European visitor surge boosts Vietnam's tourism growth in first 7 months
VOV.VN - A sharp rise in visitors from Europe, led by Russia and supported by Vietnam's visa-free policies, helped drive the country's international arrivals to nearly 13.9 million in the first seven months of 2026, up 13.8% year on year.
Europe was Vietnam's strongest-performing source region during the January-July period, with visitor arrivals rising by an average of 53.4% compared with the same period last year, the National Statistics Office reported on August 3.
Russia was the standout market, recording 864,000 arrivals, up 174% year on year and more than double its pre-pandemic level in 2019.
Tourism authorities attributed the surge to the resumption of direct flights, expanded flight frequencies and growing demand among Russian travelers for beach holidays in Vietnam.
Other European markets also posted robust growth, including Poland (51.3%), the Czech Republic (28.6%), Sweden (24.7%) and Switzerland (21.7%).
Most of these markets benefit from Vietnam's visa exemption policy, underscoring the role of easier entry procedures in attracting long-haul travelers who typically stay longer and spend more.
According to the National Statistics Office, Vietnam welcomed nearly 13.9 million international visitors in the seven-month period, an increase of 13.8% compared with the same period last year. The country received approximately 1.67 million foreign visitors in July alone, up 6.6% year on year. The January-July figure represents around 56% of Vietnam's annual target of welcoming 25 million international visitors.
Despite Europe's rapid growth, China was Vietnam’s largest source market with about 3.1 million visitors, accounting for 22.2% of total international arrivals.
The Republic of Korea ranked second with 2.4 million visitors, followed by Russia. Other leading source markets included Taiwan (China), Japan, Cambodia, India, the Philippines, the United States and Australia.
In Asia, the Philippines led in growth rate with a 63.6% increase. Other markets saw positive results, namely India (up 42.9%), Cambodia (up 40.8%), Singapore (up 31.0%), Indonesia (up 27.3%), and Malaysia (up 21.6%). The figures showed that Asia was a key growth driver for Vietnam’s tourism industry, thanks to geographical proximity, expanding flight network, and rising intra-regional travel demand.
Long-haul markets had steady growth momentum as the United States rose by 18.3%, Canada by 25.1%, Australia by 22.5%, and New Zealand by 22.4%. Growth in these high-spending markets not only contributed to increased visitor numbers but also enhanced the tourism sector's value through longer stays and higher average spending.
With over 13.9 million foreign arrivals in the opening seven months, Vietnam achieved 56% of its full-year target. As the country enters the peak season for international tourism and continues to leverage favourable visa policies, the tourism industry is well-positioned to maintain its growth momentum and work toward the goal of welcoming 25 million international visitors in 2026.
Foreign tourists go viral for trying construction work in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta
VOV.VN - A video showing a group of foreign tourists trying construction work in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta is drawing widespread attention online, surpassing 4 million views on TikTok and sparking lively reactions.
