivals compared to pre-pandemic numbers from 2019, placing it second worldwide, as a matter of fact.
China held the top spot as the largest origin of visitors, contributing 2.7 million arrivals (25.6%), with South Korea following closely at 2.2 million (20.7%). Combined, these two nations make up close to half of all tourist arrivals. The United States (449,000), Japan (393,000), and Cambodia (360,000) are additional key markets, along with India, Australia, Malaysia, and Russia which also made notable contributions.
Asian markets displayed significant tourism growth, particularly China (+44.2%), Japan (+17.2%), and India (+41%) were leading the way. Southeast Asia recorded substantial increases, for example, the Philippines (+105%), Cambodia (+55.6%), and Laos (+35.8%), although South Korea experienced a slight dip (-3.2%).
Growth was strong from European markets, notably with Russia recording a striking 139.3% increase. Double-digit increases came from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland, and Switzerland, most likely boosted by Vietnam’s visa waiver policies implemented for short-stay visits for these countries.
Strategic Policies Fuel Success
The government’s proactive approach to tourism – encompassing visa-free entry programs, the implementation of open e-visas, plus inventive promotional campaigns – is a core reason for Vietnam’s surge in popularity. The National Administration of Tourism has taken the lead by carrying out extensive cultural and promotional initiatives across Europe, Asia, and through various digital channels, thus solidifying Vietnam’s position as a must-see travel spot. As a result of these ongoing efforts, Vietnam is aiming for an ambitious target of attracting between 22 and 23 million visitors by the close of 2025, with the anticipation that the high season (spanning from October to December) will play a crucial part.
Economic and Global Impact
The 7.52% contribution of tourism to Vietnam’s GDP highlights its importance as a key economic driver for the country. The success of the tourism industry is fueled by a diversity of attractive sights, ranging from essential cultural sites to stunning landscapes, which appeal to a broad spectrum of international travelers. Vietnam’s leading position in Asia-Pacific for tourism growth, plus its second place globally for overall recovery, are helping it establish itself as a leader on the international stage, generally speaking.