Foreign tourists to VN surges in quantity

Among 294,000 foreign visitors to Việt Nam in September, 35,400 are Americans, up 36% against the same period last year. 

The number of tourists from China and the Republic of Korea are 37,200 and 30,100, respectively.

According to GSO, this month, fewer foreign visitors arrive in Việt Nam for tourism, convalescence, and business. However, the arrivals who visit their relatives have risen up by nearly 12%. 

For the first three quarters, Việt Nam has welcomed around 2.7 million foreign tourists, seeing a 16% drop compared to the same period last year.

Big domestic travel agencies attributed the decline to the global financial crisis, economic recession, and the worldwide outbreak of A/H1N1 flu.

Amid the difficult time, the tourism industry has tried to upgrade infrastructure, adjust local tourism plans, prioritize tourism promotion in both domestic and foreign markets, and enhance cooperation with international partners.

In addition, authorities, travel agencies and other tourism-related businesses have spared no effort through promotion campaigns and administrative reforms in order to lure more tourists.

The “Impressive Việt Nam” Program has been supported by 90 travel agencies, 120 hotels/resorts, three transporters, 20 restaurants and other big trade centers nationwide. 

The Việt Nam National Administration of Tourism suggested a 50% VTA cut and cancellation of income tax for those enterpriese. Foreign visitors who arrived in Việt Nam under this program were exempted from visa fee.

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines recently decided to continue granting preferential tickets for tourism agencies supporting the Government’s stimulus policy in the last quarter.

By Khánh Phương