Information from the National Tourism Administration shows that in December 2023, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached nearly 1.4 million people, an increase of 11.2% compared to the previous month.

To achieve the set targets, the VNAT will implement key programs and initiatives, develop sustainable tourism action plans, implement the action program set by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and promote the development of new tourism products.

The VNAT will also conduct thematic tourism marketing campaigns, establish a national tourism database, and roll out promotional activities at both the domestic and international levels.

Tourists visit Ngoc Son Temple (Hoan Kiem). Photo: Hoai Nam

The VNAT said despite the significant recovery this year, the global travel industry still faces difficulties and challenges in the coming year due to unpredictable global conditions, slow economic growth, rising inflation, and conflicts in some regions that show no signs of abating.

Total tourism revenue in 2024 is expected to reach VND840 trillion (US$34.6 billion), 1.25 times the total revenue in 2023 and 1.2 times the figure in 2019.

Leading the market for visitors to Vietnam is still South Korea with approximately 3.6 million visitors (accounting for 28% of the total number of visitors). Secondly, it is the Chinese market with over 1.74 million visits. The total two markets, Korea and China, account for 42% of international visitors to Vietnam.

Markets in Europe have good growth rates such as the UK at 48.6%, France at approximately 52%, Germany at 48.6%, Spain at 90%, and Italy at 68%,... compared to the same period in 2022.

The number of tourists gradually recovering has led to the revenue from accommodation and food services in 2023 being estimated at 673.5 trillion VND. Travel tourism revenue is estimated at 37.8 trillion VND and increased by 52.5% compared to the previous year.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Pham Van Thuy assessed that some major markets also have a very good level of recovery: America (96%), Korea (84%), Taiwan (92%), Thailand Lan (96%); and Indonesia (99%).

In particular, some Southeast Asian markets are even higher than before the pandemic: Cambodia (176%); Laos (122%); and Singapore (106%), the Indian market also had an impressive recovery (231%).

With its achievements, Vietnam's tourism industry has received 19 top awards in the world and 54 top awards in Asia by the World Travel Awards (WTA).

According to forecasts by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), international tourism activity could fully recover by the end of 2024, reaching 2019 levels. However, the rate of recovery will vary by region.

From the success in attracting tourists in 2023, the tourism industry aims to strive to welcome 17-18 million international visitors by 2024. Total revenue from tourists reached about 840 trillion VND.

The demands of international tourists are constantly changing, with a focus on experiential, diverse, and unique products. Group travel trends are gradually returning, and Vietnam is one of the destinations attracting global attention. Data from Black Tomato, a travel company based in London (UK) and New York (USA), showed that 30% of their customers are groups of eight or more people. Popular trips include exploring safaris in Botswana, cruising the Nile on a classic Egyptian boat, or experiencing a cruise in Vietnam.

In 2023, Vietnam welcomed 12.6 million visitors, surpassing the initial target of eight million and reaching 70% of the figure before the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, said Nguyen Trung Khanh, chairman of the Vietnam National Authority for Tourism.

He said Vietnam had expected between 102 million domestic tourists to make trips in 2023, and by the end of the year, the actual number was 108 million, surpassing the 85 million recorded in 2019.

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