Vietnam’s tourism recovery rate has reached 98% of pre-pandemic levels, surpassing other regional destinations such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.
Vietnam’s Tourism Recovery Outpaces the Region
According to the National Tourism Administration, Vietnam led Southeast Asia in tourism recovery in 2024. The country welcomed 17.6 million international visitors last year, marking a 98% recovery compared to pre-pandemic figures in 2019. In contrast, other renowned tourism hubs in the region reported lower recovery rates—Thailand (88%), Singapore (86%), and the Philippines (72%).
With this strong rebound, Vietnam ranked third in the region for international tourist arrivals in 2024, surpassing Singapore (16.5 million). Thailand led with 35 million visitors, followed by Malaysia (24.5 million). Other notable figures include Indonesia (14 million) and the Philippines (6 million).
Ambitious Targets for 2025
For 2025, Vietnam aims to attract between 22 and 23 million international tourists. Experts acknowledge that this is an ambitious goal, but they also view it as an opportunity to solidify tourism as a key economic driver.
Vietnam reopened its borders to international travelers on March 15, 2022. Since then, the industry has shown remarkable recovery, growing from 3.7 million visitors in 2022 to 12.6 million in 2023 and 17.6 million in 2024. At its peak in 2019, Vietnam welcomed nearly 18 million international tourists.
Phu Quoc – A Top Destination in 2025 Phu Quoc has emerged as the most sought-after destination among international travelers for 2025. The island has seen a 266% increase in accommodation searches compared to 2024. Visitors from South Korea and Taiwan have shown particular interest in Phu Quoc as their preferred getaway in Vietnam.