Viet Nam’s tourism sector has staged a remarkable post-pandemic recovery, emerging as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing destinations. Following the reopening in 2022, international arrivals rose from 3.7 million in 2022 to approximately 17.6 million in 2024, equivalent to 98 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. Momentum continued into 2025, with around 15.4 million international visitors in the fi rst nine months of the year, while domestic travel remained strong at 119 million trips. Tourism revenue also refl ected this resurgence, highlighting tourism as a key driver of Viet Nam’s economic growth.
As Timor-Leste formally accedes to ASEAN as the organisation’s 11th member, tourism stands as a cornerstone of our nation’s economic transformation. Our vision is clear: to develop a sustainable, inclusive, and well-managed tourism sector that leverages our extraordinary natural assets, vibrant cultural heritage, and strategic location in Southeast Asia’s most biodiverse region.
The ASEAN Media Forum (AMF) was initially convened on 4 August 2017 in Manila, Philippines, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. Since that inaugural meeting, the AMF has evolved into a well-established regional platform that fosters connections among journalists, media leaders, and policymakers. Its mission is clearly defi ned: to facilitate the exchange of critical insights, enhance collaboration, and articulate the ongoing development of the ASEAN Community. The organisation of the AMF is undertaken by the Community Affairs Directorate of the Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat with support from the Federal Government of Germany via GIZ.
The issue focuses on tourism across Southeast Asia and the region’s efforts to support travel that is sustainable, resilient, and accessible, alongside national tourism campaigns from ASEAN Member States. It also reviews key ASEAN milestones in 2025 and includes reflections from ASEAN officials on regional priorities and cooperation.
