This resurgence positioned Vietnam at the forefront, surpassing Malaysia (94%), Thailand (88%), Singapore (86%), Indonesia (86%), and the Philippines (72%) in recovery rates.

Last year alone, Vietnam saw an influx of about 17.5 million foreign visitors, a jump of 38.9% from the previous year. The domestic scene was equally vibrant, with 110 million local travelers, a 1.6% rise, contributing to a 23.85% increase in tourism revenue, reaching around VND840 trillion (US$33.19 billion).

This impressive growth can be credited to Vietnam's favourable visa policies, now offering visa exemptions to travelers from 25 countries. The introduction of a user-friendly e-visa portal has further eased the process for tourists, enhancing Vietnam's appeal as a destination.

Looking forward to 2025, Vietnam sets its sights on welcoming 23 million foreign visitors, with tourism expected to contribute 6-8% to the gross domestic product (GDP). Beyond boosting revenue, the sector is also creating jobs and uplifting community living standards.

To hit its target, experts advised focusing on high-potential markets such as China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, North America, India and the Middle East. Other strategies include targeting quality tourism markets with visa-free entry and convenient flight connections, and improving tourism infrastructure.

Vietnam to join global tourism recovery trend this year: insiders

The global tourism market is set to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2024, and Vietnam will not stand out from this trend, insiders have said.