A group of Chinese tourists visit Ninh Binh Province in northern Vietnam on Jan. 29, 2025. Photo by Minh Duong
Vietnam emerged as Southeast Asia’s leading destination for Chinese tourists in 2025, drawing 5.2 million arrivals as more flights boosted demand.
Last year, several new direct flights were launched between Hanoi and Chinese cities including Ningbo, Chengdu, Shanghai and Xi’an, making travel between the two countries more convenient.
Malaysia ranked second with 4.7 million visitors, supported by its flexible visa waiver policy, according to data from tourism ministries across Southeast Asia.
It last year announced the extension of visa exemption for Chinese travelers for another five years, with an option to extend it for an additional five years until 2036, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
Thailand, once the most popular destination for Chinese tourists in Southeast Asia, now ranked third with 4.47 million as it struggles with safety concerns following the kidnapping of Chinese actor Xing Xing in January.
Singapore, which waived visas for Chinese tourists since 2024, ranked fourth with 3.1 million.
Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, recorded a sharp rise in visitors from China in 2025, with arrivals reaching 1.34 million, the highest level in six years.
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