Vietnam's tourism surge overtakes Thailand, draws record Chinese visitors

Vietnam recorded more than 21 million international arrivals in 2025, a rise of about 20 % over the previous year. The growth has propelled the country ahead of Thailand in the key Chinese market, with roughly 5.3 million Chinese tourists compared with Thailand’s 4.5 million.  Vietnam’s strategy emphasizes attracting higher‑spending, longer‑stay visitors by expanding beyond major cities to destinations such as Phú Quốc, Sa Pa, Da Nang and the newly recognised UNESCO geopark in Cao Bang.  The government has relaxed visa requirements, offering longer stays and visa‑free access to several European nations, while airlines expand routes to China, Japan, Singapore and Europe.  Substantial infrastructure investments are under way, including airport expansions, new hotels and large‑scale projects in Phú Quốc ahead of the 2027 APEC Leaders’ Week.  Digital initiatives such as heritage train experiences and promotion of natural sites, from mountain Dinh to the giant caves of Quảng Trị, support a shift toward quality and sustainable tourism that now contributes about 10 % of Vietnam’s GDP.