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| Foreign tourists celebrate Vietnam's National Day in Ho Chi Minh City __Photo: VNA |
Vietnam welcomed nearly 2 million international visitors in August, up 19.7 per cent from July and 18.4 per cent year-on-year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
In the first eight months of this year, the country received nearly 16 million foreign visitors, an increase of 14.4 per cent from the same period in 2025 and equivalent to 63.6 per cent of the full-year target.
The August figure is notable as the month is usually considered part of the low season for international tourism. The result shows that the country’s tourism market continued to maintain and expand its appeal. Air travel remained the main mode of entry, accounting for 83 per cent of international arrivals, while arrivals by road continued to increase, particularly from neighbouring countries.
By region, Asia was still Vietnam's largest source market, with about 11.8 million visitors in the eight-month period, making up nearly 74 per cent of the total and increasing 7.4 per cent year-on-year.
Europe recorded the strongest growth among major regions, at 53.4 per cent, with about 2.68 million visitors. Arrivals from the Americas reached around 887,000, up 20.7 per cent, while those from Oceania rose 23.3 per cent to nearly 489,000. Africa sent about 45,000 visitors to Vietnam, up 25.1 per cent.
The tourism authority said the figures show that Vietnam is expanding its reach beyond nearby Asian markets, with strong growth from long-haul markets, helping diversify the visitor base and reduce dependence on individual markets.
By country, China remained Vietnam's largest source market, with 3.54 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3 per cent of the total. The Republic of Korea ranked second with approximately 2.76 million visitors, or 17.3 per cent. Together, the two markets provided more than 6.3 million visitors, nearly 40 per cent of the country's total.
Russia ranked third with more than 1 million visitors, representing a year-on-year increase of about 165.7 per cent, the highest growth among major source markets.
Other key markets also posted strong growth. Visitors from the US increased 20.4 per cent, Cambodia 41.5 per cent, Japan 9.2 per cent, the Philippines 58.8 per cent and Australia 23.3 per cent.
European markets continued to perform well, with arrivals from the UK rising 9.8 per cent, France 13.4 per cent, Germany 15.1 per cent, Sweden 25.1 per cent, Switzerland 27 per cent, Poland 51.2 per cent and the Czech Republic 28.2 per cent. In Southeast Asia, tourists from Malaysia grew 20.5 per cent, Singapore 31.7 per cent, and Indonesia 26.7 per cent.
India was another fast-growing market. The number of Indian visitors rose from just 102,000 in 2019 to more than 612,000 in the first eight months of 2026. The expansion of direct air services between major Indian cities and Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang has helped make Vietnam more accessible to Indian travellers.
The Russian market has also rebounded strongly, supported by Vietnam's growing appeal as a safe and attractive Asian destination and the resumption and expansion of charter flights connecting major Russian cities with Vietnamese beach destinations.
The tourism authority said the results demonstrate positive growth in both visitor numbers and market diversity. With nearly 16 million international arrivals in eight months and the peak year-end travel season ahead, Vietnam is well placed to move closer to its yearly target of 25 million international visitors.- (VNA/VLLF)
