Ho Chi Minh City welcomed the seven millionth international visitor to the southern economic hub during the year at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on December 10.

The seven millionth international guest is Tissot Jean Claude, who was on flight VN10 by the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines from Paris to HCM City.

Speaking at the ceremony Le Thanh Liem, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, highlighted the municipal tourism sector’s annual growth at about 15 percent in recent years. 

HCM City is accelerating the implementation of its tourism development strategy, focusing on sustainable and green tourism in connection with environmental protection, and technology application for tourism development. 

The city set a target to expand tourism growth of between 15-20 percent and serve about 8-8.5 million foreign holiday makers in 2019, he added.

Jointly organised by the municipal Department of Tourism and Vietnam Airlines, the ceremony is one of activities to celebrate the 320th anniversary of the foundation of Ho Chi Minh City. 

On the occasion, the municipal Department of Tourism launched a tourism promotion programme, and introduced eight special city tours that to be held in the time to come. 

To draw more tourists to the city, the local tourism sector has paid attention to improving the quality of human resources in the field, enhancing tourism promotion activities, promoting technology application in tourism management and developing new products.