November visitor surge as Hanoi readies tourism campaign
Hanoi is witnessing a surge in tourism, with both international and domestic arrivals reaching record levels.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi’s tourism sector recorded a sharp rise in November as visitor numbers climbed 14.7% to an estimated 2.5 million, including 851,100 international travelers, up 25% year on year, according to the Hanoi Department of Tourism.
Visitors explore the city on The Hanoi Train, enjoying a unique tour that showcases the sights and sounds of the capital. Photo: Huy Pham/ The Hanoi Times
Over the first 11 months, Hanoi welcomed 30.94 million visitors, up 22.1% from 2024. International arrivals reached 7.09 million, rising 25.2%, including five million overnight stays. Domestic visitors totaled 23.84 million, an increase of 21.3% year-on-year.
Tourism revenue during this period is estimated at VND120.6 trillion ($4.58 billion), up 20.7% from last year. The average hotel occupancy rate reached 73.4%, signaling a strong recovery in the accommodation sector.
Hanoi currently has 3,761 lodging facilities offering more than 71,000 rooms, including hundreds rated from one to five stars. The city has expanded service infrastructure, adding new dining, shopping, entertainment and wellness options to enhance visitor experiences.
Hanoi's Muong ethnic performers showcase a traditional gong performance in Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian street to celebrate Vietnam Heritage Day on November 23. Photo: Huy Pham/ The Hanoi Times
Building on this momentum, Hanoi will launch a series of large-scale promotional activities in December 2025. The Department of Tourism will organize events to boost travel demand, including the 2025 Hanoi Craft Village, Craft Street Food and Tourism Festival.
Authorities will also coordinate with local communes to diversify tourism offerings, including agricultural and rural tourism, night-time tourism, golf tourism and community-based tourism that showcases the traditional cultural values of ethnic minority groups.
The Department will submit a proposal to the municipal People’s Committee to innovate management and conservation at the Huong Son Complex (Huong Pagoda), a national special historical and scenic site.
Hanoi aims to welcome 31 million visitors in 2025, including 7.5 million international arrivals, accounting for more than 30% of the country's target for international visitors. Total tourism revenue is projected at VND130 trillion ($4.9 billion).
