PATA’s Annual Tourism Monitor, released on Oct. 22, shows Vietnam and South Korea’s arrival numbers as of the early months of 2026 were up 14.9% year-on-year and 21.4%.

Vietnam received 19.5 million foreign visitors through October, according to its National Statistics Office.

South Korea’s estimated numbers had surpassed its earlier full-year record of 18.94 million by Oct. 27, its tourism ministry said, as reported by Yonhap.

The Golden Bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam. Photo by Unsplash

Both countries also exceeded pre-pandemic visitor numbers.

Vietnam saw a 44.5% increase over the corresponding period in 2019, while South Korea's was 28.4% higher.

Their growth stood out against an uneven regional recovery.

The 44 destinations tracked by PATA welcomed 239 million international visitors, up just 2.9% year-on-year and still 3.7% below the corresponding 2019 level.

Some destinations recorded declines, including Thailand, where international arrivals fell 4.9% year-on-year.

PATA said the next phase of growth would depend on more than restoring visitor numbers.

It urged destinations to attract visitors from a wider range of markets, encourage longer stays, and spread tourism beyond major attractions and peak seasons.