Tourism Boosts Vietnam’s Economic Outlook in 2025

Posted by Written by Ayman Falak Medina Reading Time: 3 minutes

Vietnam’s tourism sector is emerging as a critical pillar of the country’s economic momentum in 2025. In just the first four months of the year, the country welcomed over 7.67 million international visitors, a 23.8 percent increase from the same period in 2024. This puts Vietnam on track to surpass its full-year target and reflects a robust revival of global travel interest.

Tourism is not only rebounding — it is helping redefine Vietnam’s global profile. The surge in arrivals is being matched by rising online interest, with Vietnam recently overtaking Thailand and Singapore in tourism-related search growth. With GDP projected to expand between 6 and 6.8 percent this year, according to the World Bank, the tourism sector is playing a central role alongside exports and manufacturing in driving growth.

Economic contributions of the tourism sector

In 2024, Vietnam’s tourism sector contributed around 6.6 percent to the country’s nominal GDP, reflecting its integral role in national development. The first quarter of 2025 saw tourism revenue reach approximately VND 21.5 trillion (US$833.1 million), an 18.3 percent year-on-year increase.

Tourism also plays a major role in job creation. Travel and tourism-related employment is projected to reach 5.96 million jobs in 2024, supporting one in every nine jobs in the country. The sector’s employment contribution spans both formal and informal roles, helping stabilize household incomes and reduce underemployment, particularly in rural and regional areas.

Key investment opportunities in Vietnam’s tourism sector

Recent investment trends show growing foreign interest across multiple segments of Vietnam’s tourism economy, from traditional hospitality to emerging digital services. Investors are not only focusing on physical assets like hotels and airports but are also exploring new opportunities in regional destinations and digital platforms.

Foreign direct investment is accelerating in 2025, as both global brands and infrastructure developers look to tap into the country’s tourism resurgence.

Luxury hospitality projects attracting global brands

Vietnam’s high-end tourism infrastructure is seeing significant capital inflows. A flagship example is the Trump Organization’s US$1.5 billion project near Hanoi, developed in partnership with Kinh Bac City. The complex will feature luxury hotels, two 54-hole golf courses, and a residential area. More broadly, Vietnam’s accommodation and food services sector recorded US$36.6 million in FDI in March 2025 alone, with four new projects valued at over US$33 million. These figures point to sustained investor appetite for premium tourism assets.

Transport infrastructure underpins tourism expansion

The Vietnamese government’s infrastructure drive is a critical enabler of tourism growth. By the end of 2025, 1,188 kilometers of expressways are expected to be completed, extending the national network to 3,000 kilometers. This expanded connectivity will open inland and coastal regions for new investment and reduce travel time between major tourist zones.

Aviation capacity is rising with strategic airport projects

Aviation infrastructure is seeing parallel investment momentum. The T2 terminal at Dong Hoi Airport in Quang Binh is under construction with a US$70 million budget and is set to handle three million passengers annually. Meanwhile, India’s Adani Group is exploring investments in Long Thanh and Chu Lai airports, indicating growing international interest in Vietnam’s aviation sector, especially in locations tied to tourism corridors.

Unlocking regional potential beyond the big cities

As major cities reach maturity, investor interest is pivoting to provinces like Ninh Binh, Vung Tau, and Ha Giang. These emerging destinations are gaining visibility through government promotion, new roads, and community-led tourism. The result is rising demand for boutique hotels, eco-resorts, and cultural experiences — subsectors where foreign partnerships are particularly welcome.

Digital transformation as a competitive edge

Vietnam’s digital push is enhancing its tourism value chain. The expanded e-visa regime and simplified digital entry procedures are attracting more travelers, while innovations like mobile-based bookings, QR-coded heritage sites, and AI itinerary apps are transforming visitor experiences. For investors, this opens a window into fast-scaling opportunities in travel tech, data analytics, and digital infrastructure integration.

Why Vietnam’s tourism sector is a long-term play

Tourism is helping reshape Vietnam’s economic outlook, offering a dynamic mix of domestic growth, regional development, and digital modernization. For foreign investors, this resurgence presents timely opportunities in hospitality, travel tech, and infrastructure.

As Vietnam continues its ascent as a top-tier destination in Asia, 2025 marks a turning point — not just in recovery, but in long-term repositioning on the global tourism map.

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