Hanoi, March 13 -- Despite recording a third consecutive month with international arrivals surpassing 2 million, Vietnam's tourism industry is facing fresh challenges in 2026 as Middle East tensions and rising fuel prices push up airfares and operating costs.

Slight dip in international arrivals seen as seasonal

Latest figures from the National Statistics Office show Vietnam welcomed more than 2.2 million international visitors in February, marking the third straight month that arrivals exceeded the 2-million threshold. This follows 2.45 million in January and 2.02 million in December last year. Overall, nearly 4.7 million foreign visitors arrived in the first two months of the year, up 18.1% year-on-year.

However, February arrivals de...