The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has set an ambitious target of welcoming 18 million international tourists in 2024, marking a significant rebound in the industry. January arrival figures have already demonstrated a remarkable recovery, returning to pre-pandemic levels and hinting at a promising year ahead.
January’s Impressive Performance:
In January, Vietnam witnessed a substantial surge in international tourist arrivals, exceeding 1.5 million visitors. This figure mirrors the statistics from January 2019, signifying a remarkable 73.6% year-on-year increase and a notable 10.3% rise compared to December.
Boost from Visa Exemptions:
The tourism agency attributes this positive trend to the recent implementation of unilateral visa exemptions for 13 European countries. These exemptions have extended the duration of visa-free visits from 15 days to 45 days, resulting in a considerable influx of tourists. Notably, countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Russia experienced robust growth in January.
Top Source Markets:
South Korea retained its position as Vietnam’s largest source market in January, contributing to 27.6% of all arrivals. Following closely were mainland China and Taiwan. Meanwhile, the Americas witnessed a growth of 27.3%, Europe recorded a 26.6% increase, Africa experienced a 35.2% rise, and Australia saw an impressive 68.5% surge in visitation.
2024 Projections:
Looking ahead, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has set a target of welcoming 18 million international arrivals in 2024. The focus is not only on international tourism but also on domestic travel, with an ambitious projection of 110 million domestic tourism trips. The anticipated total revenue from the tourism industry is expected to reach an impressive US$34.4 billion.
Vietnam’s tourism industry is poised for a remarkable comeback in 2024, fueled by robust January performance, strategic visa exemptions, and ambitious targets set by the tourism agency. The nation’s ability to adapt and implement visitor-friendly policies, coupled with diverse source markets, bodes well for a thriving tourism sector in the coming year.