Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5 per cent from the same period last year, according to the Statistics Office. The figure represents nearly 71 per cent of the country's target of 25 million international arrivals for the year.
Air travel accounted for the largest share, at 83.2 per cent. However, arrivals by road rose 29.9 per cent, suggesting growing visitor flows from neighbouring countries through land border gates.
China remained the largest source market, with more than 3.953 million visitors, up 1.5 per cent year on year.
Chinese tourists enjoy dinner at sunset in Phu Quoc (Photo: DY).
South Korea ranked second, although arrivals continued to decline. More than 3 million South Korean visitors travelled to Vietnam during the period, down 5.5 per cent from the first nine months of 2025.
In Southeast Asia, arrivals from the Philippines and Cambodia posted particularly strong growth, rising 55 per cent and more than 40 per cent respectively.
Visitors from Singapore and Malaysia also increased, by 29.8 per cent and 18.1 per cent respectively compared with the same period last year.
European arrivals surge
Europe was among the fastest-growing source regions in the first nine months, with more than 2.95 million visitors, up 55 per cent year on year and well above the overall growth rate of 14.5 per cent.
Several major European markets recorded solid gains. The UK contributed 299,643 arrivals, up 9.7 per cent, while France recorded 276,817, up 13.6 per cent, and Germany 239,429, up 16.1 per cent.
The strong growth from European markets is particularly significant because visitors from the region tend to spend more and stay longer, while showing strong demand for cultural and heritage attractions, nature, cuisine, resorts and immersive experiences.
Russia stood out, with arrivals soaring 160.6 per cent to 1.134 million in the first nine months.
Visitor numbers from other regions also increased, with arrivals from Oceania rising 21 per cent, the Americas 20 per cent and Africa 29.4 per cent.
The broader growth is helping Vietnam diversify its international visitor base and could create further room for expansion in the months ahead.
