Tourist numbers rise on back of recovering world economy

HA NOI — Up to 2.9 million foreign tourists visited Viet Nam in the first seven months of this year, an increase of 34.9 per cent over the same period last year, the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism said.

In July, 410,000 visitors arrived, up 9.1 per cent over June and double the figure in July last year, the administration said.

In the first seven months, 1.8 million visitors chose Viet Nam for a holiday, up 44.4 per cent over the same period last year. Meanwhile, 586,000 arrived on business, up 44.4 per cent and another 347,000 came to visit relatives, up 2 per cent.

Tourists coming for other purposes numbered 142,000, down 1.7 per cent.

The period also saw a strong increase in the number of regional tourists. Chinese arrivals surged by 95.4 per cent, followed by Cambodians (93.1 per cent), Thais (32.1 per cent) and South Koreans (31.1 per cent).

The administration said economic recovery was one of the main factors, others were global marketing and the introduction of special tours.

The administration said a discount programme on shops, tours and transport in Ha Noi, HCM City and Da Nang was forecast to boost tourism in the August and September low season. — VNS