VietNamNet Bridge – International visitors to Vietnam are likely to burgeon from 8 to 18 percent should the Government create more favourable conditions for visa waivers, said Vu Tien Loc, President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Visa exemptions play a crucial role in luring foreign travellers to the country, Loc analysed, saying that Vietnam has welcomed nearly 8 million foreigners and expanded the visa waiver scheme for 22 countries worldwide.

Loc said that ASEAN state members are currently building and applying a regional set of standards on tourism services and jobs and programmes to connect regional tourism.

According to some experts, Vietnam needs to tap potentials in the European, Asian-Pacific and American markets while expanding the domestic market. They said it is vital to grasp international tastes to bring into play local tourism strengths.

Furthermore, the quality of tourism services and products must be improved through creating new and unique products which carry a cultural identity.

In the past few years, the growth rate of international arrivals to Vietnam has stood at 9-10 percent. Last year, the country welcomed 7.87 million foreign tourists, 30 percent of whom came from Northeast Asia.

VNA