The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam will collaborate with the People’s Committee of An Giang Province to host a ceremony welcoming the 20 millionth international tourist at Phu Quoc International Airport, scheduled for mid-December 2025.
According to statistics, Vietnam welcomed approximately 19 million international visitors in the first 11 months of 2025, reflecting a significant increase of 20.4% compared to the same period in 2024. With a stable growth trajectory in the fourth quarter and a strong recovery in international travel demand, reaching the milestone of 20 million international arrivals by mid-December 2025 is deemed feasible and well-founded. This achievement marks a historic first for Vietnam’s tourism sector, as it would be the first time in 65 years of development that the country has welcomed such a number of international tourists in a single year, indicating a pivotal advancement in the ongoing recovery and growth of Vietnamese tourism.
The National Tourism Administration of Vietnam has highlighted this achievement as clear evidence of the effective, continuous direction from the government and the Prime Minister in implementing tasks and solutions to promote recovery and development in tourism. This includes improving visa policies, expanding international tourist markets, enhancing promotion and marketing efforts, and elevating the quality of tourism products and services. These coherent and well-structured policies have fortified Vietnam’s position as a safe, attractive destination with increasing competitiveness both regionally and globally.
Reaching 20 million international visitors holds significant importance for Vietnam’s tourism industry, evidenced by four fundamental aspects: it underscores Vietnam’s allure and new standing on the world tourism map; the figure showcases Vietnam as a leading destination in the region, drawing visitors with its unique culture, stunning landscapes, exquisite cuisine, and diverse experiences; it attests to a robust recovery of the international tourism market post-pandemic, where Vietnam is successfully aligning with global recovery trends and maintaining sustainable growth, as indicated by steady growth rates and high rates of repeat visitors; and it reflects the confidence of international tourists in Vietnam as a safe, friendly, and enriching destination, with its endless beauty, both tangible and intangible. Moreover, this milestone paves the way for Vietnam to aim for 35 million international visitors by 2030, further enhancing tourism as a key economic sector and elevating the national brand.
On this occasion, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, along with the National Tourism Administration of Vietnam, plans to hold a ceremony welcoming the 20 millionth international visitor at Phu Quoc International Airport—one of the country’s busiest international gateways.
The event will feature a grand welcoming ceremony for passengers on the flight carrying the 20 millionth visitor, which is set to take place at the airplane’s foot and within the airport area. Additionally, three international guests will be honored: the 19,999,999th, the 20,000,000th, and the 20,000,001st visitors, who will receive special gifts representing Phu Quoc, an island renowned for its modern tourist and resort ecosystem amidst breathtaking natural scenery, making it a significant highlight for this event.
Phu Quoc not only symbolizes the renewed vitality of Vietnamese tourism but also serves as the chosen location to celebrate this historic moment for the industry.