In April 2026, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism announced that the number of foreign tourists in the first quarter (January-March) reached a record high of 6.76 million. Up 12.4% year on year, it's the highest on a quarterly basis since tourism statistics began. While China and Korea account for about 40% of the total, Russia showed explosive growth of 163% year on year, and Europe as a whole rose 55.6%. The Vietnamese government has set a target of 25 million international tourists for the full year of 2026, and if this momentum continues, achieving the target has come within a realistic level.
The tourism boom seen in the first-quarter numbers
The first-quarter 2026 data announced by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is as follows. Organizing the month-by-month trend and the top five by country reveals the structure of the tourism boom.
| Item | Figure | Year on year |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 total tourists | 6.76 million | +12.4% |
| January | 2.45 million | +18.5% (highest since tourism statistics began in 2015) |
| February | 2.23 million | +17.4% |
| March | 2.08 million | +1.3% (slowing) |
| Full-year 2026 target | 25 million | – |
Top five by country: China and Korea account for 40%
The largest source country is China at about 1.4 million. Combined with second-place Korea (about 1.33 million), they make up about 40% of the total. From third place down come Russia, Japan, and India. Japanese travelers, as the fourth-largest source country, form an important part of this tourism boom.
| Rank | Country | Approximate number | Year on year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | China | About 1.4 million | Strong (overtaking Korea again) |
| No. 2 | South Korea | About 1.33 million | Consistently solid |
| 3rd | Russia | (over 120,000 in March) | +163.4% (explosive) |
| 4th | Japan | – | +39% (March alone) |
| 5th | India | – | Solid growth |
Russia and Europe show explosive growth
Russian tourists showed notable growth of 163.4% year on year. Behind this is the Vietnamese government extending visa-exemption measures for 12 countries including Russia by three years until March 14, 2028, and expanding the maximum stay to 45 days. In Western markets, the positioning of "a cheap, safe tropical resort where you can stay 45 days" has strengthened, capturing long-stay tourism demand.
Europe as a whole rose 55.6% year on year. Major European countries such as Germany, France, the UK, Spain, and Italy are also included among the visa-exempt targets, and the effect of the visa policy expanded in 2023 has begun to materialize in earnest in its third year.
Fierce competition within Southeast Asia: the Philippines up 69%
Even within Southeast Asia, Vietnam shows strong growth, but the growth of tourists from neighboring countries is stronger still. Malaysia (+21.5%), Singapore (+30.2%), Cambodia (+41.1%), Indonesia (+43.9%), the Philippines (+69.3%), and Thailand (+6.5%)—the pattern of source travelers from nearby countries supporting Vietnam tourism is clear.
Notable is the Philippines' 69.3% increase.Travel + Leisure magazine's "World Hidden Gem Cities" ranking, in which Hoi An took first and Da Nang second,and the like—central Vietnam's rising profile is contributing to expanding recognition within Southeast Asia.
Reactions from those involved: "The 25-million target is achievable"
Organizing the voices of Vietnamese tourism figures from social media and industry media, a cautious but optimistic view is spreading.
"If the first-quarter pace continues, it could reach 27 million a year. The 25-million target is realistically achievable." (a Vietnam Tourism Association figure)
"Russia's 163% increase is the result of capturing demand redirected to Southeast Asian resorts under sanctions. The long-stay demand from Europe is real too." (a Ho Chi Minh City travel agency)
"March's growth slowing to 1.3% is a concern. Achieving the full-year target requires adding more from Q2 onward." (a Hanoi tourism consultant)
Impact on Japanese tourists: the busy periods and the sweet-spot timing
Japanese tourists showed record growth of 39% year on year in March alone, and this trend is expected to continue through the full year of 2026. Meanwhile, as total tourist numbers rise, the crowding of popular destinations is increasing.
In particular,The opening of the Fairmont in HanoiandThe opening of the Hyatt Regency in Nha Trangand the like—amid a succession of international hotel brands entering, it's better to lock in high-season (December-February and around Lunar New Year) bookings early. Conversely, late April to May and September to October are relatively empty, making both flights and hotels easier to secure at reasonable prices.
The latest visa-policy status (as of April 2026)
As of April 2026, Japanese travelers can stay up to 45 days visa-free. This 45-day rule continues until March 14, 2028. The 12 target countries include Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.A special 30-day visa-exemption measure for Phu Quoc Islandis also operated separately.
Practical information: for travelers visiting in the latter half of 2026
| Item | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Sweet-spot timing | Late April to May, September to October (relatively empty at the boundary of the dry and rainy seasons) |
| Crowding peak | December to February, around Lunar New Year (most crowded) |
| Visa | Japanese travelers exempt for up to 45 days (until March 14, 2028) |
| Hotel booking | For the high season, locking in 2-3 months ahead is safe |
| Flights | For Japan routes,VietJet launches a Hanoi-Shizuoka flight on April 28,with options expanding |
Summary: the golden age of Vietnam tourism
The first-quarter record of 6.76 million shows that 2026 is the entrance to a golden age of Vietnam tourism. Long-term visa easing, a full-scale inflow of demand from Europe and Russia, and expanding source travel from within Southeast Asia are working in combination, and the target of 25 million has come within realistic range.
For Japanese travelers, it's a choice between aiming for the "empty April-May and September-October" or going in the high season prepared for crowds. Whichever you choose, new hotels, restaurants, and cafés are opening one after another across Vietnam, and the travel options are at a record-high level now. The 39% year-on-year growth of Japanese tourists in March shows that enthusiasm for Vietnam travel is rising in earnest within Japan too.
