Vietnam welcomes 11.6 million foreign tourists in nine months
The number of international tourist arrivals to Vietnam in the third quarter of this year increased 14.9 percent against the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Tourists at King Dinh Tien Hoang's Temple. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The number ofinternational tourist arrivals to Vietnam in the third quarter of this year increased14.9 percent against the same period last year, according to the GeneralStatistics Office (GSO).
However, the figure was still lower than those inthe first and second quarters which stood at 30.9 percent and 23.1 percent,respectively.
Between January and September, Vietnam welcomed some11.61 million foreign holiday-makers, a year-on-year rise of 22.9 percent, withvisitors by air, road and sea up 17.4 percent, 62.1 percent and 0.5 percent,respectively.
Tourists from Asia rose 27.2 percent; Europe, 9.8percent; America, 12.5 percent; Oceania, 6.3 percent; and Africa, 19.5 percent.
In September, the Vietnam National Administration ofTourism (VNAT) conducted various activities in foreign markets in an effort toattract international vacationers.
Also this month, the agency held tourism promotion activitiesfor the first time in Canada on the occasion of the 45th anniversaryof bilateral diplomatic ties (1973-2018).
Vietnam’s policies, destinations, tourism productsand services for foreign tourists were introduced in the Canadian market.
In Asia, apart from China, the Philippines, Vietnamand Japan record a high rise in the number of Canadian visitors, said theVNAT’s Tourism Marketing Department.
The VNAT plans to team up with the US TravelAssociation and the Hanoi Promotion Agency to organise a tourism promotionprogramme in Washington DC and New York.
The US has remained one of Vietnam’s top fivetourism markets with the number of vacationers to the country exceeding 614,000in 2017, up 11 percent against 2016. As of August 2018, Vietnam had served486,000 US holiday-makers, a year-on-year increase of 14.5 percent.-VNA
Vietnam welcomed more than 9 million foreign vacationers in the first seven months of 2018, a year-on-year rise of 25.4 percent, according to the General Statistic Office.
A Vietnam tourism promotion programme was held in Toronto on September 17 night, wrapping up the Vietnamese Culture Week in Canada from September 11-17.
Vietnam has emerged as a promising market in the hospitality sector among ASEAN-member countries, especially for luxury hotels and resorts, speakers said at a hotel and resort conference held on September 24 in Ho Chi Minh City.
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.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
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.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
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.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Tourists at King Dinh Tien Hoang's Temple. (Photo: VNA) 
