Vietnam received 19.5 million foreign visitors through October 2026, according to the National Statistics Office. This is a 14.9 % increase from the same period last year and 44.5 % higher than 2019.

South Korea’s tourism ministry said arrivals reached more than 18.94 million by Oct 27, beating its previous full‑year record. The arrivals were up 21.4 % year‑on‑year and 28.4 % above 2019 levels.

PATA’s monitor of 44 Asia‑Pacific destinations showed total international arrivals rose only 2.9 % year‑on‑year to 239 million, still 3.7 % below 2019. Some places, such as Thailand, saw a 4.9 % decline.

PATA said the next growth phase needs more than just more visitors. It urges destinations to attract a wider range of markets, encourage longer stays, and spread tourism beyond major attractions and peak seasons, a lesson other regions can follow.