Vietnam serves 6.76 million foreign arrivals in Q1

China and the Republic of Korea (RoK) continued to lead as Vietnam’s largest source markets in the quarter, with 1.4 million and 1.3 million visitors respectively, accounting for around 40% of total arrivals.

Vietnam posted its best-ever first-quarter tourism performance, welcoming 6.76 million international visitors in the first three months of 2026, up 12.4% year-on-year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).

Vietnam serves 6.76 million foreign arrivals in Q1 -0
Tourists visit the Bay Mau coconut forest in Da Nang city. (Photo: VNA)

Of the total arrivals in the first quarter, air travel accounted for 82.3%, followed by land routes at 15.5% and sea travel at 2.2%.
In March alone, the country welcomed nearly 2.1 million international arrivals.

The figures highlight Vietnam’s rising appeal, resilience and strengthening standing as a global travel destination amid an increasingly uncertain international landscape.

According to the VNAT’s Information Centre, air transport continues to dominate, reflecting not only the country’s strong air connectivity but also international travelers’ confidence in Vietnam as a safe, stable and easily accessible destination.

Land arrivals, meanwhile, continue to be driven by neighbouring markets such as China, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. These markets provide a stable buffer thanks to their proximity, lower travel costs and flexible travel patterns.

Meanwhile, cruise passengers account for just 2.2% of total international arrivals, indicating significant untapped potential in this segment. With its long coastline, rich tourism resources and strategic location in the region, Vietnam is well positioned to develop cruise tourism—an area associated with high-spending visitors who often travel in large groups.

This suggests that despite robust growth, the country’s tourism sector still has ample room to enhance quality and value addition in the coming period. Upgrading dedicated port infrastructure and developing high-quality short-stay tourism products will be key to unlocking this potential.

China and the Republic of Korea (RoK) continued to lead as Vietnam’s largest source markets in the quarter, with 1.4 million and 1.3 million visitors respectively, accounting for around 40% of total arrivals.

Southeast Asian markets posted strong growth, including Malaysia (up 21.5 %), Singapore (30.2%), Cambodia (41.1%), Indonesia (43.9%) and the Philippines (69.3%), while Thailand saw a modest increase of 6.5%.

India recorded an impressive growth of 69.3%, highlighting the vast potential of this South Asian market.

Europe emerged as a standout region, with overall arrivals rising 55.6%. Notably, long-haul markets from Europe continued to grow in March despite aviation disruptions linked to Middle East tensions.

The first quarter also saw positive growth from North America, with the US up 17.0% and Canada, 24.2%; and Oceania with Australia up 18.4% and New Zealand up 19.4%.

These figures indicate that Vietnam is not only expanding in scale but also diversifying its source markets, enhancing long-term sustainability./.

VNA

Other News

UAE grants visa-on-arrival for eligible Vietnamese citizens

UAE grants visa-on-arrival for eligible Vietnamese citizens

PSNews - The UAE Embassy in Vietnam also confirmed that Vietnamese citizens holding ordinary passports, and their eligible accompanying family members, are able to get a visa on arrival from June 25, 2026 as long as they meet the above requirements.

Hanoi festival celebrates cultural heritage of lotus

Hanoi festival celebrates cultural heritage of lotus

The festival is part of Hanoi's strategy to boost its cultural industries by transforming cultural heritage into a driver of socio-economic development while preserving and promoting the city's traditional cultural values.

Vietnam's Hidden Spa-Water Hope wins top jury prize at Architizer A+Awards 2026

Vietnam's Hidden Spa-Water Hope wins top jury prize at Architizer A+Awards 2026

Nestled among coastal sand dunes in Cam Ranh, the project was conceived with a strong commitment to respecting the natural landscape and harnessing water as its central element. Rather than creating a visually dominant structure, the design blends into the terrain, making use of sand layers, native vegetation and open spaces to strengthen the connection between people and nature.

Heritage resources fuel Hue's new growth ambitions

Heritage resources fuel Hue's new growth ambitions

Hue is simultaneously stepping up efforts to attract investment into tourism, services and cultural industries. In the first five months of 2026, the city secured more than 19 trillion VND in newly registered investment capital, with projects planned in coastal tourism, lagoon-based ecotourism, cultural spaces along the Perfume River, convention and exhibition centres, night-time economy projects and cultural innovation hubs.

Phu Tho moves to unlock tourism potential after administrative mergence

Phu Tho moves to unlock tourism potential after administrative mergence

With coordinated efforts in planning, infrastructure development, product diversification, human resources training, digital transformation and destination branding, Phu Tho is well-positioned to transform tourism into a spearhead economic sector and a new engine of sustainable growth in the years ahead.

AI ushers in a new era for digital art

AI ushers in a new era for digital art

As cultural industries and the creative economy gain momentum, AI is proving valuable in improving efficiency, streamlining operations and enabling creators to focus more on artistic content.

Green tourism charts a new course for Vietnam

Green tourism charts a new course for Vietnam

With its rich agricultural ecosystem, where each region boasts unique produce, culinary traditions, and farming practices, Vietnam is well positioned to develop and expand the farm-to-table model. Cities and provinces, such as Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Da Nang, Hue, Can Tho, Lam Dong, and Vinh Long, are already embracing the model as part of their green tourism strategies.

Wildlife protection drive delivers encouraging conservation gains

Wildlife protection drive delivers encouraging conservation gains

Implemented under Plan 628, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the campaign marks a shift towards a more coordinated and long-term approach to protecting wildlife and natural resources.

Vietnam seeks strong global presence for its children's books

Vietnam seeks strong global presence for its children's books

According to experts, Vietnam needs a systematic and long-term strategy to bring its children’s literature to the world. This includes strong support for authors, illustrators, editors, translators, and copyright specialists, as well as greater participation in international book fairs as part of a cultural industry development strategy.

Lotus Festival lights up Hue's summer

Lotus Festival lights up Hue's summer

Scheduled for June 19-21 at Bong Lai Islet on Tinh Tam Lotus Lake in Phu Xuan ward, one of Hue’s most renowned scenic landmarks and a symbol of royal garden art, the festival draws inspiration from the lotus’s enduring beauty in court culture. The event aims to honour local heritage while offering visitors a distinctive summer tourism experience.

ASEAN city leaders explore Hanoi's heritage sites

ASEAN city leaders explore Hanoi's heritage sites

At the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, delegates visited the Doan Mon Gate and learnt about the formation and development of the ancient capital through different historical periods at display spaces. They also explored the Kinh Thien Palace’s Dragon Steps (large stone steps with dragon carvings), regarded as the political and ceremonial centre of the imperial citadel during successive Vietnamese dynasties.

Heritage takes centre stage at Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026

Heritage takes centre stage at Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026

Vietnam's Z121 Vina Pyrotech impressed spectators at Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026 with a display deeply rooted in national identity. Using modern pyrotechnic technology, the team recreated the image of the palm tree, a symbol of the ancestral land of Phu Tho, before closing with a spectacular synchronised fireworks finale set to the iconic song Noi vong tay lon (Joining Hands Together), drawing enthusiastic applause from audiences.

Phong Nha – Ke Bang earns UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status

Phong Nha – Ke Bang earns UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status

The recognition marks the third UNESCO accolade for Phong Nha – Ke Bang, which was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2003 and again in 2015. The latest designation highlights the park's global ecological significance while opening new prospects for conservation and sustainable development.

Night-time economy drives growth of Hanoi's cultural industries

Night-time economy drives growth of Hanoi's cultural industries

Under the Politburo’s Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW on the development of Vietnamese culture, Hanoi has been given fresh opportunities to leverage its cultural, historical, tourism and creative assets. The city’s recently approved project on developing the night-time economy for 2026–2030, with a vision to 2045, is expected to create momentum for cultural industry growth while enhancing Hanoi’s standing as a creative and modern city with a distinctive identity.

Efforts made to preserve, promote values of Non nuoc Cao Bang global geopark

Efforts made to preserve, promote values of Non nuoc Cao Bang global geopark

UNESCO presented certificates to 12 newly designated UNESCO Global Geoparks and 44 others that successfully passed revalidation in Paris on April 27, 2026. Among them, Vietnam’s Non Nuoc Cao Bang Global Geopark was once again honoured, reaffirming its outstanding heritage and sustained efforts in preservation and promotion.