Visa: Vietnam emerges as preferred destination for Asian travelers
DNO - Vietnam is emerging as an increasingly attractive destination for international travelers as new travel trends identified by Visa place greater emphasis on flexibility, security, and digital payment convenience.
According to Visa's 2026 Global Travel Intentions (GTI) study, travel trends across the Asia-Pacific region are shifting strongly toward destinations that are nearby and convenient, and provide travelers with a sense of security.
Vietnam has been emerging as one of the most favored destinations among Asian travelers thanks to its strategic location, diverse experiences, and rapidly expanding digital payment ecosystem.
The survey was conducted among over 47,000 people worldwide, including 17,000 in the Asia-Pacific region and over 1,000 in Vietnam.
As a result, travel demand remains robust despite global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. However, convenience, safety, and seamless payment experiences are increasingly becoming decisive factors in destination selection.
Vietnam benefits from intra-regional travel trend
One of the most prominent trends identified by Visa is the rapid growth of intra-regional travel in the Asia-Pacific region. Up to 63% of travelers in the region prioritize destinations close to their place of residence, significantly higher than other regions of the world.
This trend is opening up many opportunities for Vietnam. With its favorable geographical location, increasingly developed air connectivity, and diverse tourism products, the country is becoming an attractive choice for regional travelers who want to seek short getaways and cultural exploration trips.
In particular, the strong recovery of the Chinese tourist market is expected to provide additional impetus for the growth of Vietnam’s tourism industry.
According to Visa's research, Vietnam, along with South Korea and Thailand, is among the destinations most favored by Chinese travelers in 2026.
Besides the advantages of geographical proximity and competitive costs, tourism-friendly policies such as the expansion of e-visas and the extension of the stay limit up to 90 days for citizens of eligible countries and territories, have contributed to enhancing Vietnam's attractiveness on the regional tourism map.
Asian travelers are also increasingly looking beyond traditional leisure holidays, favoring authentic local experiences such as culinary exploration, cultural immersion, and participation in entertainment and international sporting events.
These are among the key strengths that Vietnam's tourism sector has successfully developed in recent years.
Digital payments become a new competitive advantage
In addition to destination appeal, Visa’s study highlights payment experiences as an increasingly important part of modern travel.
Today's travelers are more concerned about convenient payment options, transaction security, and the availability of card and digital wallet acceptance at destinations.
Meanwhile, nearly half of survey participants use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to search for information, select destinations, and review recommendations before booking travel services.
Notably, Vietnamese people are among the most willing users of AI in the region when planning their trips.
At the same time, the acceptance of card payments and the level of transaction security are also among factors that Vietnamese tourists are particularly concerned about when choosing a destination.
According to Visa, as travelers increasingly prioritize familiarity, convenience, and flexibility, destinations with advanced payment ecosystems and seamless digital experiences will enjoy stronger competitive advantages in attracting international visitors.
In this context, with the rapid development of cashless payments, along with its rich tourism resources and traveler-friendly policies, Vietnam is well positioned to be one of Asia’s most favorite destinations among Asian travelers.