According to the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam welcomed 8.8 million international visitors in the first four months of 2026, up 14.6 per cent year on year.
In contrast, Thailand recorded 11.3 million foreign arrivals in the same period, down 3.4 per cent compared to a year earlier.
Foreign visitors to Vietnam are drawn to exploring Halong Bay (Photo: DY).
Data since the COVID-19 pandemic show Vietnam steadily narrowing the gap. In the first quarter of 2019, Vietnam received 4.5 million international visitors, while Thailand attracted more than 10 million, over twice as many.
By the first quarter of 2026, the gap had shrunk significantly, with Thailand’s arrivals only 1.46 times higher than Vietnam’s.
Both countries rely heavily on Chinese tourists, but the balance is shifting. Before the pandemic in 2019, Thailand welcomed over 10 million Chinese visitors, compared with more than 5.8 million to Vietnam.
By 2025, Vietnam received over 5.2 million Chinese visitors, surpassing Thailand’s 4.6 million. In the first quarter of 2026, the figures were nearly equal at 1.4 million and 1.49 million respectively.
The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam has risen steadily in recent years (Photo: Toan Thinh).
Vietnam’s overall growth remains strong. In 2025, the country welcomed 21.2 million international visitors, up 20.4 per cent year on year, while Thailand saw a 7.2 per cent decline.
Bill Barnett, chief executive of C9 Hotelworks, described Vietnam as a rising star, highlighting its rapid development over the past three decades and growing appeal to travellers from China and Japan.
Vietnam now has around 780,000 hotel rooms and 38,000 registered accommodation establishments, compared with Thailand’s 704,000 rooms and 16,000 properties.
New resorts and hotels are being built across Vietnam (Photo: Intercontinental).
Infrastructure development is another key advantage. Vietnam is expanding its airport network and planning high speed rail projects, while Thailand faces delays in major infrastructure developments, including highways, a new airport in Phuket and a rail link connecting three airports.
Concerns are mounting within Thailand’s tourism sector that the country could lose its position as Southeast Asia’s top destination in the coming years.
Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, chairman of the Chon Buri Tourism Association, said Vietnam could surpass Thailand in international arrivals within two to three years.
He cited lower living costs, newer and more affordable resorts and entertainment complexes, and competitive hotel packages, often priced at half those in Thailand.
Vietnam also benefits from well located airports, typically within 30 to 45 minutes by car from major tourist destinations. In contrast, visitors to destinations such as Hua Hin or Kanchanaburi must travel around three hours by road from Bangkok.
“We are relying on old strengths without developing new infrastructure or attractions,” he said.
Phu Quoc is among the destinations attracting large numbers of visitors (Photo: Alina).
According to Bangkok Post, hotel operators in Thailand have warned that competition will intensify in 2026, as more European and Russian tourists are expected to choose Vietnam.
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said both government and private sector stakeholders need a more strategic approach to sustain tourism growth and attract investment.
Some Thai hotels have already reported a decline in group travellers from Europe, particularly from Poland, as tourists shift to Vietnam.
“Thailand still attracts high spending and repeat travellers, but it remains unclear how much this segment may decline or shift to Vietnam in the future,” he said.