Vietnam welcomes 11.4 million international visitors in the first 8 months of the year

The total number of international visitors to Vietnam reached nearly 11.4 million, up 45.8% over the same period in 2023 and up 1% over the same period in 2019.

According to data just released by the General Statistics Office, in the first 8 months of 2024, in August 2024 alone, the number of international visitors reached 1.43 million, an increase of 24.5% over the previous month and an increase of 17.7% over the same period last year.

In terms of market size, the Korean and Chinese markets contribute nearly 50% of the total number of international visitors to Vietnam. Of which, Korea is the largest market sending visitors to Vietnam with more than 3 million arrivals (accounting for 26.4%). China ranks second, reaching over 2.4 million arrivals (accounting for 21.4%).

Chart of international visitors by month, 2024 (thousand arrivals). Source: Compiled from data of General Statistics Office

The next positions are Taiwan (ranked 3rd, 850,000 visits), the US (ranked 4th, 529,000 visits), and Japan (ranked 5th, 461,000 visits).

In the top 10 largest markets for Vietnamese tourism, there are also Australia (315,000 arrivals), Malaysia (313,000 arrivals), India (312,000 arrivals), Cambodia (295,000 arrivals), and Thailand (274,000 arrivals).

The number of international visitors to Vietnam in August 2024 increased by 24% compared to the previous month, showing a positive signal of the international tourism market as it prepares to enter the peak season at the end of the year.

In particular, major markets with growth in tourist arrivals include Japan (up 81.1%), South Korea (up 36.2%), China (up 23.2%); in Europe, the UK (up 35.1%), France (up 54.9%), Russia (up 36.3%), Spain (up 171.7%), Italy (up 289.1%).

In the first 8 months of 2024, the total number of international visitors to Vietnam increased by 45.8% over the same period in 2023. Most markets recorded growth, including major markets in Northeast Asia: China (up 157.7%), South Korea (up 32.4%), Japan (up 32.0%), Taiwan (China) (up 70.6%).

Top 10 customer sending markets in the first 8 months of 2024 (thousand visits). Source: Compiled from data of the General Statistics Office

The Korean tourist market increased by 32.4% compared to the same period in 2023 and increased by 7.5% compared to the same period in 2019, the time before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Potential markets Australia (up 25%) and India (up 26.3%) have shown very positive growth. In particular, the tourism industry recently welcomed a group of 4,500 MICE tourists from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, showing that there is still a lot of room to increase the attraction of the Indian tourist market in the near future.