Vietnam aims to attract 17-18 million international tourists by 2024, as stated by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
| Sunrise at Ha Long Bay. Photo: Thuy Edna |
It is expected that the total tourism revenue in 2024 will reach VND 840 trillion (US$34.6 billion), which is 1.25 times the total revenue in 2023 and 1.2 times the figure in 2019.
To achieve these targets, the VNAT will carry out key programs and initiatives, develop sustainable tourism action plans, implement the action program set by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and promote the development of new tourism products.
In addition, the VNAT will conduct thematic tourism marketing campaigns, establish a national tourism database, and launch promotional activities at both domestic and international levels.
Despite the significant recovery this year, the global travel industry still faces difficulties and challenges in the coming year due to unpredictable global conditions, slow economic growth, rising inflation, and ongoing conflicts in some regions.
According to forecasts by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), international tourism activity could fully recover by the end of 2024 and reach the levels seen in 2019. However, the rate of recovery will vary by region.
International tourists have changing demands, seeking experiential, diverse, and unique products. Group travel trends are gradually returning, and Vietnam is one of the destinations that attract global attention. Data from Black Tomato, a travel company based in London (UK) and New York (USA), show that 30% of their customers are groups of eight or more people. Popular trips include exploring safaris in Botswana, cruising the Nile on a classic Egyptian boat, or experiencing a cruise in Vietnam.
| Vietnam inbound tourism meets 2023 targets. Photo: Pham Hung/ The Hanoi Times |
In 2023, Vietnam welcomed 12.6 million visitors, surpassing the initial target of eight million and reaching 70% of the figure before the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2019, said Nguyen Trung Khanh, chairman of the Vietnam National Authority for Tourism.
He further mentioned that Vietnam had expected to receive visits from 102 million domestic tourists in 2023, and by the end of the year, the actual number exceeded expectations, reaching 108 million tourists, surpassing the 85 million recorded in 2019.
