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VIET NAM Viet Nam Overview
LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES Recent Socio-Economic Achievements
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TOURISM

Viet Nam’s tourism sector continued to grow during the 2016-2019 period, with the
number of international visitors increasing from 10 million in 2016 to 18 million in 2019, a
1.8-fold increase, with revenue at VND241 trillion ($10.5 billion) and VND421 trillion ($18.3
billion), respectively, while the number of domestic tourists increased from 62 million in
2016 to 85 million in 2019, with revenue of VND176 trillion ($7.63 billion) and VND334 trillion
($14.5 billion), respectively.

As with other economies, however, this growth was disrupted by COVID-19. The number of
foreign tourists visiting Viet Nam in 2020 reached only 3.8 million, a year-on-year decline of
78.7%. The number of domestic tourists also fell dramatically, reaching only 56 million for the
year. The tourism sector faced unprecedented difficulties.

However, with eight UNESCO world heritage sites (Trang An Landscape Complex, Ho Dynasty
Citadel, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Complex of Hue Monuments, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An
Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary, and Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park) and beautiful
beaches, Viet Nam’s tourism sector is expected to continue to contribute significantly to GDP
growth, particularly when the COVID-19 pandemic has been stabilized.

ANNUAL TOURIST NUMBERS (MILLION), 2016-2021

120 Foreign tourists
Domestic tourists
100
18
15.5
80 12.9
85
80
10
60 73.2 3.8
62
56
40
0.088
30.5
20

0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 1H 2021

Source: General Statistics Office of Viet Nam