Vietnam welcomed nearly 1.04 million international arrivals in July, the highest monthly figure recorded since the country reopened from the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2022.
The figure was up 6.5% from June and three times higher than July last year, but equivalent to only 79% of the pre-pandemic period in 2019, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). July is peak time for domestic tourism in a year.
Europe accounted for highest growth in visitor arrivals compared to other continents, up 27% against June. Other top markets also increased in July compared to the previous month: South Korea (6%), China (14%), and the U.S. (7%).
However, countries in Southeast Asia saw a decline in visitors to Vietnam: Thailand (-19%), Malaysia (-24%) and Cambodia (-9.8%).
In the first seven months of this year, the number of foreign visitors to Vietnam reached 6.6 million, up 5.9 times year-on-year and equal to 83% of the country's year target.
South Korea was the largest source with nearly 1.9 million arrivals, accounting for one third of the total, followed by China with 738,000 and the U.S. with 445,000.
On June 24, Vietnam’s National Assembly approved a government proposal to extend the validity of tourist e-visas to 90 days with multiple entry, starting August 15.
Since the country reopened to tourism after a prolonged hiatus courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has only been granting 30-day, single entry visas.
Under the new policy, foreigners with valid visas will be able to enter and exit Vietnam multiple times without having to apply for new visas each time. The National Assembly also agreed to extend the stay of visitors from countries that are unilaterally exempt from visas from 15 to 45 days.
This adjustment will also take effect on August 15.
Travel firms said they re organizing longer tours to take advantage of opportunities that the new 90-day visa policy may bring when it takes effect.