Vietnam rises in global tourism rankings and safety indices

Vietnam has demonstrated significant growth in the international tourism sector, ranking fourth in Lonely Planet’s list of top autumn travel trends for 2026. The ranking, based on guide book sales, places Vietnam behind Japan, Italy, and Thailand.

Additionally, the country ranked tenth in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2026. Official statistics from the General Statistics Office show that in the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam welcomed approximately 17.68 million international visitors, a 14.5% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Air travel accounted for 83.2% of these arrivals.

Safety remains a key driver for the country's appeal. According to the World Economic Forum’s Travel Competitiveness Index 2026, Vietnam rose 18 places to rank ninth globally in safety and security. This reputation for safety was highlighted by a recent successful rescue operation in Da Nang, where local authorities assisted two lost foreign tourists, an event that prompted a letter of thanks from one of the travelers regarding the professionalism of Vietnamese police.