Hanoi tourism posts robust growth in Jan-May
The capital city is steadily solidifying its reputation as a top cultural and tourist destination in the region, attracting more and more travelers from near and far.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi welcomed 12.77 million tourists in the first five months of 2025, a 10.9% increase on the same period in 2024.
Visitors to the UNESCO-recognized Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Trang Yen
International arrivals reached 3.16 million, marking a substantial year-on-year increase of 20.2%, with 2.23 million visitors utilizing accommodation services, statistics by the Hanoi Department of Tourism showed.
Total revenue generated from tourism activities during this period is VND51.94 trillion (US$2 billion), a 14.1% rise from the previous year.
Hanoi attracted an estimated 2.72 million tourists in May 2025 alone, which is a 16.9% increase compared to May 2024. International visitors numbered an estimated 567,370, up 25% year-on-year, including around 400,000 overnight stays.
Domestic tourists reached an estimated 2.16 million, demonstrating a 14.9% increase. Revenue from tourism in May 2025 is projected to surge to VND10.54 trillion (US$406 million), reflecting a notable 19% increase from the same month last year.
Despite the ongoing challenges faced by the global tourism industry, Hanoi's tourism sector has maintained stable growth with expansion of key source markets such as Japan, South Korea, China, France, and the United States.
Foreign travelers in Hanoi for the 2025 Reunification and May Day holidays. Photo: Huy Pham/ The Hanoi Times
International visitors have expressed high appreciation for tourism experiences centered on cultural heritage, local cuisine, traditional craft villages, and vibrant nightlife. The sustained growth from established markets highlights Hanoi's growing appeal in the global tourism industry.
Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, outlined five tasks for the coming months, including enhancing management efficiency, developing diverse tourism products, fostering market cooperation, intensifying promotional efforts, accelerating digital transformation, and strengthening oversight for better tourism environment.
Specifically, the capital's tourism authorities will prioritize supporting heritage sites and cultural relic management units in developing cultural tourism offerings, especially nighttime tours.
"The Hanoi Department of Tourism continues to innovate tourism packages in potential areas, such as night tourism in Hoan Kiem and Tay Ho districts, adventure sports, experiential tours, Red River tourism, and virtual reality," said Giang.
Giang also highlighted plans to develop interconnected routes and complementary tourism packages. Proposed itineraries include the spiritual and cultural tourism route from Hanoi to Ha Nam and Ninh Binh, as well as the discovery and experience tourism routes from Hanoi to Son La and Lao Cai, and Lai Chau. These itineraries are designed to create mutually beneficial tourism offerings.
