January 25, 2017 | 17:53 (GMT+7)
Vietnam welcomes over 1 million foreign visitors in January
Vietnam welcomed more than 1 million foreign visitors in the first month of 2017, representing a rise of 12.3 percent compared to the previous month and 26 percent year-on-year.
According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the flow of tourists from almost markets witnessed an increase, with China topping the list (up 67.9 percent).
International tourists visiting Hoan Kiem lake in Hanoi. Photo: Hanoitimes.com.vn
It was followed by Laos (up 41.7 percent), Russia (36.5 percent), Belgium (27.6 percent), Sweden (27.3 percent), Spain (27.2 percent), the Netherlands (24 percent), New Zealand (20.8 percent) and Finland (18 percent).
Meanwhile, the number of domestic holidaymakers reached 5.7 million in January. Total earnings from tourism services hit VND 38.6 trillion (USD 1.7 billion), representing an increase of 28.5 percent year-on-year.
Vietnam’s tourism sector expects to welcome 11.5 million international visitors and served 66 million domestic holidaymakers in 2017, raking in VND 460 trillion (USD 20.3 billion).
The sector also aims to receive from 17-20 million international tourists and serve 82 million domestic visitors by 2020, contributing 10 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP). Its revenue from tourism is expected to reach USD 35 billion.
Source: VNA