(TITC) - The year 2023 witnessed a positive recovery of international tourist arrivals to Vietnam with the reception of 12.6 million international visitor arrivals, nearly 3.5 times higher than in 2022, 57% exceeding the target set at the beginning of 2023. This growth is also reflected in data on Google's global travel demand trends. Accordingly, synthesising data for the whole year 2023, the growth by destination country of Vietnam tourism at over 75%, ranked 6th in the world.
Figure 1. Vietnam ranked 6th in the world in top growth by destination country
Source: Google Destination Insights
Vietnam ranks above other countries in the region such as Thailand (10), Indonesia (11), Malaysia (12), Philippines (14).
The top 10 demand by origin country for Vietnam tourism include: United States, Australia, Japan, India, Korea, Singapore, England, Germany, Malaysia, Thailand.
Top demand by destination city include the two major centres Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi, as well as two famous sea tourism destinations: Da Nang and Phu Quoc pearl island. Next are Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Hue, Phan Thiet, and Dien Bien Phu.
Figure 2. Top demand by origin country for Vietnam tourism
Source: Google Destination Insights
To no surprise to the large attention from international tourists for Vietnam tourism since Vietnam has continuously received many prestigious international awards. In 2023, the World Travel Awards named Vietnam in 19 top award categories in the world and 54 top award categories in Asia. In particular, Vietnam was honoured as "The World's Leading Heritage Destination" for the 4th time, and "Asia's Leading Destination" for the 5th consecutive time. Along with that, many attractive destinations in Vietnam such as Ha Long, Ha Noi, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, Phu Quoc… have been recommended to international tourists by media agencies and international travel websites.
Notably, from 15th August 2023, Vietnam grants e-visas for citizens of all countries and territories with 90-day stay duration and valid for multiple entry. Vietnam's new visa policy effective from 15th August 2023 extends stay duration for 13 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days, regardless of passport type and entry purpose. This open policy is happily welcomed by the international community and is considered to be an important lever to promote the growth of international visitors to Vietnam in the coming period.
It is expected that in 2024, Vietnam tourism will make efforts to overcome difficulties and make good use of opportunities and advantages based on the results achieved recently to continue promoting the strong recovery of the international tourism market, realising the goal of welcoming 17 - 18 million international visitor arrivals.
Tourism Information Technology Center