Vietnamese Outbound Travel Fuels Japan’s Tourism Recovery to Pre-Pandemic Highs

Vietnamese outbound travel is playing an increasingly important role in Japan’s tourism success as more Vietnamese travellers head to the country for culture, shopping, food, and seasonal experiences, supported by rising incomes, expanded flight networks, smoother visa processes, and targeted tourism promotions, helping Japan push visitor arrivals to their highest level since before the pandemic and reducing reliance on a few traditional source markets. Japan’s travel appeal among Vietnamese tourists reached a new milestone in 2025, as visitor numbers climbed to 678,500, marking a 9.2 percent year-on-year increase and the strongest performance since before the pandemic disrupted global travel in 2019. The steady rise came at a time when travellers across Asia were navigating economic uncertainty and periods of unfavourable weather, highlighting the resilience of demand between the two countries. The recovery did not happen overnight. Travel between Vietnam and Japan had been rebuilding gradually since borders reopened, but 2025 stood out as the year momentum fully returned. More Vietnamese travellers felt confident planning overseas trips again, supported by stable demand for leisure travel, short breaks, and family visits. Japan’s reputation for safety, efficiency, and well-developed transport infrastructure continued to play an important role in shaping travel decisions.