Want to be in the loop?
subscribe to
our notification
Business News
INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS TO VIETNAM DOWN IN FEBRUARY
Foreign visitors pass stalls displaying artwork at a street in HCMC - PHOTO: NGUYEN PHONG
HCMC – International arrivals to Vietnam reached more than 2.2 million in February 2026, down from 2.45 million in January, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance.
Despite the decline, February marked the third consecutive month with more than two million international visitors, following 2.02 million arrivals in December 2025.
Visitors from Asia remained the largest source, accounting for about 3.4 million arrivals, or 73% of total international visitors to Vietnam in the first two months of the year.
South Korea was the biggest market, with around 971,000 visitors, up nearly 10% from a year earlier. The increase was linked to demand for beach tourism, golf travel and family trips, along with extensive air connections between the two countries.
China ranked second, sending about 923,000 visitors. The two Northeast Asian markets continued to account for a large share of international arrivals.
Other Northeast Asian markets, including Japan and Taiwan (China), also recorded steady growth.
Several Southeast Asian markets posted double-digit increases compared with the same period last year. Arrivals from the Philippines rose 72%, Singapore 35%, Indonesia 27%, and Malaysia 16.5%.
Visitors from Cambodia increased 95.1%, reflecting tourism cooperation within ASEAN and convenient transport connections, according to the National Statistics Office.
Among emerging markets, India recorded about 158,000 visitors in the first two months, up more than 71% year-on-year. The growth was linked to new direct flights, tourism promotion activities and rising outbound travel demand from India’s middle class.
From Europe, Vietnam welcomed about 847,000 visitors, up 67.4% from a year earlier. Major markets such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany reported growth.
Russia remained the largest European source market, with about 247,000 visitors, an increase of more than 212%.
Arrivals from the Americas totaled 278,000. The United States remained among the 10 largest source markets, with around 210,000 visitors, up 16.3%, while Canada recorded about 50,000 visitors, up 22.9%.
From Oceania, Vietnam received about 130,000 visitors, a 15% increase, with Australia the main source market in the region.
Source: The Saigon Times
Related News
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
VIETNAM EXPANDS INLAND CONTAINER DEPOT NETWORK TO 19
The two newly added ICDs are Cai Mep in HCMC and Tan Cang-Moc Bai (phase one) in Tay Ninh Province. Cai Mep ICD, located in Cai Mep Industrial Park in Tan Phuoc Ward, HCMC and developed by Cai Mep International Logistics JSC, covers 9.15 hectares and has an annual handling capacity of about 133,000 TEUs, according to the Government news site (baochinhphu.vn).
BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX
HCMC CREDIT UP 1.5% IN Q1
Outstanding loans in the city reached an estimated VND5.28 quadrillion, up 0.77% from the previous month and 16.25% year-on-year, data from the State Bank of Vietnam’s Regional Branch 2 showed. Vietnam dong loans accounted for 96.1% of total credit and rose 1.46% from the end of 2025. Medium- and long-term lending made up 55% of total outstanding loans and increased 3.22%.
VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT
HCMC TO ESTABLISH CULTURAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND
The HCMC People’s Committee has tasked relevant departments with establishing a cultural industry development fund and developing a 150-hectare film studio complex. The move follows an instruction by HCMC Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang. The city’s cultural industry development fund will be structured under a venture capital model.
HR / LABOUR/ EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYEES’ AVERAGE INCOME INCREASES
Average monthly income of workers in the first quarter reached VND9 million, up 3.8% from the previous quarter and 8.5% from a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office. Male workers earned an average of VND10.1 million per month, compared with VND7.7 million for female workers. In urban areas, average income reached VND10.7 million per month, while in rural areas it was VND7.9 million.
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
HCMC KICKS OFF OVER 10 PROJECTS DURING APRIL
Work will start on major projects in transportation, urban development and logistics sectors in HCMC this month, coinciding with Vietnam’s Reunification Day, April 30. They include the N3 ramp at the An Phu interchange with an investment of VND3.4 trillion and the 1.69-hectare Tan Chanh Hiep Park. In addition to these, seven other projects are slated to break ground within the month, including the Ho Tram – Long Thanh airport urban expressway, the Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi port area and the Ho Chi Minh Museum expansion.
HOSPITALITY / TOURISM / ENTERTAINMENT
VIETNAM’S Q1 FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS HIT RECORD HIGH
Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international visitors in March, bringing first quarter foreign tourist arrivals to 6.76 million, up 12.4% year-on-year and marking a record high for the period, the national authority for tourism said. Air travel accounted for 82.3% of international arrivals, followed by land at 15.5% and sea at 2.2%, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
Events Sponsors
