VIETNAM TAPS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR GROWTH

Vietnam's tourism industry is being underpinned by strong first-quarter performance and a strategic push to deepen international partnerships.

- Hoang Oanh reports.

At press conference held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism two weeks ago, Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai, deputy director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) said the country welcomed more than 6.7 million international visitor arrivals in the first quarter, up 12.4 per cent on-year and the highest ever for the period. Domestic travel remained robust at an estimated 37 million trips, generating total tourism revenue of around $10.68 billion.

Despite the positive momentum, rising fuel costs driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have pushed up airfares and service prices, adding pressure on both tourism businesses and travellers' spending.

"In this context, Vietnam's tourism industry has identified several notable opportunities," Mai said. "The trend of international tourists shifting to safe and affordable destinations is increasing, while nearby markets are showing strong signs of recovery. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to further strengthen its image as a safe, friendly, and attractive destination."

In terms of promotion and marketing, the VNAT continues to expand its reach across international markets with notable highlights: the Indian market is growing exponentially, the Russian market is recovering strongly, while Northeast Asia continues to play a leading role.

Notably, in mid-April, Vietnam-China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-2027 was launched, opening up opportunities to revive the largest source market for Vietnam's tourism sector.