KUALA LUMPUR - Mainland China has overtaken South Korea to become Vietnam’s largest source of tourists in the first quarter of the year.

Official data showed China recorded 1.4 million arrivals during the period, despite a 12 per cent year-on-year decline, as reported by VnExpress.

South Korea ranked second with 1.32 million visitors, reflecting a 5 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

Figures from the General Statistics Office indicated that South Korea had led during the first two months of the year before China regained its position by the end of the quarter.

In March alone, China registered 482,000 arrivals, securing its return to the top spot.

The number of Chinese tourists visiting Vietnam in 2025 rose 41 per cent year-on-year to 5.2 million, making them the largest group of foreign arrivals.

Tourism experts attributed the surge to favourable safety conditions, close geographic proximity and relatively low travel costs.

They also noted that rising oil prices and disruptions to some international flight routes linked to tensions in the Middle East have influenced travel patterns.

Vietnam recorded 6.76 million international arrivals in the first three months of the year, marking a 12 per cent increase and the highest quarterly figure on record.

Data from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism showed that March alone saw nearly 2.1 million visitors.

This marks the first time Vietnam has exceeded two million international arrivals for three consecutive months within a single year.