Vietnam’s Tourism Surge: What’s Driving The Boom In 2025

A whopping 36.9% rise in tourist visits in January 2025!

This growth is making Vietnam one of the hottest tourist spots not only in Southeast Asia, but globally. 

Many factors are contributing to this boom in Vietnam’s tourism industry. 

From its rich culture to landscapes, and its constantly improving infrastructure, the country is ready to seize every opportunity up for grabs. 

Want to know why this boom is happening? Keep reading to explore the different reasons you should plan your next trip to Vietnam. 

But before that, let’s look at the numbers to understand how Vietnam is attracting tourists from across the globe. 

A Strong Start To 2025: An Impetus To Vietnam’s Tourism Industry

According to recent reports, the country has welcomed 6 million international tourists in the first three months. This marks a 30% year-over-year increase. 

To back this, data from Google shows that stay searches in Vietnam increased by 15-30% between November 2024 and January 2025 compared to the same period last year. 

This percentage only increased in the first half of February 2025, when the same search volume went up to 30-45%. 

Most of these searches are coming from the following countries:

• The United States
• Australia
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Singapore
• The United Kingdom. 

And the most searched places include Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Vung Tau. 

Phu Quoc, among them, has emerged as a global tourism hotspot. The largest island in Vietnam has welcomed around 1.4 million visitors in the first two months of 2025. 

In fact, Travel + Leisure has named Phu Quoc the second most beautiful island in the world. The Maldives has the number one spot on the list. 

Naturally, these increasing numbers are also boosting the economy of this country. But why are these searches increasing? Let’s have a look. 

Why Is Vietnam’s Tourism Industry Experiencing Such Massive Growth?

Do you know that Vietnam will bring a 10-year Golden Visa to achieve more growth in the tourism sector? 

It’s a great move for sure! However, as of today, the following reasons are driving the growth of Vietnam’s tourism industry. 

1. Culture And Experiences

The biggest reason why people always want to visit Vietnam is its rich culture and history. 

Tourists love to explore the centuries-old temples in Hanoi and want to experience the bustling markets of Ho Chi Minh City. 

The UNESCO World Heritage site of My Son in central Vietnam and the beautiful Old Quarter of Hanoi are some must-visit places that tourists don’t miss out on. 

They offer travelers a chance to experience and learn about Vietnam’s old culture and history.

The reason why people are choosing to visit these historic places in Vietnam now is the new trend of cultural tourism.

As the name suggests, tourists wish to see places that tell a story and offer authentic experiences, not just beautiful sightseeing. 

This is why Vietnam’s cities, historical monuments, and lively festivals seem to be appealing.

2. A Boost In Infrastructure And Accessibility

New international flight routes have played a big role in the booming tourism in Vietnam. This includes direct flights from important markets like the US, Europe, and Asia.

 This improvement has made it easier for travelers to travel to Vietnam. 

The government’s effort to expand international air travel and modernize airports has significantly contributed to the growth of Vietnam’s tourism industry. 

In fact, the Vietnamese government also issued a resolution in January 2025, which allows visa-free entry for people from Poland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. 

This initiative has been introduced to further uplift the tourism sector this year.

Not just that, credible service providers like OnTrailVisa make the visa application process a smooth ride for tourists from various countries. 

You can get end-to-end assistance with travel documents, visa applications, and track your application status at OnTrailVisa UK to ensure a hassle-free experience for travelers.

The growing infrastructure of the country has also played a key role in attracting more visitors. 

Cities like Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City have seen major improvements in the transport and hospitality sectors. 

These improvements complement the country’s diverse attractions, from the dunes of Mui Ne to the lush jungles of the northern mountains.

3. The Green Transition In Tourism

With the surge in the number of tourists in Vietnam, the country is also progressing in sustainable tourism.

As far as Vietnam Plus is concerned, several sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important to the tourism sector.

Several initiatives have been taken to preserve natural resources, reduce carbon footprints, and promote eco-friendly tourism.

Some primary initiatives include preserving the national parks and conservation areas like Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàngon a priority basis.

Vietnam is moving toward a greener transition while simultaneously developing its tourism sector.

 Those who are vigilant and mindful of the ecological impact cheer for this initiative, which has gained popularity among Vietnamese and young people worldwide.

Vietnam’s commitment to sustainable travel is well reflected in its national policies, the surge in the number of eco-friendly resorts, and the fact that people enjoy Vietnam’s natural beauty without directly contributing to the degradation of nature.

All these things are making eco-tourism popular in Vietnam.

Mekong Delta Tourism: A Crown Jewel In Vietnam’s Tourism Industry Focusing On Sustainability

A former teacher had the vision of linking the sea, river, and culture within the landscape of Vietnam’s tourism industry. 

Thanks to regional policy reforms and initiatives from local companies such as Focus Travel, the Mekong Delta is now an important spot in the global tourism landscape. 

Further, with a fusion of maritime and river tourism, the Mekong Delta is now contributing to the growth of Vietnam’s sustainable tourism. 

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta has also been in the news recently for the cultivation of black rice, or Oryza rufipogon. This black rice has been a secret in Vietnam’s practice of climate-resilient farming. 

This rice can be one of the best solutions to meet the food demand during the flood season and other crisis situations. 

So, the Mekong Delta can also be a popular agro-tourism hotspot in the country.