Speaking at the HORECFEX 2026 tourism fair held on August 20-21, Do Cam Tho evaluated Vietnam's tourism sector. Referring to the country's tourism data, Do Cam Tho noted that there is a gap between the increase in visitor numbers and the economic contribution generated by visitor spending.
According to the information provided by Do Cam Tho, Vietnam welcomed 17.6 million international and 115 million domestic visitors in 2024. Total tourism revenue reached approximately $30.45 billion in the same year. In 2025, the number of international visitors increased to 21.2 million, while the number of domestic visitors rose to 137 million. Total tourism revenue also exceeded $39.04 billion.
In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam welcomed approximately 13.92 million international visitors. This represents an increase of 13.8 percent compared with the same period last year. During the same period, the number of domestic visitors reached approximately 98 million, while total tourism revenue stood at around $26.35 billion.
Do Cam Tho stated that these figures show that focusing solely on increasing visitor numbers is not sufficient for the tourism sector. Pointing out that the economic value generated has not increased at the same rate as visitor numbers, Do Cam Tho emphasized the need for a change in the sector's growth model.
In this context, Do Cam Tho said that the 2026-2027 period will be an important transition period for Vietnam's tourism sector. He stated that the country aims to move away from a growth model focused on increasing visitor numbers toward a new approach centered on the economic value generated per visitor, spending levels and the preservation of cultural identity.
Under the new approach, Vietnam's tourism policies will prioritize not only attracting more visitors but also attracting higher-spending visitors and increasing the added value that tourism provides to the country's economy.
