VN among countries with lowest travel security risks

The programme, has launched by the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, ranked countries based on the U.S.' assessment of country's security situation with a four-level ranking system.

Under the new system, every country will have a Travel Advisory, providing levels of advice ranging from 1 to 4.

Specifically, Level 1 is “Exercise Normal Precautions”; Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution; Level 3 “Reconsider Travel”; and Level 4 “Do Not Travel.”

Excluding Indonesia and the Philippines, all of the other Southeast Asian countries, including Viet Nam, were listed in Level 1 – the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk.

The UK, France and China were included in Level 2 – Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.

Travellers should not visit countries in Level 4, mainly Middle East and African nations, due to the greater likelihood of life-threatening risks, according to the U.S. Department of State.

Viet Nam received a record 12.9 million foreign visitors in 2017, a year-on-year increase of 29.1%. 

Of the total, 10.9 million tourists arrived by air while 1.8 million people came to Viet Nam on land.

About 258,800 visitors came to the nation by sea. The foreign tourists to Viet Nam this year included 9.7 million people from Asia, representing a year-on-year increase of 34.4%. 

The country received 1.8 million people from Europe, 817,000 people from the U.S., 420,900 visitors from Australia, and 35,900 people from Africa, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Viet Nam expects to attract 17 - 20 million foreign visitors and 82 million domestic ones by 2020. 

The countries set to make tourism a key economic sector by 2020 that creates a driving force for the development of other sectors. 

                                                                                                                                By Vien Nhu