Vietnam Exceeds 2022 Foreign Tourist Target by Welcoming 3.7 Million Visitors in Four Months

Vietnam welcomes some 3.7 million foreign tourists in the first four months of 2023. Photo: Ha Noi Moi

In April, the country welcomed over 980,000 international travelers – the highest number recorded this year. This marks a 9.9% increase from the previous month and a staggering 9.7-fold increase compared to the same period in 2020. Vietnam’s tourism industry is clearly on the rise!

The Republic of Korea remained the largest source of holidaymakers to Vietnam, with one million visitors, followed by the US with 263,000 and China with 252,000 travellers.

The number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam in April skyrocketed to 112,000, up 61.5% from the previous month, largely due to China’s resumption of group tours from March 15.

This year, Vietnam strives to welcome an impressive 110 million tourists, including 8 million foreigners, and earn a whopping VND650 trillion ($27.7 billion) from the tourism sector.

Since the beginning of 2021, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), in collaboration with localities and businesses, has launched a variety of initiatives to promote tourism to potential partners and markets.

Notably, “A Tourist’s Guide to Love,” a Hollywood film shot in Vietnam, ranked third on the list of globally most-watched movies on Netflix. This heartfelt flick is sure to inspire more travelers to explore the beauty and culture of Vietnam.

“A tourist’s guide to love” is a Hollywood film shot in Vietnam. Photo: Netflix

Netflix reported that from April 17 to April 23, it attracted a total of 13.4 million viewing hours across 78 countries and regions around the world. This includes countries and regions in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Vietnam’s picturesque tourist hotspots, such as Ben Thanh Market, the Temple of Literature, Hoi An Ancient Town, and others, are prominently featured in the film.

The film not only showcases the stunning beauty of Vietnam to international audiences, but also encourages international tourists to visit the Southeast Asian nation, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

The Government of Vietnam has recently proposed to the National Assembly a series of new policies concerning the immigration, transit, and residence of foreigners in the country. Most notably, the visa extension has been extended to 90 days, offering visitors an inviting opportunity to explore the country’s warm hospitality and support for international guests. This visa relaxation will attract more tourists to Vietnam and provide a much-needed boost to the tourism industry.