Vietnam is more popular among US travelers

Vietnam is becoming a popular tourist destination for US holidaymakers, with more than 215,000 Americans visiting the country last year, ranking second behind the Republic of Korea in terms of arrival number.

Vietnam is more popular among US travelers -0
First US holidaymakers visited Hoi An city in central Vietnam in April 2022 after the country reopened its borders on March 15, 2022.

Travel Off Path, a US website specializing in tourism, points out Vietnam is one of the top tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. Its natural wonders and incredible culture has inspired American tourists to get out of their comfort zone and travel across the world to explore the country, despite the limited flight options and the complex logistics of getting there.  

Vietnam fully reopened for tourism in the middle of March 2022, becoming one of the first in the region to ease COVID-19 travel restrictions and welcome foreign visitors, including US travelers, regardless of vaccination status. Demand for quality tourism has since increased dramatically. The famous online travel agency Kayak even considered Vietnam the top destination in Southeast Asia for 2023.

Travel Off Path learns Vietnam welcomed 3.36 million foreign visitors last year, a drop of 79.9% compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, but 23.3 times more than it did the year before, that proves the government’s March decision to reopen its borders was hugely beneficial to tourism.

Among 3.36 million guests visiting Vietnam in 2022, 388,873 came from the Americas, including North, Central, and South. US visitors, in particular, amounted to more than 215,000, ranking second after the Republic of Korea in terms of traveler number.

Explaining the reasons, Travel Off Path says Vietnam is a culturally-rich country, and it is a newborn country still finding its footing in a fast-changing world. It has only eased visa restrictions for foreigners in recent years, allowing them the privilege of visiting previous generations simply didn't enjoy.

“Needless to say, it is a different world altogether from your usual vacay spots in the West,” the website notes.

Vietnam is more popular among US travelers -0
UNESCO-recognised Ha Long Bay - one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Vietnam.

According to the website, many adventurous Americans find Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City impossible to resist, because the two cities are ‘a complex maze of narrow, unplanned streets prospered with trade, vibrant flea markets, old colonial buildings, and ancient temples’.

“If the busy city life doesn't seem appealing and its bucolic, rolling rice terraces etched into green hills, quaint villages, and remote pagodas set against dramatic backdrops you're after, you'll soon realize Vietnam is brimming with them, from the Sa Pa heartland to the pilgrimage sites of the Ninh Binh province,” it continues to describe Vietnam.

If visitors love to explore architecture or old ruins, there are numerous jaw-dropping imperial palaces to entertain them. One of those places introduced by Travel Off Path is Hue, a historical city in central Vietnam, home to the stunning Forbidden Purple City, the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, sumptuously-decorated temples, and a monumental moated citadel.

For many, a trip to Vietnam is not complete without visiting and staying at pristine beaches. According to the website, Vietnam is packed with paradisiacal beaches boasting postcard-perfect turquoise waters and lined with luxurious resorts.

Last but not least, middle-income Americans choose to visit Vietnam because it is incredibly cheap coupled with the lower cost of living, enabling them to access luxuries they wouldn't be able to afford in their country.

VOV

Other News

Reasons why Phu Quoc shines even during rainy season

Reasons why Phu Quoc shines even during rainy season

Recently named by Expedia among the "10 Best Islands to Visit in 2026" for offering premium holidays at reasonable prices, Phu Quoc is far from being just a dry season destination. Even during the rainy months, Pearl Island offers enough experiences to fill every hour of the day, with short tropical showers rarely disrupting the journey.

Van Phuc silk weaving village officially recognised as Hanoi tourist destination

Van Phuc silk weaving village officially recognised as Hanoi tourist destination

With its millennia-old heritage and growing integration of preservation and innovation, Van Phuc silk weaving village is poised to become a distinctive cultural destination, helping promote Hanoi’s sustainable cultural tourism and bring the quintessence of Vietnamese silk weaving closer to domestic and international visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City: Free bus fares drive increase in bus, metro ridership

Ho Chi Minh City: Free bus fares drive increase in bus, metro ridership

According to Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Centre Le Hoan, the bus network operated nearly 478,000 trips in July, serving more than 8.48 million passengers. Weekly growth accelerated throughout the month, rising from 33% in the first week to 45% in the fourth week.

My Son inscriptions set sights on UNESCO documentary heritage status

My Son inscriptions set sights on UNESCO documentary heritage status

Located in Thu Bon commune, Da Nang city, My Son is renowned for its architectural heritage, but it also preserves an exceptional archive engraved on stone. These inscriptions have enabled scholars to unravel the history of the sanctuary and trace the rise and development of the ancient Champa kingdom over many centuries.

Hanoi brings new life to suburban tourism villages

Hanoi brings new life to suburban tourism villages

Hanoi has long been known for the heritage cachet of a thousand-year-old capital. Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and a network of craft villages have given the city a singular pull.

Resolution paves way for Vietnam to unleash soft power

Resolution paves way for Vietnam to unleash soft power

The implementation of Resolution No. 06 alongside the cultural diplomacy strategy sends a clear message: by combining its rich cultural heritage with proactive diplomacy, innovation and digital transformation, Vietnam would strengthen its competitiveness on the global stage.

Vietnam Summer Camp 2026 wrapped up

Vietnam Summer Camp 2026 wrapped up

Held from July 12 to 25 across eight cities and provinces, Vietnam Summer Camp 2026 offered a rich array of experiences. Participants explored historical landmarks, visited iconic cultural heritage sites such as the imperial city of Hue, Hoi An ancient town, and the My Son Sanctuary, and engaged in charitable activities valued at over 300 million VND (11,400 USD), including the installation of a "Youth Bookshelf."

Enjoy Danang Festival 2026 kicks off

Enjoy Danang Festival 2026 kicks off

The Enjoy Danang Festival 2026 features a rural market-themed culinary space at East Sea Park showcasing Quang region cuisine, a beachfront art route, a light kite night featuring around 500 illuminated kites, and a seaside light party combining visual arts, music and local cuisine.

Railways reinvent themselves with tourism, heritage trains

Railways reinvent themselves with tourism, heritage trains

One of the most notable successes is the premium Hoa Phuong Do (Flamboyant Flower) train operating between Hanoi and Hai Phong city. Since entering service in May 2025, the train has completed nearly 3,000 trips and carried around 1.33 million passengers.

Da Nang proves Lonely Planet right as Asia's must visit summer destination

Da Nang proves Lonely Planet right as Asia's must visit summer destination

According to Lonely Planet, Da Nang stands out for its harmonious blend of beautiful beaches, an energetic yet relaxed lifestyle, a rich culinary scene and a diverse range of experiences spanning nature, culture, leisure and entertainment. The city is also praised as an ideal gateway to central Vietnam, offering convenient access to Hoi An, Hue and My Son Sanctuary.

Vietnam invites travellers on multi-sensory journey

Vietnam invites travellers on multi-sensory journey

Vietnam's appeal lies not in a single attraction but in the seamless combination of authentic experiences rooted in local culture. From colourful highland markets and traditional festivals to centuries-old craft villages, all remain an integral part of everyday life.

Promoting souvenir industry to spread national image

Promoting souvenir industry to spread national image

Experts said that with market-oriented development, improved functionality, stronger storytelling and greater involvement from designers, businesses and market-connecting organisations, souvenirs could become a bridge linking Vietnam with the world while contributing to the growth of cultural industries and the creative economy.

Interactive sound exhibition breathes new life into cultural heritage

Interactive sound exhibition breathes new life into cultural heritage

One of the exhibition's highlights is the "Our Sound" installation, where visitors become part of the artwork itself. As multiple participants interact simultaneously, sound and light merge into a shared composition, conveying messages of connection, sharing and collective responsibility for building sustainable communities in harmony with nature.

Festival for Peace 2026 opens, featuring wide rage of activities

Festival for Peace 2026 opens, featuring wide rage of activities

Standing on the historic land of Quang Tri, alongside the Ben Hai River, the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel and the national martyrs’ cemeteries, people are reminded of the true value of peace and the sacrifices made for national independence, freedom and reunification.