Vietnam Aims to Host 110 Million Visitors in 2023

Vietnam officially welcomed the first Chinese tourists, after the country reopened international tourism activities from March 2023 (Photo: TD).

Vietnam saw an impressive surge in foreign tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2023, with more than 2.69 million visitors coming to the country – a staggering 29.7 times greater than the same period in the previous year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Most foreign visitors – 89.8% – arrived in Vietnam by air, 9% by road, and 1.2% by sea. The Republic of Korea is the largest source of tourists to Vietnam, with an estimated 250,649 visitors arriving in March and 810,938 in the first quarter of 2023. Most of the foreign visitors, 89.8%, came to Vietnam by air, 9% by road, and 1.2% by sea. The Republic of Korea is still the largest market sending tourists to Vietnam, with an estimated 250,649 tourists in March and 810,938 visitors in the first quarter of 2023.

In March, international travelers visiting Vietnam were estimated to be 895,400, representing a decrease of 4% compared to the prior month and 21.5 times greater than the same period in 2020.

On March 15th, Vietnam welcomed the first group of Chinese tourists since international tourism activities were resumed, marking a new milestone in the country’s tourism industry.

This month, China is the second-largest tourist market sending tourists to Vietnam, with an estimated 69,329 visitors. In the first quarter of 2023, visitor numbers from China were estimated at 140,233, ranking third among the markets sending visitors to Vietnam.

The office estimated total revenue from accommodation and catering services in the three months to hit VND 161 trillion (roughly USD 6.85 billion). Meanwhile, thanks to dynamic cultural and tourism activities in the first months of the year across localities, travel businesses reported earnings of about VND 6.8 trillion, a whopping 2.2-fold increase from last year.

Some localities have seen a marked increase in revenues from the same period last year, such as Da Nang (73.5%), Quang Ninh (43.1%), Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City (42.4% and 37.2%), and Hanoi (12.5%). Remarkable increases in revenue are evident in the central city of Da Nang (73.5%), the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh (43.1%), the southern city of Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City (42.4% and 37.2%), and Hanoi (12.5%).

Some localities’ revenues have posted significant increases in revenues from the same period last year. Photo: Travel Triangle

This year, the vibrant tourism sector has set an ambitious target of serving 110 million tourists, including some 8 million foreign holidaymakers, and generating approximately VND 650 trillion (US $27.67 billion) in revenue.

Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, Vu The Binh, recently stated that the number of international visitors to the country is expected to increase due to the return of Chinese tourists and the soon-to-be-approved, strongest visa policy ever.

All tourism businesses are confident that the figures will surpass the set targets, according to Binh.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) – an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism – has undertaken a range of promotional activities to entice international visitors to the country. VNAT has taken steps to showcase the various attractions of Vietnam to potential tourists from around the world.

From March 7th to 9th, Vietnam took part in the ITB Berlin International Tourism Fair, widely regarded as the biggest of its kind in the world.

Vietnam’s remarkable booth design, the participation of many businesses and localities, a variety of promotional activities showcasing the country’s tourism offerings and unique artistic performances have drawn the attention of numerous international organisers, partners, visitors, and journalists.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Administration of Tourism recently convened to discuss prospective collaborative initiatives to support the promotion of Vietnam’s tourism abroad and aid the recovery of the post-pandemic tourism industry. Through this meeting, they sought to identify ways to boost the country’s tourism sector and provide assistance to the industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has suggested prioritizing the development of both inbound and outbound tourism, with a special focus on ensuring the rights and interests of Vietnamese individuals travelling overseas. VNAT is committed to ensuring that all Vietnamese travelers have a safe and enjoyable experience.

In addition to the more popular forms of tourism, such as ecotourism, island tourism, and MICE tourism, it is important to also consider promoting and advertising cultural and culinary tourism. Culinary tourism offers international tourists a unique and immersive way to learn more about Vietnam and its culture. By experiencing the local cuisine, visitors can get a taste of the local culture and gain a deeper understanding of the country.