According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the number of international visitors in Q1 2026 was6.76 million, up 12.4% year-on-year. It is a record high for any first quarter. All three months from January to March exceeded 2 million visitors, but because the country-by-country rankings and monthly figures in the original article contained errors, corrections are made here in line with the official announcement.
January was the highest month
| Month | Foreign visitor numbers |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Approximately 2.454 million |
| February 2026 | Approximately 2.228 million |
| March 2026 | About 2.1 million |
| First quarter | 6.76 million (up 12.4% year-on-year) |
Exceeding 2 million for three consecutive months demonstrates the strength of the recovery, but numbers did not keep rising every month. Monthly figures declined from a peak in January. Looking at month-by-month movement as well as the total helps avoid overstating the news.
China is the largest market, followed by South Korea
According to government figures, China led with approximately 1.4 million visitors, followed by South Korea with approximately 1.33 million. After that came Russia with approximately 367,000, Cambodia with approximately 330,000, Taiwan with approximately 316,000, the United States with approximately 302,000, and India with approximately 243,000. Japan is an important market, but there is no basis confirmed for placing it in the top five as the original article did.
Entry methods and implications for travelers
Air arrivals accounted for 5.56 million, or 82.3% of the total; land arrivals for 1.05 million, or 15.5%; and sea arrivals for 148,200, or 2.2%. While the increase in visitors broadens route and service options, it also leads to crowding during public holidays and in popular cities. Rather than drawing a blanket conclusion that "now is the best time," it is more practical to choose travel dates by looking at the wet and dry seasons by region, Vietnamese public holidays, and accommodation prices.
Summary
The record of 6.76 million is a fact, but it is necessary to read country-by-country rankings and monthly movements accurately as well. For travelers, confirming the busy periods in the specific city they plan to visit and the conditions of available flights is more useful for actual planning than the country's overall growth rate.
Related articles:Phu Quoc tourism／Ho Chi Minh City tourism targets／VITM Hanoi
Source:General Statistics Office of Vietnam／Vietnam Government E-Newspaper
Check the update date
Check the update date in the body of the article, not just the search result excerpt. If you are unsure whether figures or proper nouns are still current, go to the primary source from the company, organizer, or government authority. If no official page can be found, treat that fact itself as a factor in your judgment, and do not make bookings or long trips based on old articles alone.
Before using figures to make travel decisions
The meaning of rankings and monetary figures changes depending on the surveying body, the period covered, the sample, the currency, and whether a calendar year or fiscal year is used. Rather than simply copying headline numbers, check the title and notes of the primary source, the date of publication, and whether the figures are preliminary or final. It is also important not to apply national statistics directly to individual shop prices or crowd levels.
Also, consider separately who this article is suited for and who it is not. The best choice varies depending on time, budget, physical condition, language ability, and the ages of those traveling with you. Having one alternative plan ready means that if something sells out, the weather turns bad, a venue is closed, or there are delays, you can avoid pushing yourself too hard.
