Hanoi, September 04, 2026 – The Europe Today: Vietnam welcomed nearly 16 million international visitors during the first eight months of 2026, marking a 14.4 percent increase from the same period last year as strong growth from European and other long-haul markets continued to support the country’s tourism recovery.
According to data released Thursday by the National Statistics Office, Vietnam recorded an estimated 15.91 million international arrivals between January and August, the highest level for the first eight months in recent years. The figure represents more than 63 percent of the country’s full-year target of 25 million international visitors.
International arrivals reached nearly 1.99 million in August alone, rising 19.7 percent from July and 18.4 percent compared with August 2025, despite the month traditionally being considered part of the low tourism season.
Asia remained Vietnam’s largest source region, accounting for approximately 11.81 million visitors, or nearly 74 percent of total international arrivals during the first eight months. The figure represented a year-on-year increase of about 7.4 percent.
China remained the largest individual source market, providing approximately 3.54 million visitors, or 22.3 percent of the total, followed by South Korea with around 2.76 million visitors, accounting for 17.3 percent.
Combined, the two markets contributed more than 6.3 million visitors, representing nearly 40 percent of Vietnam’s total international arrivals during the period.
However, several long-haul markets recorded significantly stronger growth, highlighting the increasing diversification of Vietnam’s international tourism sector.
European visitors reached approximately 2.68 million during the first eight months, up 53.4 percent year-on-year. Arrivals from the Americas increased 20.7 percent to about 887,000, while visitors from Oceania rose 23.3 percent to nearly 489,000. Africa recorded approximately 45,000 arrivals, an increase of 25.1 percent.
Among major European markets, arrivals from Britain increased 9.8 percent, France 13.4 percent, Germany 15.1 percent, Sweden 25.1 percent, Switzerland 27 percent, Poland 51.2 percent and the Czech Republic 28.2 percent.
Russia emerges as third-largest source market
Russia emerged as one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing major tourism markets, with more than 1 million visitors recorded during the first eight months, placing it third behind China and South Korea.
According to tourism authorities, Russian arrivals reached 265.7 percent of the level recorded during the same period in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 165.7 percent.
The surge has been supported by the resumption and expansion of charter flights connecting Russian cities with Vietnam’s coastal destinations. Nha Trang, Mũi Né and Phú Quốc have remained popular destinations among Russian tourists seeking warm-weather holidays.
India has also become an increasingly significant tourism market for Vietnam. More than 612,000 Indian visitors arrived in the country during the first eight months, compared with approximately 102,000 in 2019.
The increase has been supported by expanding direct air connectivity between the two countries, including routes linking New Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad with Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng and HCM City.
Several other markets also posted strong growth. Arrivals from the Philippines increased 58.8 percent, the United States 20.4 percent, Australia 23.3 percent, Singapore 31.7 percent, Cambodia 41.5 percent, Malaysia 20.5 percent and Indonesia 26.7 percent.
Japan, another major source market, recorded a 9.2 percent increase in arrivals.
Air travel remained the primary gateway to Vietnam, accounting for 13.22 million international arrivals during the first eight months. Air arrivals represented 83.1 percent of the total and increased 11.6 percent year-on-year.
With the traditional peak tourism season approaching, Vietnamese authorities expect international visitor numbers to continue increasing and contribute to achieving the country’s target of 25 million international arrivals in 2026.
