Over 5.4 million foreign tourists visit Vietnam from start of the year

Vietnam greeted more than 5.47 million foreign tourist arrivals in the first eight months of 2014, a year-on-year rise of 12.2%, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Of this figure, foreign tourist arrivals visiting the country for recreation were over 3.3 million, up 10.5%, while over 919,000 foreign arrivals were business related, an increase of 12.9%. During the period, the country also saw 941,000 arrivals returning home to visit relatives, up 15.8%.

During the period, almost all tourist markets saw increases in comparison to the same period of last year, including Hong Kong (97.5%), Germany (83.3%), Russia (27.1%), Spain (24.3%), Laos (21.5%), Cambodia (20.1%), the UK (17.2%) and China (17.2%).

Domestic tourists around the country reached 30.1 million, up 6.9% over a year earlier. Total tourism turnover was estimated at VND159.7 trillion, up 20.4% over a year previous.

Ho Chi Minh city welcomed about 2.7 million foreign tourist arrivals, a year-on-year rise of 10%, reported the city People’s Committee.

The city is focusing on advertising and promoting tourism activities to prepare for an International Travel Expo – Ho Chi Minh city (ITE HCMC) 2014 taking place from September 11 to 13.

So far, 26 provinces and cities nationwide have registered to join ITE HCMC with 15 international groups from overseas also registering.

(Source: CPV)