According to a recent report from the French aviation website air-journal.fr (www.dnyxxg.com), 2025 marks a crucial turning point for Vietnam's tourism industry. Ten years ago, Vietnam received only about 8 million international tourists annually; now, this "S-shaped country" has become one of Asia's fastest-growing tourist destinations.
According to data from the website cited by a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Paris, in the first ten months of 2025, Vietnam received a total of 17.2 million international tourists, a year-on-year increase of 21.5%. The first quarter alone saw over 6 million arrivals, a record high, representing a year-on-year increase of 29.6%. Multiple forecasts indicate that Vietnam's annual international tourist arrivals are expected to exceed 20 million, placing it alongside Japan among the world's fastest-growing tourism destinations.
The French market has performed particularly well, with tourist arrivals to Vietnam surging by 55% in the past year, making Vietnam the fastest-growing non-European destination for French tourists. Data from the French Association of Tourism Enterprises (SETO) shows that Vietnam, along with Egypt and the Dominican Republic, is listed as a popular winter travel destination for French tourists. The deep historical ties between the two countries, as well as the French architectural styles preserved in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, attract French tourists.
Visa facilitation and expanded flight routes provide strong support for market growth. Currently, Vietnam offers a 45-day e-visa policy for most European countries, including France. Regarding air rights, Vietnam Airlines operates daily flights between Hanoi and Paris, and four weekly flights between Paris and Ho Chi Minh City; Air France operates three weekly direct flights between Paris and Ho Chi Minh City.
In addition to direct flights with fares exceeding €1,000 (approximately US$1,150), travelers can also choose discounted options transiting through Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Bangkok (Thai Airways), Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Abu Dhabi (Etihad Airways), or Dubai (Emirates).
air-journal.fr points out that in-depth experiences are becoming a core attraction of Vietnamese tourism. Many French tourists recommend the destination to their friends and family after returning home, believing it perfectly blends cultural exploration, natural landscapes, and local life.
The website states that in northern Vietnam, the temples and lakes of Hanoi's Old Quarter exude an oriental charm, while the karst landscape of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is breathtaking. The Sapa rice terraces and ethnic minority villages showcase the mountainous landscape.
In the central region, the long coastline from Da Nang to Nha Trang is dotted with traditional fishing villages and cultural relics. The imperial city complex, pagodas, and gardens of the ancient capital of Hue, certified by UNESCO, showcase the legacy of a dynasty.
In the south, Ho Chi Minh City displays modern vitality with its skyscrapers and bustling night markets, while the floating markets, tropical orchards, and tranquil water towns of the Mekong Delta present a typical southern lifestyle.
The report also notes that although Vietnam is relatively affordable (a meal costs around €2, and guesthouses are less than €10 per night), tourists still need to contend with challenges such as complex transportation, language barriers, and differences in accommodation standards. Currently, French travel agencies such as Asia and Maisons du Voyage, along with Vietnamese operator Routes du Vietnam by Nativ, offer themed packages (food tours, family trips, and connecting flights between Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos), but airfares generally need to be booked independently by travelers.
Industry analysts believe that tourism has become a crucial pillar of Vietnam's economy, driving income growth and employment across multiple sectors. With its continued strong growth momentum, Vietnam is actively promoting product diversification, deeply exploring its cultural value, natural endowments, and community resources, consolidating its position as an international tourist destination while fully implementing sustainable development and cultural heritage protection. (End)
