China tops international arrivals to Vietnam in first half of 2026

According to the General Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam welcomed about 1.7 million international arrivals in June 2026, up 14.7% year-on-year. In the first six months of the year, international arrivals reached nearly 12.3 million, up 14.9% from the same period last year, meeting nearly half of the country's target of welcoming 25 million international visitors in 2026.

China was Vietnam's largest international visitor market, with 2.7 million arrivals, followed by South Korea with 2.16 million. Together, the two markets accounted for nearly 40% of total international arrivals. Although South Korea ranked first in some individual months, China remained the largest international visitor market over the first half of the year.

Vietnam's 10 largest international visitor markets were China, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, Cambodia, the United States, India, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, accounting for nearly 72% of total international arrivals.

Russia continued to post strong growth, with 742,700 arrivals in the first six months, up 185.8% year-on-year, maintaining its position as Vietnam's third-largest international visitor market. After just six months, the Russian market had surpassed many traditional markets and approached its full-year pre-pandemic level, reflecting the restoration and expansion of direct air services, along with growing demand for beach holidays.

Among the other major markets, Taiwan recorded more than 638,000 arrivals, followed by the United States with nearly 530,000, Cambodia with more than 509,000, India with more than 491,000 and Japan with 442,000.

Southeast Asia remained a key driver of Vietnam's tourism growth. The Philippines posted the fastest growth at 67.6%, followed by Cambodia at 41.2%, Singapore at 29.4%, Indonesia at 26.5%, Malaysia at 23.4% and Thailand at 10%.

Europe recorded the highest regional growth rate in the first six months of the year, at 56.1%. In addition to Russia, several Western and Northern European markets also posted solid growth, including Germany, up 16.1%; France, up 13.8%; the United Kingdom, up 10.7%; Italy, up 10.5%; Denmark, up 18.6%; and Sweden, up 23.8%.

In the second half of the year, Vietnam's tourism sector is expected to enter the peak season for visitors from Northeast Asia, Europe and North America. Continued tourism promotion, effective visa policies, expanded international air connectivity and improved tourism products and services are expected to lay a solid foundation for the sector to achieve its target of welcoming 25 million international visitors in 2026.

Hai Phong News