Hanoi (VNA) – More than 1.43 millionforeign visitors arrived in Vietnam in the first month of 2018, a year-on-yearrise of 42 percent.
In January, tourists from Asia were estimated atover one million, up 53.9 percent against the same period last year.
Most of the country’s main markets recordedgrowth, including China (up 69 percent), the Republic of Korea (up 84 percent),China’s Taiwan (up 22.9 percent), Malaysia (up 35.5 percent), Thailand (up 11.3percent), Singapore (up 16 percent) and Cambodia (up 36.6 percent). The numberof tourists from Europe saw a year-on-year rise of 22.8 percent.
According to the Vietnam National Administrationof Tourism (VNAT), the tourism sector has launched tourism promotion programmesin early 2018, aiming to serve 15-17 million international tourists this year.
While participating in the ASEAN Tourism Forum(ATF) 2018 in Thailand, Vietnam introduced the country’s National Tourism Programmein the northern province of Quang Ninh. Added to this were several activities,including the promotion of the Hanoi-Ninh Binh-Ha Long tourism route and the“Vietnam Night” programme featuring an “ao dai” (traditional dress) show, artperformances and gastronomy.
Also at the ATF 2018, Vietnam won 14 prizes for2017. The “ASEAN Clean Tourist City” awards went to Hue, Hoi An and Da Latcities. Many hotels, tourism and resort areas in Hanoi, Ha Long, Vinh Phuc,Thai Nguyen, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Con Dao won the “ASEAN Green Hotel”awards.
In 2017, Vietnam welcomed nearly 13 millioninternational tourists and 74 million domestic ones.-VNA