On the afternoon of December 15, Vietnam welcomed its 20 millionth international visitor in 2025, a historic milestone marking an unprecedented surge in tourism growth.

The special ceremony took place at Phu Quoc International Airport, jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) and the People’s Committee of An Giang Province. This is the first time in its 65-year history that Vietnam has received 20 million international visitors in a single year.

The symbolic 20 millionth guest was Ms. Karolina Agnieszka from Poland. Officials from the MoCST presented flowers, certificates, and commemorative gifts to her and other international travelers at the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong emphasized the importance of this milestone, highlighting the sector's efforts, innovation, and resilience.

“This achievement holds profound meaning, particularly as the global tourism industry is only beginning to recover after the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

According to Deputy Minister Ho An Phong, since fully reopening its borders to international tourism on March 15, 2022, Vietnam has seen continuous growth: 12.6 million international arrivals in 2023, 17.6 million in 2024, and an estimated 21 million by the end of 2025. This would far surpass the pre-pandemic record of 18 million visitors set in 2019.

With a projected growth rate of 21%, Vietnam is considered one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the world, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). In comparison, global tourism is expected to grow by only 5% in 2025, while the Asia-Pacific region may see an 8% increase. Overall, the global tourism industry has only recovered to about 90% of its pre-pandemic level.

Deputy Minister Ho An Phong also noted the significance of Phu Quoc being chosen to host this milestone event. The island is not only a prominent beach and island destination in Vietnam but also a location with strong infrastructure, natural advantages, and capacity to organize both national and international events. It is currently preparing to host APEC 2027.

Vietnam’s 20 millionth international visitor received a luxury gift package valued at nearly USD 20,000, which included a high-end pearl necklace, round-trip business class airfare, a five-star resort stay, Michelin-star dining vouchers, golfing and yachting experiences in southern Phu Quoc, and a VIP entertainment pass.

Meanwhile, the 19,999,999th and 20,000,001st international visitors - both also from Poland - were awarded gift packages worth over USD 8,000 each.

According to Resolution 226/NQ-CP issued by the government on August 5, 2025, the tourism industry is tasked with reaching 25 million international visitors and 150 million domestic travelers by year-end. Previously, the industry had set a more modest target of 22–23 million international arrivals and 120–130 million domestic visits.

Ngoc Ha