Vietnam Receives 19.5 Million International Visitors as Europe Drives Growth and Year-End Target Looms

Europe supplies the biggest increase as Vietnam approaches 20 million arrivals

Vietnam received an estimated 19.535 million international visitors between January and October 2026, up 13.8% from the same period in 2025, according to figures released by the National Statistics Office on November 3. European arrivals supplied the largest increase, even though Asia continued to account for nearly three quarters of all visitors.

The country has reached about 78% of its target of 25 million international arrivals for 2026. Using the detailed total, Vietnam needs another 5.465 million arrivals in November and December, or about 2.73 million each month. That would require a faster pace than October, when arrivals reached 1.854 million.

October brought growth of 4.9% from September and about 7% from October 2025. Beneath that national increase, however, Vietnam's two largest visitor markets weakened: arrivals from mainland China fell slightly during the month, while those from South Korea dropped nearly 14% compared with a year earlier.

The result is a tourism industry growing through a changing mix of visitors. Russia and several Southeast Asian countries are contributing strongly, while South Korea presents a more difficult picture. Easier entry, direct flights and cultural events are central to the government's effort to sustain demand through the final two months.

How demanding is the 25 million target?

Vietnam's target requires more than maintaining October's performance. The approximately 2.73 million arrivals needed in each remaining month would be about 47% above October's 1.854 million. It would also exceed January's reported record of 2.4 million by roughly 14%.

Two months matching January would bring another 4.8 million arrivals, taking the annual total to about 24.34 million. That would leave Vietnam roughly 665,000 short of its goal. November and December therefore need to deliver more than a repeat of the strongest month reported so far.

The target was established after Vietnam welcomed 21.2 million international visitors in 2025. Reaching 25 million would mean adding 3.8 million arrivals, an increase of about 17.9%. The current growth rate of 13.8% puts the country ahead of last year, while leaving a substantial acceleration necessary to meet the annual ambition.

The main dates trace how the policy effort and visitor totals have developed:

• August 15, 2025: Citizens of 12 additional European countries became eligible for stays of 45 days without a visa.
• January 20, 2026: Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh announced work on proposals for more open entry policies.
• January 2026: International arrivals reached a reported monthly record of 2.4 million.
• October 2026: Vietnam received 1.854 million arrivals, taking the total for the first 10 months to 19.535 million.
• November 3, 2026: The latest statistics and tourism market assessments were released.
• November and December 2026: Vietnam needs approximately 5.47 million more arrivals to reach 25 million.

Why Europe matters more to growth

Europe sent about 3.22 million visitors to Vietnam during the first 10 months, an increase of 51.5%. That represented roughly 1.09 million additional arrivals compared with the same period in 2025, exceeding Asia's increase of about 992,000.

Asia remained much larger, with approximately 14.61 million arrivals and growth of 7.3%. Europe accounted for about 16.5% of the national total, yet produced more additional visitors than the region supplying nearly 75% of arrivals. For tourism businesses, the opportunity is widening beyond Vietnam's largest nearby markets.

Russia was the strongest contributor to Europe's expansion. Arrivals reached approximately 1.254 million, up 150%, making Russia Vietnam's third largest source market and its largest in Europe. A rise of 150% means the total was two and a half times the previous year's figure.

Poland also recorded strong growth of 45.8%. Switzerland increased 23.1%, the Czech Republic 21.9% and Sweden 21.4%. Those gains spread Europe's contribution across several countries, although Russia remained the largest European market by a wide margin.

South Korea weakens while China remains the largest market

China supplied approximately 4.386 million arrivals during the first 10 months, retaining first place. South Korea followed with about 3.371 million, despite a decline of 6.3% from the same period in 2025. Together, the two countries accounted for nearly 40% of Vietnam's international arrivals.

South Korea's position makes its decline particularly consequential. A large market can continue filling hotels and flights while sending fewer visitors than before. Vietnam's tourism authority has called for policy measures, promotion and new tourism products to maintain competitiveness among Korean travelers.

October showed further pressure. Mainland China sent more than 432,000 visitors, down 0.2% compared with October 2025, while South Korea supplied about 311,000, down nearly 14%. China's total for the first 10 months was still up about 1.4%, illustrating how a weak month can sit within a period of modest growth.

Pham Hai Quynh, director of the Asia Tourism Development Institute, attributed part of the Korean decline to competition from China and Japan. Yanolja Research recorded increases of 16% to 18% in Korean visits to those destinations during the first half of the year. Vietnam is competing for travelers who have several accessible alternatives.

China Trading Desk, a travel research and marketing company, also lowered its forecast for Chinese outbound travel in 2026 to about 179 million trips, nearly 3% below its previous estimate. That weaker outlook adds pressure to Vietnam's largest source market.

Nearby markets broaden the visitor base

The Philippines sent 579,200 visitors to Vietnam, an increase of 52.4%, while Cambodia supplied about 787,100, up 43.2%. Singapore contributed 387,600 arrivals, rising 28.9%, and Indonesia recorded growth of 27.1%. These markets helped offset weakness elsewhere in Asia.

India supplied approximately 744,600 visitors, up 29.5%. Japan contributed about 757,500, with growth of 11.6%. Taiwan remained the fourth largest source market, with roughly 1.07 million arrivals, followed by the United States with 808,700.

Australia sent 543,000 visitors, up 21.3%, while arrivals from New Zealand increased 22.9%. Across Oceania, arrivals reached about 602,700, growing 21.5%. The Americas supplied approximately 1.04 million, up 18.1%, and Africa contributed about 59,900, an increase of 30.7%.

Africa's growth rate was faster than Asia's, but its visitor total was far smaller. The national result depends on both the size of a market and how quickly it grows. Vietnam's current expansion combines large established markets with smaller countries delivering rapid increases.

October reveals a less even recovery

October's national increase came alongside declines in several European markets. Arrivals from the Czech Republic fell nearly 22% compared with the same month in 2025. The United Kingdom, France, Germany and some Eastern European countries recorded decreases ranging from 5% to 19%.

Nguyen Tien Dat, chief executive of AZA Travel, suggested that political instability in France and elsewhere in the region might have discouraged some European travel. His explanation concerns possible reasons for the monthly weakness, while Europe's cumulative figures still showed strong expansion.

Russian arrivals increased about 80% in October. Cambodia, Japan, the Philippines and Australia recorded gains ranging from 25% to 65%. The United States, Taiwan and India posted smaller monthly increases of 0.7%, 2.9% and 4.6%, respectively.

Vietnam's October total was nevertheless between 10% and 32% below the monthly totals recorded from January through April. The country entered its final stretch with growth compared with October 2025, but less volume than during the busy opening months of 2026.

Flights dominate, while land arrivals grow faster

Air travel brought approximately 16.253 million international arrivals during the first 10 months, accounting for 83.2% of the total. Land crossings supplied 3.027 million, or 15.5%, while arrivals by sea reached 255,200, about 1.3%.

Land arrivals grew 27.1%, faster than arrivals by air and nearly twice the national growth rate of 13.8%. Vietnam's tourism expansion is therefore reaching beyond airports, even as aviation remains the main way international visitors enter the country.

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism identified expanded direct connections with international tourism hubs as a supporting factor. A direct flight removes the need to change planes, making a destination easier to reach and allowing travelers to compare simpler itineraries.

Transport and entry rules have developed together during Vietnam's tourism recovery. The country received 17.5 million international visitors in 2024. Its total for just the first 10 months of 2026 is already about 2 million higher than that full year.

Easier entry and concerts support demand

The National Statistics Office attributed tourism growth to security and public order, favorable visa policies, stronger promotion and a wider range of tourism products. It also identified Vietnam's landscapes, cultural heritage, cuisine and affordable travel costs as attractions.

Vietnam's wider visa waiver plans build on changes already introduced in 2025. Citizens of 12 additional European countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, became eligible for stays of 45 days without a visa from August 15, 2025, under Resolution 229/NQ-CP. That arrangement runs through August 14, 2028.

Polish, Czech and Swiss travelers also gained flexibility when the requirement to book through licensed Vietnamese tour operators was removed. Eligible independent travelers could use the exemption as well. Visitors needing a longer stay have the option of an electronic visa valid for 90 days, allowing either one entry or multiple entries.

Hanoi's entertainment calendar supplied another draw. The statistics office identified two October concerts by South Korean group BigBang as activities helping attract international visitors. For travelers attending a concert, the event can anchor a trip that also includes accommodation, meals and visits to other destinations. The office gave no figure for how many international arrivals were connected to the performances.

Promotion continues as the wider economy expands

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism plans further promotional programs in China, South Korea, India and Russia during the remaining months of 2026. Those choices cover the largest market, a major market in decline and two countries contributing strong growth.

The authority has also called on local governments and tourism businesses to coordinate cultural and tourism events, refresh products and improve service quality. Its stated aim is to attract more visitors before the end of the year while supporting growth in 2027.

Tourism's expansion accompanies broader economic growth. The national economic report put retail sales and consumer service revenue at VND 6,618.9 trillion for the first 10 months, up 13.5% at current prices. Because current prices include price changes, that measure combines changes in spending volumes with changes in what goods and services cost.

Industrial production increased 12.4% over the same period. Goods exports and imports together reached $1,010.55 billion, up 32.3%, with imports growing faster than exports and leaving a trade deficit of $12.07 billion. Registered foreign investment reached $54.85 billion by October 31, while investment actually carried out totaled $24.08 billion.

For tourism businesses, the immediate task is more specific: convert easier access, events and promotion into enough bookings to sustain a strong finish. European growth and rising Southeast Asian demand provide support, while South Korea's decline and the scale of the remaining target make November and December decisive.

Key Points

• Vietnam received an estimated 19.535 million international arrivals from January through October 2026, up 13.8%.
• About 5.47 million more arrivals are needed in November and December to reach the annual target of 25 million.
• Europe supplied 3.22 million visitors and approximately 1.09 million additional arrivals, the largest regional contribution to growth.
• China remained the largest source market. South Korea ranked second, despite a decline of 6.3%.
• Russian arrivals rose 150% to approximately 1.254 million, making Russia the third largest source market.
• Air travel accounted for 83.2% of arrivals, while land arrivals increased 27.1%.
• Tourism promotion will focus on China, South Korea, India and Russia during the remaining months of 2026.