Việt Nam welcomed 1.56 million international visitors in July alone. — Photo from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism

HCM CITY — International arrivals to Việt Nam hit 12.23 million in the first seven months of 2025, reflecting strong growth in the country’s tourism sector.

Favourable visa policies, intensified tourism promotion campaigns, and vibrant celebrations of national holidays have contributed to the steady increase in international arrivals to Việt Nam.

According to the latest report from the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, the country welcomed 1.56 million international visitors in July alone, marking a 6.8 per cent increase compared to the previous month and a 35.7 per cent rise from the same period last year.

In total, Việt Nam received 12.23 million international visitors in the first seven months of this year, up 22.5 per cent year-on-year.

Arrivals by region showed strong growth across most markets. Asia remained the largest source, contributing 9.63 million visitors, up 22.4 per cent year-on-year. European arrivals reached 1.53 million (increasing by 31.8 per cent), followed by the Americas with 670,000 visitors (up by 9.8 per cent), Oceania with 357,500 (15.7 per cent), and Africa with 30,100 (3.1 per cent).

Air arrivals reached 10.4 million, accounting for 85.1 per cent of the total and rising 23.8 per cent year-on-year.

Arrivals by land were estimated at 1.6 million, or 13.4 per cent of the total, up 15.8 per cent, while sea arrivals reached 183,900, making up 1.5 per cent, up 11.1 per cent from the same period last year.

The National Statistics Office attributed the growing number of international arrivals to streamlined visa policies, the expansion of e-visa options, and well-executed promotional efforts.

Key destinations drawing strong interest included Đà Nẵng, HCM City, Hà Nội, Phú Quốc, and Nha Trang – cities renowned for their diverse tourism offerings, extensive accommodation services, and vibrant entertainment scenes.

The report also noted that the continued growth of tourism and trade contributed to a 9.3 per cent year-on-year increase in total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in the first seven months of 2025.

Revenue from accommodation and food services was estimated at VNĐ481.9 trillion (US$18.97 billion), up 15 per cent year-on-year.

HCM City recorded a revenue increase of 19.7 per cent, followed by Đà Nẵng with 18.6 per cent, Cần Thơ with 14.8 per cent, Hà Nội with 12 per cent, and Hải Phòng with 11 per cent.

Meanwhile, travel and tourism services generated an estimated VNĐ52.8 trillion in revenue during the same period, up 20 per cent compared to last year.

The strongest increases were seen in Đồng Nai Province, which rose by 31.5 per cent, Lào Cai by 28.4 per cent, HCM City by 23.4 per cent, Huế by 22.6 per cent, and Hà Nội by 18.8 per cent. — VNS