Statistics from both domestic and international organisations for the first half of 2025 show that top destinations for Vietnamese tourists include Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan (China).

According to the National Statistics Office of Vietnam, nearly 4.1 million people chose outbound trips in the first six months of 2025, representing a 53.9% increase compared to the same period last year.

Thailand alone welcomed over 370,000 Vietnamese arrivals, down 26% year on year due to unfavourable reasons such as natural disasters and some protests. The neighbouring country has long been the first destination chosen by Vietnamese tourists thanks to its easy visa process, short travel time, abundant flight options, similar cuisine, and affordability.

Meanwhile, the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) reported, the opening five-month period of the year witnessed 311,000 Vietnamese visitors traveling to Japan, up 10% from the same period last year.

Vietnam now ranks 10th among the international source markets of Japan. Customised tours and self-guided tours are gradually gaining popularity among Vietnamese travelers compared to traditional package tours. In addition to major cities Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, tourists prefer to explore other localities which boast unique natural scenery and distinctive cultures.

Elsewhere, the Republic of Korea received more than 269,000 Vietnamese arrivals in the first half of 2025, up 10%. Despite the visa requirement and higher travel costs, the country remains attractive due to frequent direct flights, rich cuisine, diverse cultural experiences, and the enduring popularity of K-pop and Korean drama.

Taiwan (China) welcomed 114,000 Vietnamese tourists in the first four months of 2025, slightly up from 113,000 during the same period last year. Taiwan continues to pursue the Vietnamese market with visa-friendly policies and active tourism promotions.

According to major travel agencies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the surge in outbound tourism is driven by more flexible visa policies, stable tour and airfare prices, and a growing trend among young travellers to “check in” abroad.

While official data on Vietnamese travel to China and parts of Europe is not yet available, tour bookings for the April 30 holiday and summer 2025 suggest strong demand and early reservations. Many travel agencies report that international tours account for a significant share of bookings, indicating robust purchasing power and a sustained interest in global travel experiences.

More Vietnamese travelers favour trips abroad during national break

VOV.VN - Vietnamese interest in international travel during the upcoming five-day Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May Day)holiday has surged, according to data from digital travel platform Agoda.