Việtnam Welcomes Nearly 4.7 Million International Visitors in First Two Months of 2026

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Việtnam welcomed nearly 4.7 million international tourists during the first two months of 2026, marking an 18.1 percent increase year-on-year, according to data released by the Việtnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).

Air travel remained the dominant mode of entry, with more than 3.83 million visitors arriving by air, accounting for 81.8 percent of total arrivals. Meanwhile, 15.8 percent entered via land borders, while sea travel represented 2.4 percent of the total.

In February alone, over 2.2 million foreign tourists visited the country, making it the third consecutive month that international arrivals exceeded the two-million mark, following 2.45 million arrivals in January 2026 and 2.02 million in December 2025.

Asian visitors continued to dominate the tourism market structure. During the two-month period, around 3.4 million tourists from Asia visited Việt Nam, accounting for 73 percent of total arrivals, an increase of more than 10.2 percent compared with the same period last year.

The Republic of Korea (RoK) remained Việt Nam’s largest source market, contributing approximately 971,000 visitors, up about 10 percent year-on-year. Tourism officials attributed the sustained growth to the popularity of Việt Nam’s beach destinations, golf tourism, and family travel, alongside convenient air connections between the two countries.

Mainland China ranked second with around 923,000 visitors, while Taiwan (China) contributed more than 220,000 arrivals. Together with Japan, these markets reinforced Northeast Asia’s position as a key source of international tourists to Việt Nam.

India emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets, with about 158,000 visitors recorded in the first two months of the year, reflecting a 71 percent increase year-on-year. Tourism authorities attributed the surge to expanded direct flight routes, stronger tourism promotion campaigns and growing outbound travel demand among India’s expanding middle class.

Within Southeast Asia, several markets also recorded strong growth. Visitor numbers from the Philippines rose by 72 percent, Singapore by 35 percent, Indonesia by 27 percent, and Malaysia by 16.5 percent. Cambodia posted the highest growth rate in the region, with arrivals rising 95.1 percent compared with the same period in 2025.

The European market also experienced a notable recovery, with 847,000 arrivals recorded in the first two months, representing a 67.4 percent increase year-on-year. Major markets showing positive growth included the United Kingdom (17.1 percent), France (19.8 percent) and Germany (17.5 percent).

Russia remained the largest European source market, sending 247,000 visitors to Việt Nam, a remarkable 212.5 percent increase year-on-year. Russian travelers are particularly attracted to Việt Nam’s coastal resorts such as Nha Trang, Phú Quốc and Phan Thiết–Mũi Né, where many opt for extended holiday stays.

Tourism authorities noted that the strong performance reflects Việt Nam’s expanding international connectivity, diversified tourism promotion strategies and growing appeal as a destination for beach holidays, family travel and leisure tourism.