Vietnam welcomes 12.8 million foreign tourists in 10 months
More than 12.8 million foreign tourists have chosen Vietnam as their destination over the last 10 months, up 22.4 percent year on year, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
Foreign visitors to an exhibition at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – More than 12.8 million foreigntourists have chosen Vietnam as their destination over the last 10 months, up22.4 percent year on year, according to the Vietnam National Administration ofTourism (VNAT).
The VNAT said on October 26 that the country haswelcomed over 1.2 million foreign visitors this month, rising 17.6 percent froma year earlier.
In the 10 months, it has seen increases in thenumbers of tourists from most markets, particularly the Republic of Korea (48.3percent), Finland (33.3 percent), China’s Hong Kong (29.6 percent), China (28.8percent), and Denmark (16.4 percent). Although Africa is not a major market,the number of arrivals from this continent has risen by 19.7 percent.
Meanwhile, holidaymakers from Laos have droppedby 15.7 percent and from Cambodia down 8.1 percent compared to the same periodlast year.
Domestic travellers totalled 67.9 millionbetween January and October, the VNAT noted, adding that the sector earned 505trillion VND (21.5 billion USD) from tourists in total, up 21 percent.
VNAT General Director Nguyen Van Tuan saidVietnam aims to attract 15 – 16 million foreign arrivals in 2018. The fourthquarter is a peak season for foreign tourists, so if the current growth rate issustained and there aren’t any sudden upheavals, the country will receive atleast 15.7 million foreign vacationers this year.
To attract more foreigners in the coming months,the VNAT has organised a tourism promotion programme in Nanning and Shenzhencities of China from October 22 to 27, he added.
In the national tourism development strategyuntil 2020, China is considered a key source of tourists. It has continuallyranked first among sources of foreign travellers to the Southeast Asian nation,accounting for 38 percent of total foreigners visiting here.
Tuan said the VNAT has also coordinated withsome agencies to launch a smart tourism portal at so as toprovide comprehensive information about Vietnam’s tourism and help users gainbetter travel experiences in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. -VNA
The central province of Quang Binh on October 24 introduced its new tourism product of exploring Vom and Gieng Vooc caves in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
Mua Cave in the northern province of Ninh Binh has been popular to domestic and foreign visitors thanks to the picturesque scenery of the surrounding area seen from its top.
The Department of Tourism of Hanoi and the Vietnam Post and Telecoms Group on October 24 launched the new telephone switchboard, 1800556896, to receive inquiries on the city’s tourism.
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.
The Tourism Department and the Tourism Association of the northern province of Ninh Binh recently organised a tourism promotion conference in Nha Trang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa, drawing the participation of nearly 100 tourism agencies and companies from both provinces.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
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.
Foreign visitors to an exhibition at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) 
