International arrivals to Vietnam surge strongly in early months of 2026
Open visa policies and expanded direct flight routes have created a driving force a strong surge in international visitors and maintaining record growth momentum in the first two months of 2026.
According to data released by the National Statistics Office on March 6, the number of international arrivals rose 18.1% compared with the same period last year, indicating that Vietnam remains an increasingly attractive destination for global travelers
In February alone, Vietnam welcomed more than 2.2 million international visitors. Although the figure was down 9.2% month on month due to seasonal factors and the Lunar New Year holiday period, it still represented a strong year-on-year increase of 17.7 %.
The growth in visitor numbers also supported tourism-related revenue. Travel service revenue in the first two months was estimated at approximately VND15 trillion, up 12.2% compared with the same period last year. The increase was driven by both rising international arrivals and strong domestic tourism demand.
Tourism activity expanded across several major destinations. Tourism revenue increased significantly in provinces and cities including Ca Mau, Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, reflecting the broad recovery of the industry nationwide.
Industry observers attribute the continued growth in international arrivals to more favourable visa policies, stronger tourism promotion efforts and improvements in tourism products and service quality. These measures have helped Vietnam strengthen its position as a competitive destination in the regional tourism market.
Hai Phong News