As global tourism continues to rebound strongly post-pandemic, Vietnamese travelers are increasingly exploring the world.

Data from both domestic and international tourism bodies in the first half of 2025 shows that Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan (China) are among the top destinations favored by Vietnamese tourists.

According to newly released statistics from the General Statistics Office, 4,062,800 Vietnamese people traveled abroad in the first six months of 2025, marking a 53.9% increase compared to the same period last year.

Vietnam News Agency reported that in the same timeframe, more than 370,000 Vietnamese tourists visited Thailand. The country has long been the top international choice for Vietnamese travelers due to its simple visa procedures, short travel time, frequent flights, familiar cuisine, and affordability.

However, despite retaining the top spot, the number of Vietnamese visitors to Thailand declined by 26% compared to the first half of 2024. Experts attribute this decline to market saturation and external factors such as natural disasters and ongoing political protests.

In contrast, Japan recorded nearly 311,000 Vietnamese arrivals in the first five months of 2025, up nearly 10% year-on-year, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) in Vietnam. Vietnam now ranks as Japan’s 10th largest international tourist market.

More notably, Vietnamese travel to Japan is shifting in style. Travelers are increasingly favoring customized and self-guided tours over traditional group packages.

In addition to popular cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, tourists are seeking out lesser-known regions for their unique natural landscapes and distinctive local cultures.

South Korea also welcomed over 269,000 Vietnamese visitors in the first half of the year - another 10% increase over the same period in 2024.

Despite higher tour prices and visa requirements, the country remains a favorite among Vietnamese travelers thanks to its direct flights, diverse cuisine, rich cultural experiences, and the influence of K-pop and Korean entertainment.

Taiwan (China) recorded 114,000 Vietnamese arrivals in the first four months of 2025, a slight increase from 113,000 during the same period last year.

Taiwanese authorities are actively courting the Vietnamese market with more flexible visa policies and robust tourism promotion campaigns.

Representatives from major travel agencies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City cite several reasons behind the surge in outbound travel: increasingly relaxed visa policies, stable tour and airfare prices, and a rising trend among young travelers to "check in" abroad.

While official figures for destinations like China and traditional European markets are yet to be released, industry data shows that outbound tour bookings surged during Vietnam’s April 30 holiday and the summer season.

Overall, the growing purchasing power and adventurous spirit of Vietnamese tourists are expected to unlock substantial growth opportunities for the outbound tourism sector in the near future.

PV