Vietnam received a record 21.17 million international visitors in 2025, representing a 20.4 percent increase from the previous year and the highest number ever recorded, according to data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism. This growth has boosted expectations for the casino and gaming industries, as well as the country’s overall GGR.
The figure was also 17.8 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019, highlighting a strong recovery in the country’s tourism sector. December 2025 alone saw just over 2.02 million foreign arrivals, up 15.7 percent year-on-year, the authority said.
Top destination for Chinese tourists
Tourists from the Chinese mainland accounted for the largest share of international arrivals, making up 25 percent of total visitors. Around 5.28 million Chinese tourists travelled to Vietnam last year, a 41.3 percent increase compared with 2024.
South Korea ranked second, with approximately 4.33 million visitors, while travellers from Taiwan placed third, accounting for 1.23 million arrivals in 2025. Local media quoted Nguyen Trung Khanh, chairman of Vietnam’s tourism authority, as saying the country ranked among the world’s fastest-growing travel destinations last year. He added that the strong performance had laid a solid foundation for Vietnam’s target of attracting 25 million international visitors by 2026.
Vietnam also overtook Thailand as the top destination for Chinese travellers in the region. Thailand recorded a 33 percent decline in Chinese arrivals, amid concerns over kidnapping incidents and broader regional tensions, alongside a 7.23 percent fall in overall international visitor numbers.
GDP sees 8% growth
The surge in tourism provided a boost to the wider economy. According to the National Statistics Office, Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 8.02 percent in 2025, while the services sector expanded by 8.62 percent, accounting for more than half of total value added.
The rise in visitor numbers has also drawn attention to Vietnam’s broader entertainment and gaming markets. While official figures remain limited, government-linked media outlets estimate the country’s gaming industry revenue stood at around $492–493 million in 2024, covering mobile games and other forms of digital gaming, rather than gambling alone.
For 2025, total gaming industry revenue is forecast to exceed $430 million, driven by continued growth in mobile game downloads and digital sales, according to VietnamPlus. Whereas, Statista market research suggests the wider iGaming market, including online betting, casinos, and lotteries, could reach approximately $1.66 billion this year.
No official data yet on GGR
Vietnam does not publish official figures for gambling-related gross gambling revenue (GGR). However, industry analysts estimate that GGR for 2024, largely from online betting and casino play, ranged between $800 million and $1.2 billion, including activity in the grey market.
Analysts say 2026 could prove pivotal for Vietnam’s gaming and entertainment sectors, as rising tourism, digital adoption, and regulatory developments converge. With visitor numbers continuing to climb, the country is increasingly positioning itself as a key regional hub for travel, services, and digital entertainment in Southeast Asia.
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