The driving force for Vietnam tourism to realize its goals

Increase in visitors in many localities

In the first quarter of 2025 , many localities across the country recorded a high increase in the number of tourists, bringing in large revenues in the first three months of 2025. In particular, in Khanh Hoa, it is estimated that in the first quarter of 2025, the whole province welcomed more than 2.5 million overnight guests, an increase of 19.7% over the same period in 2024.

Hanoi capital in the first quarter of 2025 is estimated to welcome 7.3 million visitors, an increase of 8.7% over the same period in 2024.

In Ho Chi Minh City, in the first 3 months of the year, the number of international visitors reached more than 1.6 million, an increase of 18.2% over the same period in 2024, reaching 19.2% of the 2025 plan. Domestic visitors reached nearly 8.6 million, an increase of 6.3% over the same period last year, reaching 19.1% of the 2025 plan.

Other localities such as Ha Giang; Hai Duong; Thai Nguyen; Ha Tinh, Tay Ninh... also welcomed a large number of visitors. This is a positive signal for the recovery and development of local tourism activities.

This result is due to the fact that localities and businesses have introduced many attractive tourism products and experience programs that are imbued with regional identity. Along with that, localities have also promoted tourism promotion activities, introduced destinations through mass media, social networks, etc.

Along with domestic visitors, thanks to flexible and effective visa policies, the number of international visitors has also seen high growth in recent times. In the first two months of the year, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached nearly 4 million, an increase of 30.2% over the same period in 2024.

In particular, in the first months of 2025, luxury cruise ships have continuously docked at Vietnamese ports, bringing tens of thousands of international tourists. Notably, in Quang Ninh, cruise ship passengers have brought to this locality more than 26,000 international tourists from many markets in Europe, America, Oceania, and Northeast Asia.

It is expected that this year, Quang Ninh will welcome about 70 cruise ships, with nearly 90,000 international tourists.

Meanwhile, from the beginning of 2025 until now, Khanh Hoa has welcomed 8 international cruise ships with about 13,500 tourists coming ashore for sightseeing and experiences.

Recently, the first charter flight from Iran to Hanoi brought more than 200 tourists to the capital. Organizing flights like this will contribute to diversifying the source of tourists, especially luxury tourists; at the same time, promoting the image of Vietnam as an attractive destination on the world tourism map.

According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Vietnam Institute for Tourism Development Research, the rapid increase in the number of international and domestic visitors in recent times has brought a new look to the tourism industry. It is forecasted that in 2025, tourism will still be a bright spot in Vietnam's socio-economic picture.

Promote stimulus activities according to new trends

Commenting on tourism trends in 2025, at a recent seminar on new tourism trends, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Long, Head of the Department of Tourism, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said that after the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism trends have changed a lot. Tourists will tend to have personalized experiences, or travel in small groups. This will also be a challenge for businesses when building tourism products.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat, General Director of AZA Travel Company Limited, said that traditionally, tourists often go on available sample tours and mostly depend on travel companies. But now, thanks to the convenience of technology, they have chosen to travel according to their preferences. Tourists can travel according to famous movies, "hot trend" songs, watch music shows following "idols" or go to cafes following emerging trends, etc. Therefore, building service packages according to combos (combining many products) according to trends and needs of each customer group will be a useful choice for travel businesses.

Sharing this view, Ms. Le Thanh Thao, Director of Asian Sun Joint Stock Company, said that the travel trends of customers, including foreign visitors to Vietnam and Vietnamese visitors abroad, have changed a lot, so the company has designed many flexible, non-fixed products to give customers many options.

Currently, the company builds products at Vietnamese destinations for foreign visitors with long stays, from 7-10-20 days. The company will book hotels, commit to transportation, and combine with domestic destinations to offer product packages such as cultural, educational, and experiential tourism...

Through travel agencies, groups of tourists can be combined according to their needs and interests to create tourism products at the best cost. “This is a trend that is close to customer needs, creating a highlight to attract tourists, especially international tourists,” said Ms. Le Thanh Thao.

As a unit that annually welcomes a large number of international visitors, Ms. Nguyen Hoai Thu, Director of Saigontourist Hanoi branch, said that to attract this type of visitor, Saigontourist has built a unique tour product line.

With carefully designed itineraries, integrating the culture, history and traditional values ​​of Vietnam and the three countries of Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar, Saigontourist has launched many tours from traditional tours, festival and culinary tours, island tours, cruises, eco-tourism and discovery tours, to MICE tours, golf tours...

According to Ms. Nguyen Hoai Thu, visa exemption for key markets has created conditions to attract more international visitors to Vietnam, especially source markets with frequent travel needs, diverse experiences and high spending levels.

It can be seen that after the Covid-19 pandemic, tourists approach tourism differently. They follow their interests and personalize their trips. Instead of choosing familiar tourist destinations, they tend to go to less known places to experience new and more unique things.

In addition, high-end tourism, focusing on emotions, sustainability and personalization will also develop more strongly to meet the needs of tourists. This is a challenge for travel businesses in particular, and the tourism industry in general in the coming time. However, with the efforts and consensus of the entire industry, Vietnam tourism is expected to achieve the set goals.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dong-luc-de-du-lich-viet-nam-hien-thuc-hoa-muc-tieu-post869192.html