Indians love going to Thailand in Southeast Asia? Well, another destination that is capturing the interest of Indians like no other is Vietnam, which has now emerged as the fastest-growing tourism destination in Southeast Asia.Now, Vietnam has emerged as the third-most-visited country in the region, with 17.5 million international arrivals in 2024, edging ahead of Singapore.
It follows Malaysia, which had 25 million visitors, and Thailand, which remains at the top with 35 million.The numbers also make Vietnam, also referred to as the Land of the Ascending Dragon, the regional leader in tourism recovery. Five years after the Covid-19 pandemic brought global travel to a halt, Vietnam has regained 98% of its pre-pandemic tourism business, outpacing all its neighbours, including Thailand (87.
5%) and Singapore (86%). The momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Nearly four million international tourists arrived in Vietnam in January and February this year, a 30.
2% increase from the same period last year, according to figures from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.Why Vietnam is attracting more touristsSeveral factors have contributed to Vietnam’s rising popularity. A major reason is easier access.
The first-ever nonstop flight between the US and Vietnam was launched by Vietnam Airlines in 2021, connecting San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City. In 2023, Vietnam introduced new electronic visa policies, allowing visitors to stay for up to 90 days—three times the previous limi.
