Major source markets including China, South Korea, Taiwan (China), the US, Australia, and Cambodia, all posted strong growth of 10 to 24% compared to September, said the NSO.

The surge was attributed to favorable visa policies, intensified tourism promotion campaigns, and a series of national celebrations earlier in the year, such as the April 30 and September 2 holidays, which helped sustain international visitor momentum.

In the first ten months of this year, Vietnam welcomed 17.2 million foreign arrivals, up 22% from last year. Dr. Pham Hai Quynh, Director of the Asia Tourism Development Institute, described the figure as “a very strong result,” signaling a positive outlook for Vietnam’s tourism industry.

He noted that the 1.73 million arrivals not only surpassed pre-pandemic records for the same period but also exceeded several summer peak months that typically draw 1.4–1.5 million visitors.

This milestone is a significant boost, Quynh said, helping the tourism sector move closer to its annual target of up to 23 million international visitors.