Vietnam Kicks Off 2025 with Highest-Ever Monthly International Tourist Arrivals

Vietnam’s tourism industry started the new year on a high note, welcoming nearly 2.1 million international visitors in January—the highest monthly figure ever recorded.

This marks an increase of nearly 19% compared to December 2024 (1.74 million) and a remarkable 37% rise from January 2024 (1.5 million), according to the National Tourism Administration. The January 2025 total even surpassed pre-pandemic levels from January 2019 and January 2020, two peak periods for Vietnamese tourism.

China Leads the Surge, Followed by South Korea and Cambodia

China reclaimed its position as the top source market, with 575,000 visitors, accounting for 27.7% of total international arrivals—significantly higher than January 2019’s 370,000. The strong rebound of Chinese tourists is attributed to intensified market expansion efforts, strengthened tourism cooperation, and increased travel exchanges between the two countries.

South Korea ranked second with over 417,000 arrivals. Meanwhile, Cambodia saw a remarkable surge, jumping to third place with over 100,000 visitors—up from ninth place in December 2024.

Other top inbound markets included the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, India, Malaysia, and Thailand. In terms of year-on-year growth, Chinese arrivals surged by nearly 140%, while Cambodia recorded a staggering 170% increase. The US, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and India also experienced strong growth. Southeast Asian markets saw significant gains, with Filipino arrivals doubling and visitors from Laos increasing by nearly 100%.

Foreign tourist in Vietnam. Photo: @clumsy_charly & @backofthebiketours

Strong Growth from Europe and Other Key Markets

European markets benefiting from Vietnam’s visa exemption policy also showed positive growth. Russia led the way with a 116% increase, followed by Norway (36%) and Germany (23%).

Tourism Recovery Outpaces Regional Trends

Welcoming a record-breaking 2.1 million visitors in January 2025 reflects the Vietnamese tourism industry’s strategic efforts over the past year. While tourism in many parts of Asia is still recovering at a slower pace than other regions worldwide, Vietnam’s strong rebound underscores its growing appeal as a top global destination.

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