Welcoming Ms. Karolina Agnieszka Muskus, the 20 millionth international visitor to Vietnam

A LOT Polish Airlines flight from Poland brought more than 200 international passengers to Phu Quoc. The 20 millionth international visitor to Vietnam was Ms. Karolina Agnieszka Muskus, a Polish national. Traveling on the same flight were Ms. Milena Katarzyna Ciesielska-Skuza, the 19,999,999th visitor, and Mr. Karol Krzysztof Ciesielski, the 20,000,001st visitor - both also Polish nationals. The three honored guests received meaningful gifts from Sun Group and Ngoc Hien Pearl.

Vietnam has implemented visa-exemption policies for dozens of key markets, including Poland, creating more favorable conditions for international travelers to visit Vietnam. These policies have helped stimulate arrivals from Europe and underscore Vietnam’s commitment to enhancing its tourism environment and strengthening its appeal on the global tourism map.

Welcoming Ms. Milena Katarzyna Ciesielska-Skuza, the 19,999,999th visitor, and Mr. Karol Krzysztof Ciesielski, the 20,000,001st visitor

Vietnam - A Bright Spot on the Global Tourism Map

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong emphasized that welcoming the 20 millionth international visitor is an event of exceptional importance, marking a brilliant milestone in the 65-year development of Vietnam’s tourism industry.

In 2025, international arrivals to Vietnam increased by approximately 21%, well above the global growth of 5% and the Asia-Pacific regional average of 8%. Compared with the pre-COVID-19 period, Vietnam’s tourism recovery has exceeded 110%, while the Asia-Pacific region has merely recovered to around 90%.

According to the Deputy Minister, this milestone reflects both quantitative growth and qualitative improvement, as Vietnam steadily consolidates its position as an emerging, highly attractive destination on the global tourism map.

A Leading Destination for International Travelers

Reaching 20 million international arrivals affirms Vietnam’s growing global appeal, reflecting strong recovery momentum, market diversification, and a strategic focus on high-spending, long-stay travelers. It also reinforces international visitors’ confidence in a safe, friendly, experience-rich, and attractive Vietnam.

In 2025, Vietnam continued to receive prestigious international recognition, being honored for the sixth time by the World Travel Awards as the World’s Leading Heritage Destination, and for the seventh time as Asia’s Leading Destination, alongside other exellent awards for localities, destinations, and tourism enterprises. These accolades further enhance the credibility, appeal, and rising stature of the Vietnam Tourism brand worldwide.

Vietnam’s recent tourism breakthroughs have been driven by transformative visa policie - including expanded visa exemptions, e-visa implementation, and extended lengths of stay - together with enhanced air connectivity to key markets, renewed and technology-driven promotion efforts, strengthened public–private partnerships, diversified tourism products, improved service quality, and more effective state management. Together, these efforts have contributed to a professional, safe, and increasingly attractive tourism environment.

Phu Quoc: A World-Class Destination

As Vietnam’s leading island destination and the venue for welcoming the 20 millionth international visitor, Phu Quoc Island brings together outstanding natural assets, modern infrastructure, and a comprehensive tourism ecosystem.

The destination is increasingly demonstrating its capacity to host major national and international events, moving toward APEC 2027, and representing a new phase of Vietnam’s tourism development - greener, more sustainable, and higher in quality.

Phu Quoc today is not only the site of a historic milestone, but also a vivid embodiment of a dynamic, open, and forward-looking Vietnam, ready to accelerate its rise on the regional and global tourism map.

Tourism Information Technology Center