From 2015 to 2019, the number of US tourists visiting Vietnam saw steady growth. In 2015, Vietnam welcomed 491,000 US visitors, and by 2019, this figure had risen to 746,000, marking a 1.5-fold increase. During this period, the average annual growth rate was 11%.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the US market rebounded quickly, with 717,000 arrivals in 2023—about 96% of the 2019 level. In the first eight months of 2024, Vietnam received 529,000 US visitors, an 8% increase over the same period in 2023 and 1.7% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The market of American tourists to Vietnam recovers quickly after the COVID-19 pandemic (Source: The General Statistics Office)
US tourists are known for their high spending and long stays. According to a 2019 survey by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, American visitors spent an average of $1,570.80 and stayed for 12 days—considerably higher than the overall averages for international visitors ($1,074 spent over 8.1 days).
Vietnam holds significant appeal for US tourists, offering stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and renowned cuisine. Many American films have also featured Vietnam’s iconic locations, such as the blockbuster Kong: Skull Island, which was filmed in Ha Long Bay, Quang Binh, and Ninh Binh. This creates a valuable opportunity for Vietnam’s tourism industry to capture the interest of the US market through the lens of cinema.
From September 23 to 25, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will host the Vietnam Tourism-Cinema Promotion Program in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, under the theme “Vietnam – New Destination of World Cinema.” This initiative aims to promote Vietnam as a prime location for international film production, attracting Hollywood studios to shoot in Vietnam. Such exposure has the potential to generate significant media attention and boost tourism.
With the recent upgrade of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, along with increasing US investment in Vietnam’s tourism sector, the potential for growth in tourism exchange is enormous. Vietnam Airlines has already launched a direct flight connecting the two nations, further facilitating travel. The Vietnam Tourism-Cinema Promotion Program is expected to strengthen partnerships with US businesses and enhance Vietnam’s global image as a top destination for both tourists and filmmakers.
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Source: Vietnam Insider