Hanoi witnessed a significant surge in foreign tourist arrivals, with nearly 500,000 visitors in February, marking an impressive 29.6% increase compared to the previous year. This information was revealed by the Hanoi Department of Tourism in their recent report on the city’s tourism performance for the month.
 Hanoi Ao Dai Tourism Festival 2024. Photo: Huy Pham |
In contrast, domestic tourism experienced a more modest growth, with 1.89 million visitors, representing a 5.3% year-on-year increase. The total tourism revenue for February is estimated at VND9.22 trillion ($360 million), reflecting a healthy 14.5% rise from the same period in 2024.
Looking at the cumulative performance for the first two months of 2025, Hanoi welcomed a total of 4.59 million visitors, indicating a solid 7.4% increase compared to the previous year. This comprised of 1.05 million international visitors, a notable 13.0% jump, and 3.54 million domestic tourists, which also saw a healthy increase of 5.8%. The total tourism revenue for this period reached an impressive VND18.25 trillion ($714 million), signifying a 9% growth rate compared to the same period in 2024.
The city’s hotels enjoyed a slight increase in occupancy rates, reaching 62.34% this month, which is 1.2% higher than the same period last year. Currently, Hanoi boasts 97 service facilities that have been recognized for their excellence in meeting tourism standards and catering to the needs of both tourists and locals. These include a diverse range of offerings such as 45 food and beverage outlets, 43 shopping venues, seven entertainment spots, and two healthcare service providers.
Dang Huong Giang, the Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, shared insights into their plans for March 2025. This includes the launch of the exciting “Get on Hanoi 2025” program and the announcement of the Hai Ba Trung Temple-Pagoda-Communal House as a special national relic on March 4. The department is also focused on developing new tourism products, conducting surveys, and organizing conferences to connect tourist destinations across different districts with local travel agencies, thereby enhancing the overall visitor experience.
 St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Nha Chung Street in Hoan Kiem District. Photo: Dung Dang/ Chuyen cua Ha Noi Group |
Additionally, Hanoi is set to introduce new and exciting tourism products to cater to a range of interests. These include heritage-focused experiential tourism at the Ha Mo tourist site in Dan Phuong District, a fascinating “Nam Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Road” route in Thanh Tri, Thuong Tin, and Phu Xuyen districts, community-based tourism that showcases the rich traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities in An Phu Commune (My Duc District), and rural agricultural tourism in Tich Giang Commune, Phuc Tho District, among others.
According to Hanoi’s recently launched tourism development strategy for 2030, the city aims to welcome 35-39 million tourists by 2025, including 8-9 million international visitors, with expected revenue reaching approximately VND151 trillion ($6.53 billion). By 2030, Hanoi hopes to further increase these numbers, targeting 48-49 million visitors, including 13-14 million foreigners.
Hanoi is committed to establishing tourism as its flagship economic sector, serving as a catalyst for growth in other areas. The city plans to leverage the latest technology and invest in qualified human resources to drive tourism growth and create a vibrant and sustainable industry.
To achieve these ambitious goals, local authorities will increase coordinated investment and allocate resources to tourism infrastructure, ensuring that Hanoi remains a must-visit destination for travelers from all over the world.
