More than nine million foreign tourists visited Vietnam in the first 11 months of 2016, up 25.5 percent from the same period last year and above the initial target of 8.5 million arrivals for 2016, according to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam.
Hanoi (VNA) – Morethan nine mil❀lion foreign tourists visited Vietnam in the first 11 months of 2016,up 25.5 percent from the same period last year and above the initial target of8.5 million arrivals for 201🍸6, according to the General Statistics Office ofVietnam.
Growth was seen in most markets,particularly Hong Kong (China), China, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand,Russia, Thailand, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK. The tourism sector grossed 368.6trillion VND (16.2 billion USD) in the period, a yearly increase of 18.6percent. Vietnam aims to cater for 9.7million international tourists and 62 million domestic travellers and earn atotal of 400 trillion VND (17.6 billion USD) in revenue in 2016.-VNA
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Foreign investors have showed their interest in Vietnam’s tourism sector as well as the Government’s policies to promote the sector during the Hospitality Investment Conference Vietnam 2016.
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Gulf News, one of two English-language daily publications in the Persian Gulf region, listed the main reasons for its destination picks as being a mix of iconic cities, cultural treasures, tropical escapes, and foodie havens.
With the country rapidly advancing its plan to merge provincial-level administrative units, set to be completed by mid-August, the tourism industry, along with other sectors, is presented with challenges but also significant opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth in the era of the nation's rise.
Located at an altitude of over 1,500 metres above sea level, Sapa is dubbed the “Switzerland of Vietnam” for its temperate climate, breathtaking scenery, and European-inspired architecture.
A quick search for “Vietnam is calling” on TikTok reveals a myriad of clips capturing the excitement of visitors setting off for Vietnam, with short videos showing tourists holding their passports, wheeling their suitcases through airports or exploring Vietnam’s scenic landscapes, diverse cuisine and unique culture - all set to upbeat, catchy soundtracks.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
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As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
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During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
Illuatrative image (Source: VNA) 
