Vietnam received nearly 16 million foreign tourists in January-August 2026, up 14.4%, with Indian arrivals up sixfold since 2019 to over 612,000.
Cover image: Cruise ships anchored in Ha Long Bay Vietnam with limestone karsts — photo by Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Vietnam welcomed nearly 16 million foreign visitors in the first eight months of 2026, up 14.4% on the same period last year. The figures, released by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and reported by VnExpress on 3 September, put the country at 63.6% of its full-year target of 25 million arrivals. August alone delivered nearly 2 million visitors, a striking result for what is traditionally low season for inbound travel.
The August number deserves attention. It rose 19.7% on July and 18.4% year on year, suggesting Vietnam's tourism engine is no longer purely seasonal. Air travel carried 83% of all arrivals, while overland entries keep growing on the back of Chinese and Cambodian border traffic.
Where are Vietnam's tourists coming from?
Asia remains the bedrock, supplying about 11.8 million visitors or nearly three-quarters of the total, up 7.4%. But the growth story sits elsewhere. Europe sent around 2.68 million tourists, a surge of 53.4% and the strongest regional growth of all. The Americas contributed some 887,000 arrivals (+20.7%), Oceania nearly 489,000 (+23.3%) and Africa about 45,000 (+25.1%).
| Market | Jan-Aug 2026 arrivals | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| China | 3.54 million (22.3% of total) | Largest source market |
| South Korea | 2.76 million (17.3%) | Second largest; combined 6.3M with China |
| Russia | Over 1 million | +165.7%, fastest growth |
| India | Over 612,000 | Six times the 102,000 of 2019 |
| United States | Growing | +20.4% |
| Philippines | Growing | +58.8% |
China and South Korea together account for nearly 40% of all arrivals, so Vietnam's fortunes still hinge on Northeast Asia. Russia's explosion past the one-million mark, up 165.7%, reflects direct air links and a weak rouble pushing travellers toward affordable Asian beach destinations.
The India story: sixfold growth since 2019
More than 612,000 Indians visited Vietnam in eight months, against just 102,000 in the whole of 2019. That sixfold jump makes India one of Vietnam's most important emerging markets, and it explains the rush of new air services (Akasa Air has just added direct Mumbai-Hanoi flights to the growing India-Vietnam network).
For travellers, the boom cuts both ways. More flights mean lower fares, but Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Phu Quoc now need advance hotel booking in peak weeks. If you are planning a trip, start with what a Vietnam trip costs from India and sort the paperwork early through India-specific Vietnam visa guidance.
How does Vietnam compare with Thailand?
Regionally, Vietnam is gaining on Thailand, which logged 19.76 million arrivals over a similar stretch with India as its third-largest market. Vietnam's 25-million full-year target would still leave it behind Thailand in absolute terms, but its growth rate is faster, and its European surge (+53.4%) suggests success in diversifying beyond Asia. With four months left including the year-end high season, the target looks reachable if Northeast Asian demand holds.
Europe and second-tier markets surge
Beyond the headline markets, Vietnam's growth is strikingly broad. Poland leads the second tier at +51.2%, followed by the Czech Republic (+28.2%), Switzerland (+27%), Sweden (+25.1%), Germany (+15.1%), France (+13.4%) and the UK (+9.8%). In Asia-Pacific, Cambodia (+41.5%), Singapore (+31.7%), Indonesia (+26.7%), Australia (+23.3%), Malaysia (+20.5%) and Japan (+9.2%) all advanced. That breadth suggests easier visas and denser flight connections are lifting demand almost everywhere, not just in one or two markets.
Frequently asked questions
How many tourists visited Vietnam in 2026 so far?
Nearly 16 million foreign visitors arrived in January to August 2026, up 14.4% year on year and equal to 63.6% of the 25-million full-year target.
Which country sends the most tourists to Vietnam?
China leads with 3.54 million arrivals (22.3% of the total), followed by South Korea with 2.76 million. Together they supply nearly 40% of all visitors.
How many Indians visited Vietnam in 2026?
Over 612,000 Indians arrived in the first eight months of 2026, roughly six times the 102,000 recorded in all of 2019.
What is Vietnam's tourist arrival target for 2026?
The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism targets 25 million international arrivals for the full year. At nearly 16 million after eight months, the country is on pace if high-season demand holds.
