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Hanoi Breaks Tourism Record with 33.7 Million Visitors in 2025

Hanoi Breaks Tourism Record with 33.7 Million Visitors in 2025

Hanoi welcomed 33.7 million visitors in 2025 — a record-breaking 20.87% increase. International arrivals hit 7.82 million. What this means for dental tourism at Picasso Dental Clinic.

By Dr. Emily Nguyen, DDS, Founder & Principal Dentist · · 9 min read

Last updated: April 25, 2026

Hanoi closed 2025 with its most successful tourism year on record. The city welcomed 33.7 million visitors over the course of the year — a 20.87% increase over 2024 — according to figures published by the Hanoi Department of Tourism and reported by VietnamPlus and Vietnamnet in late 2025 and early 2026. Of those, 7.82 million were international arrivals, up 22.76% year-on-year. Tourism revenue reached 134.46 trillion VND, approximately USD 5.11 billion, representing a 21.5% increase. These numbers are not only a post-pandemic recovery story — they confirm that Hanoi has firmly established itself among Asia’s premier travel destinations. For international visitors considering combining travel with dental treatment, the timing has never been more favourable. The city that once required careful planning to visit is now easier, richer, and more rewarding than ever.

Hanoi’s Record-Breaking Tourism Numbers for 2025

The headline figure of 33.7 million total visitors places Hanoi in an entirely different tier compared to its pre-pandemic baseline. International arrivals of 7.82 million represented a 22.76% year-on-year increase and, critically, a significant overshoot of pre-2020 levels for several key markets.

Tourism revenue of 134.46 trillion VND — roughly USD 5.11 billion — reflects not just higher visitor volumes but higher average spending per trip. The city’s growing stock of international hotels, refined dining, and premium cultural experiences has encouraged visitors to stay longer and spend more.

The World Travel Awards 2025 named Hanoi “Asia’s Leading City Destination,” a recognition that carries significant weight in international travel circles. TripAdvisor independently ranked Hanoi 2nd among the world’s top 25 cultural destinations — placing it ahead of far larger and more established cities. Together, these two accolades confirm what the arrival numbers already suggested: Hanoi has crossed a threshold from interesting regional destination to genuine world-class travel experience.

The Hanoi Department of Tourism set a 2026 target of 35.8 million total visitors and 8.6 million international arrivals — projections that look achievable given the momentum of 2025.

Which Countries Are Visiting Hanoi?

The composition of international arrivals in 2025 reflected both the strength of regional Asian markets and a notable resurgence from long-haul English-speaking countries.

South Korea, China, and Japan collectively accounted for approximately 60% of all international arrivals to Hanoi. These three markets have historically dominated inbound tourism across Vietnam, and their dominance continued in 2025, driven by the expansion of direct flight routes and the enduring appeal of Vietnamese food, culture, and affordability.

The standout story for dental tourism purposes was Australia. Australian arrivals to Hanoi grew 64.5% compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels, reaching 135,382 visitors in 2025. This is a remarkable figure given that Australia is a long-haul market with many competing Asian destinations. The surge reflects a broader pattern: Australian travellers have rediscovered Vietnam and are choosing Hanoi specifically, in part because of the city’s reputation for quality healthcare at substantially lower costs than at home.

The table below compares approximate international arrivals for key source markets, illustrating how dramatically Hanoi’s international appeal has grown:

MarketEst. 2019 Arrivals2025 ArrivalsChange vs 2019
South Korea~900,000~1,100,000++20%+
China~800,000~900,000++12%+
Japan~400,000~450,000++10%+
Australia~82,300135,382+64.5%
USA~200,000~240,000++20%+
France~180,000~210,000++16%+

Source: Hanoi Department of Tourism; VietnamPlus; Vietnamnet. Some figures are estimates based on reported growth percentages.

European markets — particularly France, Germany, and the United Kingdom — also posted solid growth, reflecting improved long-haul flight connectivity and Hanoi’s rising profile on the international travel circuit.

What Is Bringing Visitors to Hanoi?

Hanoi’s tourism success is not built on one attraction but on the cumulative appeal of a city that rewards exploration. The historic Old Quarter, with its narrow guild streets and French colonial architecture, remains the defining experience. Hoan Kiem Lake provides a living centrepiece for the city, surrounded by temples, street food stalls, and weekend pedestrian zones.

The broader Hanoi experience extends to Tay Ho (West Lake), the oldest temple in the city at the Temple of Literature, and the striking Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex. Day trips to Ha Long Bay — one of the world’s most photographed landscapes — Ninh Binh, and Sapa are easily arranged from the capital.

Hanoi’s food scene has elevated the city’s status further. The city is routinely ranked among Asia’s best culinary destinations, with pho, bun cha, banh mi, and egg coffee drawing visitors who come specifically to eat their way through the city’s street stalls and neighbourhood restaurants.

The World Travel Awards “Asia’s Leading City Destination” title in 2025 validated what frequent visitors already knew: Hanoi delivers a cultural density rarely found in Southeast Asian capitals. The TripAdvisor top-25 cultural destinations ranking placed Hanoi second globally, a statement about the city’s authenticity and depth of experience relative to its size.

All of this makes Hanoi an ideal base for dental tourism. Patients who travel for treatment are not simply sitting in a hotel waiting for appointments — they are exploring one of Asia’s most rewarding cities, often accompanied by partners or family who come for the travel experience alone.

How the Tourism Boom Benefits Dental Tourists in Hanoi

Hanoi’s record tourism performance has practical benefits for international dental patients that go beyond the pleasures of sightseeing.

Flight connectivity has expanded significantly. As inbound visitor numbers grew, airlines responded with more routes and more frequency. Vietnam Airlines, VietJet, and Bamboo Airways now operate extensive international networks in and out of Noi Bai International Airport. Direct services from Australia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and multiple European hubs have increased, reducing travel time and often lowering ticket prices through competition.

Accommodation quality and supply have grown. Hanoi now has a robust stock of internationally branded hotels alongside boutique properties in the Old Quarter and lakeside neighbourhoods. Patients travelling for week-long or two-week dental treatment programmes have more choices at every price point, with many properties offering extended-stay rates that make multi-week visits cost-effective.

Support infrastructure is stronger. The surge in international visitors has driven improvements in English-language signage, transport apps, cashless payment options, and the general ease of navigating the city. For a first-time visitor arriving for dental treatment, Hanoi is a significantly more accessible city in 2025 than it was in 2019.

The experience itself is richer. When a patient books two weeks for an All-on-4 dental implant treatment, they are not simply filling in time between appointments. They are visiting a city that TripAdvisor has ranked 2nd globally for cultural depth. Partners who accompany patients find a full itinerary of genuinely world-class experiences. This combination of clinical value and travel quality is what distinguishes Hanoi from lower-cost destinations that offer savings but little else.

For patients comparing dental implant costs in Vietnam versus Australia, the tourism context matters: the savings on a single implant case alone can pay for two people’s flights, accommodation, and dining for ten days.

Planning Dental Treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic in Hanoi

Picasso Dental Clinic — formerly known as Serenity International Dental Clinic — operates its flagship Hanoi location at 16 Pho Chau Long, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh, a short walk from the shores of West Lake in one of Hanoi’s most pleasant neighbourhoods. The clinic has treated thousands of international patients from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and across Europe and Asia.

The clinical team is entirely English-speaking, which removes the communication barrier that concerns many first-time dental tourists. Treatment planning, informed consent, post-operative instructions, and follow-up communication are all conducted in fluent English.

For implant treatment, the clinic uses premium implant systems including Straumann (Switzerland), Nobel Biocare (Sweden), and Osstem (South Korea) — the same systems used by leading clinics in Sydney, London, and Los Angeles. Patients typically save 50% to 70% compared to equivalent treatment costs at home.

Whether you need a single dental implant, a full-arch All-on-4 restoration, porcelain veneers, or a complete smile makeover, Picasso Dental Clinic provides a treatment experience that matches international clinical standards at Vietnam prices. Contact us to request a free online consultation and personalised cost estimate before you book your flights.

What to Expect in Hanoi in 2026

The Hanoi Department of Tourism has set ambitious but credible targets for 2026: 35.8 million total visitors and 8.6 million international arrivals. Achieving these figures would represent approximately 6% growth in total visitors and roughly 10% growth in international arrivals over the record-setting 2025 baseline.

Several factors support the optimistic projection. Vietnam’s visa-on-arrival and e-visa policies continue to simplify access for travellers from Australia, Europe, North America, and most of Asia. Airlines are expanding capacity on routes to Hanoi rather than contracting it. The World Travel Awards and TripAdvisor recognition from 2025 will drive increased awareness and bookings in subsequent years — travel accolades typically produce a multi-year halo effect on visitor numbers.

The broader Vietnam tourism ecosystem is also strengthening. Government investment in transport infrastructure, the continued development of Noi Bai International Airport, and a sustained national campaign to promote Vietnam internationally are all tailwinds for Hanoi specifically.

For dental tourists, 2026 will be another strong year to visit. If you have been weighing whether to combine a trip to Hanoi with dental treatment, the city’s record-breaking momentum is a signal that the experience will only improve. Get in touch with Picasso Dental Clinic to start planning your visit — our international patient coordinators can help you align your dental appointments with your travel itinerary so you make the most of your time in one of Asia’s finest cities.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Nguyen, DDS, Founder & Principal Dentist

Founder & Principal Dentist of Picasso Dental Clinic. Over 15 years of experience in implant dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and full-mouth rehabilitation. Read full bio

Last reviewed: April 25, 2026

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