Vietnam welcomed nearly 2 million international visitors in August, marking a 19.7% increase from July and 18.4% year-on-year. The cumulative total for the first eight months reached nearly 16 million tourists, equivalent to 63.6% of the country’s annual target of 25 million. August typically falls within the low season for international tourism, making the robust figures indicative of sustained market strength.
Air travel remained the dominant entry method, accounting for 83% of international arrivals. Road travel showed notable growth, particularly from neighboring countries. Asia continued to lead as the largest source region, with 11.8 million visitors through August, representing 74% of the total and a 7.4% year-on-year rise.
Regional and Country-Level Growth
Europe posted the strongest growth among major regions, with a 53.4% increase to approximately 2.68 million visitors. The Americas saw arrivals rise 20.7% to 887,000, while Oceania grew 23.3% to nearly 489,000. Africa contributed 45,000 tourists, up 25.1%.
China remained Vietnam’s largest source market with 3.54 million visitors, or 22.3% of the total. South Korea followed with 2.76 million (17.3%). Russia ranked third with over 1 million visitors, surging 165.7% year-on-year. The U.S. increased 20.4%, Cambodia 41.5%, Japan 9.2%, the Philippines 58.8%, and Australia 23.3%.
European markets showed broad-based growth. The U.K. rose 9.8%, France 13.4%, Germany 15.1%, Sweden 25.1%, Switzerland 27%, Poland 51.2%, and the Czech Republic 28.2%. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia grew 20.5%, Singapore 31.7%, and Indonesia 26.7%.
India emerged as a fast-growing market, with visitors increasing from 102,000 in 2019 to over 612,000 in the first eight months of 2026. Direct flights to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang from major Indian cities have improved accessibility.
Market Diversification and Future Outlook
The expansion into long-haul markets reflects Vietnam’s efforts to diversify its tourism base and reduce reliance on individual regions. Russian travelers have rebounded significantly, supported by expanded charter flights to coastal destinations.
For Vietnam’s tourism industry, this diversification suggests resilience and adaptability. The range of growing markets, from India to Europe, indicates that Vietnam’s appeal extends beyond traditional Asian routes, potentially stabilizing income streams and creating more balanced regional contributions. With the peak year-end season approaching, the current trajectory positions the country to approach its 25 million annual target.
Photo: A view of beach city Nha Trang in central Vietnam.