International visitors to Vietnam in 2024 increase by 40%

International visitors to Vietnam in 2024 will reach nearly 17.6 million, an increase of nearly 40% over the previous year.

According to the General Statistics Office released this morning, the number of international visitors to Vietnam in 2024 is 17.6 million, equal to 98% compared to 2019 - the golden year of tourism. This number meets the target set at the beginning of the year by the tourism industry, with about 17-18 million arrivals.

The number of international visitors to Vietnam in December 2024 was the highest in the year with about 1.75 million arrivals, equal to 102% compared to November and an increase of more than 27% compared to the same period in 2023. Of which, visitors entering by air still accounted for the majority with nearly 1.5 million arrivals, equal to 128% compared to the previous month; the rest included visitors entering by water and road.

The number of Vietnamese tourists leaving the country in 2024 will reach 5.3 million, an increase of nearly 6 times compared to 2023. In December alone, it reached more than 363,000, an increase of 3.1% over the same period last year.

The ranking of the markets sending the most international visitors to Vietnam has not changed much. South Korea is still the top market in Vietnam, followed by mainland China, Taiwan, and the US. December also recorded a sharp increase in the number of Cambodian visitors, with more than 61,000 arrivals, surpassing Japan, Malaysia, and India to reach the top 5.

Australian tourists Alex and Max cheered and celebrated, while one person climbed a tree to take a photo of the moment people poured into the streets to celebrate on Le Lai Street, District 1 on January 5. Photo: Dinh Van

In terms of growth drivers, mainland China is the best-performing market in 2024, with visitor numbers up 214% from 2023. The remaining top 10 growth markets include Russia, Italy, Sweden, and France, which are among the 13 countries with unilateral visa exemptions. This shows that the government's visa relaxation policy in August 2023 has supported the growth of the tourism industry this year.

December 2024 will welcome the highest number of international visitors of the year, which is predictable because it is the peak tourist season. With the current growth momentum, the tourism industry's target of welcoming 22-23 million international visitors this year is "completely achievable", according to Vietnamese tourism experts.

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