Vietnam is set to welcome a record-breaking 21 million foreign tourists this year, showcasing a robust recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as stated by the country’s Ministry of Culture. Despite facing persistent air pollution and severe flooding, Vietnam’s diverse natural landscapes, rich history, and culture have positioned it as a sought-after tourist destination in Southeast Asia.
The country recently celebrated the arrival of its 20 millionth foreign tourist for the year on Phu Quoc Island. This milestone surpasses the pre-pandemic record of 18 million tourists in 2019, marking a 19.3% increase from the previous year.
Although Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, has experienced high levels of air pollution, and renowned tourist spots like Hue, Hoi An, and Nha Trang have been affected by flooding, the tourism sector has shown resilience. In contrast, in 2021, Vietnam witnessed a significant drop in foreign arrivals, with less than 160,000 visitors due to pandemic-related travel restrictions.
China emerged as the leading source of foreign tourists to Vietnam in the first 11 months of the year, contributing a quarter of the total arrivals, followed by South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and Japan, according to data from the National Statistics Office.