It was followed by Cambodia (176%), Laos (122%), Singapore (106%), and Australia (102%), data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism shows.

A group of Indian tourists at a five-star resort in Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam, February 2023.

Vietnamese carriers in 2023 raced to start new direct services to Vietnam's major tourist destinations from Indian cities to tap into the world's most populous market.

Data from Google's "Year in Search 2023" report showed Vietnam was the most searched tourist destination by Indians last year.

With Thailand and Malaysia already waiving visas for Indian tourists, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung urged the government to do the same to compete with them.

Southeast Asia has also become a bright spot for Vietnam’s inbound tourism market.

The visa-free stay of 30 days for nationals of ASEAN member countries and the plethora of direct flights to Vietnamese cities from Southeast Asia have been credited for rapid growth, insiders said.

Australians are also increasingly traveling to Vietnam thanks to low airfares and a number of new direct flights from their country to Hanoi and HCMC.

Data from flight ticket sales website Skycanner showed Ho Chi Minh City was one of 10 most searched destinations by Australians last year after increasing by 246%.

Tourist numbers from Indonesia recovered to 99% of pre-pandemic levels while Thailand and U.S. had a recovery rate of 96%, according to the tourism authority.

Numbers from China, which used to be the highest before the pandemic, were at only 30%.

Vietnam received 12.6 million foreign visitors in 2023, around 70% of the pre-pandemic figure. The country targets to recover to the pre-pandemic levels this year.

Vietnam wraps up 2023 with 12.6 million foreign visitors

Vietnam received 12.6 million international visitors this year, up 3.4 times against the previous year but only around 70% of pre-pandemic times.

New Year activities in and around Hanoi

Options for the three-day New Year holiday for people in Hanoi include outdoor countdowns, hot mineral bath and serene camping.

Top 10 popular destinations among Vietnam travellers for year-end holidays

Recent figures from online travel company Booking.com show that Vietnamese tourists tended to travel to countries with vibrant and bustling atmospheres reached by a short flight during the year-end holiday season in 2023.

Hanoi's Old Quarter pedestrian space to open throughout New Year holiday

The pedestrian space in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem District will open from Dec. 29 through Jan. 1 to serve local residents and visitors during the 2024 New Year holiday.

Vietnam a leading destination for French visitors: French daily

Despite belt tightening as a result of gloomy global economic situation, French could not give up their travel temptation. Vietnam, along with Japan and Thailand, was the top choice for French vacationers during Christmas holiday, according to French daily Le Figaro.

Source: VnExpress