Thua Thien - Hue welcomes 3.7 million tourists

Of the total, there were 1.55 million foreigners, up 29.7% from the same time last year and equal to the number of international arrivals in 2017.  

The Republic of Korea topped the market with 1.72 million, up 11.97% or making one third of the total. 

The locality also saw stable growth in number of tourists from France, Germany and the UK.

Deputy Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Dung said the province set a target of welcoming about 4-4.2 million tourists in 2018, a year-on-year rise of 10-12%, in which foreigners occupied 40-45% (earning a turnover of about VND4-4.2 trillion, a year-on-year rise of 15-16%).

In October, the central city greeted 296,000 tourists, including 135,000 foreigners; grossing a revenue of VND359 billion. 

From the start of the year, aiming to attract more tourists, Thua Thien-Hue carried out various activities such as decorating the Ky Dai (Flag tower) with 1,000 LED lights and firing cannons, upgrading its tourism portal in Vietnamese and English languages, and linking with the portals of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, as well as other localities.

The Hue Monument Conservation Centre in July launched an art programme titled “Royal Inspiration” in Hue Imperial City by night and Change of Guards ceremony at Ngo Mon Gate, creating a highlight for the Hue Imperial Palace at night.

A cultural space has been formed on Le Loi street while more food zones and art activities are arranged on Pham Ngu Lao, Vo Thi Sau and Chu Van An streets. 

In addition, it has paid due attention to upgrading local infrastructure and developing tourism products linking famous tourist attractions in the East-West Economic Corridor.

Hue, the formal imperial capital of Viet Nam for hundreds of years, is home to five heritages recognised by the UNESCO, including the ancient citadel relic complex- a World Cultural Heritage site, Hue royal court music- an intangible cultural heritage item, Nguyen Dynasty’s wood blocks-a documentary heritage item, Nguyen Dynasty’s royal administrative documents-part of the Asia-Pacific Register of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, and literature on Hue royal architecture-a documentary heritage.

Last year, the Hue imperial citadel relic site has been ranked second among top seven tourism attractions of Viet Nam.

By Vien Nhu