Visitors leave a temple by West Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 3, 2026. Vietnam welcomed nearly 12.3 million international visitors in the first six months of 2026, up 14.9 percent year on year, the National Statistics Office said Friday. (Photo: Xinhua)

HANOI, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam welcomed nearly 12.3 million international visitors in the first six months of 2026, up 14.9 percent year on year, the National Statistics Office said Friday.

Of the total, 10.1 million visitors arrived by air, accounting for 82.6 percent of all international arrivals, up 11.4 percent year on year.

Arrivals by road reached 1.9 million, representing 15.7 percent of the total, while arrivals by sea totaled 209,000, accounting for 1.7 percent.

Asian markets remained the largest source of international visitors, contributing more than 9 million arrivals during the period, followed by Europe with over 2 million visitors, according to the report.

Visitors leave a temple by West Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 3, 2026. Vietnam welcomed nearly 12.3 million international visitors in the first six months of 2026, up 14.9 percent year on year, the National Statistics Office said Friday. (Photo by Tran Kien/Xinhua)

Visitors purchase souvenirs by West Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 3, 2026. Vietnam welcomed nearly 12.3 million international visitors in the first six months of 2026, up 14.9 percent year on year, the National Statistics Office said Friday. (Photo by Tran Kien/Xinhua)

Visitors pass by Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 3, 2026. Vietnam welcomed nearly 12.3 million international visitors in the first six months of 2026, up 14.9 percent year on year, the National Statistics Office said Friday. (Photo by Tran Kien/Xinhua)