Vietnam Sets New Record in Phu Quoc, Boosting Tourism and Local Economy

Vietnam Marks Historic Record at Phu Quoc

Vietnam is set to celebrate its 20 millionth international visitor at Phu Quoc International Airport, one of the busiest air gateways in the southern region. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the country’s tourism history, recognizing rapid growth and recovery.

Alongside the 20 millionth visitor, officials will honor the guests numbered 19,999,999 and 20,000,001 on the same day. These travelers will receive gifts symbolic of Phu Quoc, highlighting the island’s role in Vietnam’s tourism transformation.

This is the first time in 65 years that Vietnam’s tourism sector has welcomed 20 million international visitors within a single year. The milestone reflects strong recovery and growth after a challenging period. Dr. Duong Duc Minh, Deputy Director of the Institute for Economic and Tourism Development, told Tri Thức – Znews that the tourism industry is experiencing an impressive leap, demonstrating flexibility and resilience.

According to the National Tourism Administration, the top countries sending visitors to Vietnam include China with nearly 4.8 million tourists, followed by South Korea at 3.9 million, Taiwan with 1.1 million, and the United States with over 760,000 visitors. This diversification shows Vietnam’s wide appeal to global travelers.

The government initially targeted 22-23 million international arrivals, later raising the goal to at least 25 million by year-end. Dr. Minh emphasized that reaching this ambitious target is feasible but requires improved infrastructure and higher service quality.

The UN World Tourism Organization ranks Vietnam among the fastest-growing tourist destinations worldwide, on par with Japan. Vietnam’s success owes much to effective government policies, including visa facilitation, market expansion, promotional campaigns, and enhanced service standards.

The National Tourism Administration highlighted four key implications of the 20 million visitor milestone:

1. Confirmation of Vietnam’s rising global tourism status due to unique culture, natural beauty, and cuisine.
2. Evidence of strong recovery post-pandemic with steady growth and repeat visitors.
3. Reinforcement of international travelers’ trust in Vietnam as a safe, friendly, and engaging destination.
4. A stepping stone toward the goal of welcoming 35 million international tourists by 2030, boosting tourism as a core economic sector.

Phu Quoc stands at the forefront of this remarkable achievement, symbolizing Vietnam’s dynamic tourism development and bright future.