Vietnam Visitor Numbers Rise: Russia, Philippines Lead Growth

International Arrivals See Strong Expansion

Vietnam welcomed nearly 16 million international visitors during the initial eight months of 2026. This represents an increase of over 14% compared to the same period last year. The surge in arrivals highlights Vietnam's growing appeal to global travellers. Key markets driving this expansion include Russia and the Philippines.

These nations showed particularly strong growth rates over the reporting period. The sustained increase demonstrates a robust recovery and expansion in Vietnam's tourism sector. This performance positions the country as a dynamic destination in Southeast Asia. Industry observers are closely monitoring these trends.

Russia Emerges as a Primary European Market

Visitor numbers from Russia surged by 166% in the first eight months of this year. This makes Russia Vietnam's largest European source market. It also ranks as the third-largest overall, following mainland China and South Korea. Approximately one million Russian visitors arrived in Vietnam this year.

Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of AZA Travel, noted that Russian tourists seek swimming, sunbathing, seafood, and resort stays. He stated Vietnam effectively meets these preferences. Kristina Zagumennaya, a director at a Russian travel agency, informed Sputnik in early August that Russian tourist flows are diversifying.

While Turkey remains popular, Vietnam and China show outstanding growth. She added that Vietnam stands out this tourist season, supported by multiple charter flights. Vietnam Airlines also increased its Hanoi-Moscow direct route to four weekly flights from July.

Philippines Market Shows Notable Growth

The Philippines registered a 58% increase in tourist arrivals over the same eight-month period. This growth is notable, as the Philippines was not a prominent source market for Vietnam before 2025. Nearly 470,000 Filipino visitors travelled to Vietnam this year. This places them among the top ten largest groups of foreign visitors.

Bui Thanh Tu, marketing director of BestPrice Travel, attributes this rise to several factors. These include more convenient flight routes, particularly from Manila and Cebu. He also cited competitive costs and distinct tourism products. These offerings differ from the island destinations common to Filipino travellers. The viral reach of TikTok and YouTube videos featuring Vietnamese cities also contributed to this popularity.

Sustaining Future Tourism Expansion

While the growth from the Philippines is significant, Bui Thanh Tu notes it partly stems from a low base last year. He suggests Vietnam must continue expanding its air routes to sustain this momentum. Developing suitable tourism products is also crucial for long-term growth. Overall, Asia remains the dominant region for visitor volume.

Mainland China, South Korea, and Taiwan collectively contributed around 6.2 million arrivals. This accounts for nearly 40% of all international visitors to Vietnam. The continued focus on diverse markets and infrastructure development will be key. This strategy aims to ensure Vietnam’s tourism sector maintains its upward trajectory.