Foreign tourists visiting the Tu Hieu Pagoda in Hue City.

Vietnam receives a record-high 6.7 million foreign arrivals in Q1

HANOI (VNS/ANN) -- Vietnam’s tourism sector has recorded its strongest first-quarter performance on record, welcoming 6.76 million international visitors in the first three months of 2026, up 12.4 percent year-on-year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
In March alone, the country received nearly 2.1 million foreign arrivals, marking the third consecutive month that inbound tourism exceeded the 2-million threshold – also an unprecedented milestone for the sector.
The figures underscore Vietnam’s growing appeal, resilience and strengthening position as a global travel destination amid an increasingly uncertain international landscape.
Of the total arrivals in the first quarter, air travel accounted for 82.3 percent, followed by land routes at 15.5 percent and sea travel at 2.2 percent.
The still-dominance of air transport highlights Vietnam’s strong pull among medium- and long-haul markets – segments often most affected by geopolitical tensions and rising fuel costs.
Despite disruptions to some international flight routes caused by conflict in the Middle East and higher oil prices, air arrivals remained robust. This reflects not only improved connectivity but also growing international confidence in Vietnam as a safe, stable, and accessible destination.
Land arrivals, meanwhile, continue to be driven by neighbouring markets such as China, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. These markets provide a stable buffer thanks to their proximity, lower travel costs and flexible travel patterns.
In an era where security concerns increasingly shape travel decisions, safety has become a decisive factor. Vietnam’s political stability and social order have helped position it as a reliable choice for international travellers.
Beyond safety, the country’s diverse tourism assets and rich cultural identity remain key attractions. The rise of experiential, green and locally immersive travel trends aligns well with Vietnam’s strengths, further boosting its competitiveness.
China and South Korea continued to lead as Vietnam’s largest source markets in the first quarter, with 1.4 million and 1.3 million visitors respectively, accounting for around 40 percent of total arrivals.
Southeast Asian markets posted strong growth, including Malaysia (+21.5 percent), Singapore (+30.2 percent), Cambodia (+41.1 percent), Indonesia (+43.9 percent) and the Philippines (+69.3 percent), while Thailand saw a modest increase of 6.5 percent.
India posted an impressive growth of 69.3 percent, highlighting the vast potential of this South Asian market.
Europe emerged as a standout region, with overall arrivals rising 55.6 percent. Notably, long-haul markets from Europe continued to grow in March despite aviation disruptions linked to Middle East tensions.
Other markets also recorded solid increases, including Russia (with a whopping +163.4 percent), Canada (+24.2 percent), New Zealand (+19.4 percent), Poland (+19.2 percent), Switzerland (+18.9 percent), Australia (+18.4 percent), the United States (+17.0 percent), Denmark (+13.9 percent), Germany (+15.2 percent) and Norway (+12.0 percent).
These figures indicate that Vietnam is not only expanding in scale but also diversifying its source markets, enhancing long-term sustainability.
In 2026, Vietnam’s tourism sector is aiming for a breakthrough year, targeting 25 million international arrivals and 150 million domestic trips, with total revenue projected at VNĐ1.125 quadrillion.
Leaders of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism said the target is grounded in the sector’s remarkable growth in recent years. International arrivals to Vietnam are currently increasing by around 22 per cent annually – far outpacing the global tourism growth average of 5 per cent and significantly exceeding the Asia-Pacific average of 8 per cent.
Notably, compared with the pre-pandemic period, Vietnam’s tourism has rebounded to more than 110 percent, while the Asia-Pacific region has recovered to only about 90 per cent on average.
Tourism officials attribute the strong performance to a combination of policy measures and promotional efforts.
Expanded visa exemptions, longer stays, additional entry points for e-visas and increased international flight frequencies have all contributed to the sector’s growth.

(Latest Update April 6, 2026)