Vietnam tourism ranks among the world's top in international tourist growth

International tourists are excited to receive a red flag with a yellow star when experiencing the destination of Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: CTV/Vietnam+)

Vietnam tourism has become a bright spot with the highest growth rate of international tourists in the Asia- Pacific region in the first quarter of 2025 - up 30% over the same period in 2024 and ranked second in terms of recovery in international arrivals (up 34% over the first quarter of 2019).

Globally, Vietnam ranks 6th in terms of international tourist arrival growth (up 30% year-on-year in 2024) and 4th in terms of total tourism revenue growth (up 29% year-on-year).

This is the figure according to the latest World Tourism Barometer released by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). Notably, Vietnam ranks 6th in terms of international tourist arrival growth in recent times.

In the context of Asia-Pacific continuing to face many difficulties and still finding a way to recover after COVID-19, the impressive growth of Vietnamese tourism is considered a bright spot in the region.

The success story of the country's tourism reflects the efforts of the entire industry to synchronously deploy solutions, from advising on policy development, innovating content and promotion methods, implementing tourism stimulus programs, developing diverse products...

In particular, the Government's attention and the Prime Minister's issuance of many documents directing the removal of difficulties and creating favorable conditions for tourism, in which the open visa policy has contributed significantly to creating conditions to attract more and more international tourists to enter Vietnam.

Beautiful and peaceful natural landscapes are one of the attractions for international tourists to Vietnam. (Illustration photo: CTV/Vietnam+)

According to the UN Tourism report, in the first quarter of 2025, there will be more than 300 million international tourist arrivals worldwide, an increase of more than 14 million compared to the same period in 2024 (equivalent to an increase of 5% compared to the same period last year and 3% compared to 2019). This is a strong growth of world tourism despite a series of instabilities, geopolitical tensions as well as high inflation affecting the cost of tourism and travel services.

“Everywhere in the world, tourism is reasserting its role as a vital service sector, supporting millions of jobs and businesses. The continued growth in international arrivals and increased visitor spending in many destinations shows that the sector is recovering strongly against a challenging backdrop, and this is good news for economies and workers around the world,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

By region, Europe was the world's largest destination, recording 125 million international tourists in the first three months of the year (up 2% compared to the same period in 2024). Asia-Pacific had the highest growth at 12%, followed by Africa at 9%, the Americas at 2%, and the Middle East at 1%.

International visitors in the exhibition space of the War Remnants Museum, a popular destination for international visitors in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Hong Dat/VNA)

Compared to before the pandemic, the Middle East has recovered the best at 144%, followed by Africa at 144%, Europe at 105%, and the Americas at 103%. Asia Pacific is still recovering, at 91%.

In addition, data on visitor spending at destinations shows that total international tourism receipts will reach a record $1.7 trillion by 2024 (up 15% from 2019), partly due to an increase in average spending per trip, reaching $1,170, up from the pre-pandemic average of $1,000.

Despite the challenges and prospects, UN Tourism has not changed its growth forecast of 3% to 5% for 2025, due to positive signals from countries like Vietnam.

According to Vietnam+

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/du-lich-viet-lot-top-the-gioi-ve-muc-tang-truong-du-khach-quoc-te-a423767.html