Quang Ninh to welcome Vietnam’s 15 millionth foreign tourist
Vietnam expects to welcome its 15 millionth foreign visitor of 2018 in Ha Long City, the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh, in late November or early December.
Welcome ceremony was held for foreign tourists arriving in Ha Long City on the first day of 2018 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam expectsto welcome its 15 millionth foreign visitor of 2018 in Ha Long City, thenorthern coastal province of Quang Ninh, in late November or early December.
The information was released at theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s regular press conference for thethird quarter of this year, which was held in Hanoi on October 16.
Nguyen Van Tuan, General Director of theVietnam National Administration of Tourism, praised dynamic tourism promotionactivities this year, noting that they have reached a number of new markets.
According to Tuan, the country has counted 11.7million foreign arrivals to date. At the current pace, the figure would reach about15.7 to 15.8 million by year’s end. Vietnam aims to serve between 15 and 16million foreign tourists in 2018.
Currently, 52 international airlines haveentered the Vietnamese market, and air travellers account for 84.4 percent oftotal foreigners to Vietnam.
The National Tourism Administrationreported that the rate of second-time visitors reached 40.4 percent last year,and average daily spending by foreign visitors from most markets increased.Spending by visitors from the Republic of Korea rose from 133.4 USD to 171.5USD a day, while that of Chinese visitors went up from 118.6 USD to 130.1 USDper day.
Cheap tours, which offer low prices butencourage tourists to use more shopping, food and entertainment services at thedestinations, was a hot topic at the press conference.
Concerning the issue, Tuan said themanagement of low-cost tours should meet the market demand, control theirquality as well as protect tourists’ interests and the image of destinations.
He said tighter monitoring and strictfines, including revoking operation licences of violated businesses and tourguides, should be applied.-VNA
The number of international tourist arrivals to Vietnam in the third quarter of this year increased 14.9 percent against the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Hanoi’s Tourism Department, in collaboration with Vietnam Airlines, held a meeting with representatives of 22 travel agencies from 11 European countries on October 10.
Vietnamese tourism was introduced to nearly 100 representatives of travel firms, hotels, aviation companies and media of the Republic of Korea (RoK) at a workshop in Gwangju city – one of the biggest economic, cultural and education hubs of the RoK – on October 10.
The Prime Minister has approved a master plan for Ha Long city of the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh to 2040 with a vision towards 2050, aiming to develop the city into a world-class tourism and service hub.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Welcome ceremony was held for foreign tourists arriving in Ha Long City on the first day of 2018 (Photo: VNA) 
