VietNamNet Bridge – A crowd of foreign journalists on July 14 began a trip to explore Vietnam’s tourism potential, as part of a national tourism promotion campaign launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Ben Thanh Market in HCM City -- File photo

The international media delegation includes representatives from Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, Russia, France, Italy and Germany.

During their four-day trip, participants will make a tour around the southern political and economic hub-Ho Chi Minh City to explore its famous destinations such as Ben Thanh market, the municipal Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and go on a cruise along Sai Gon River. They will also visit several tourism sites in Mekong Delta Tien Giang province.

The campaign “Exciting Vietnam: Vietnam – A safe, friendly and attractive destination” aims to further national tourism development.

Accordingly, the scale of promotional activities in major markets will be expanded while linkages with regional countries will be strengthened under the campaign.

Although facing difficulties and challenges, the national tourism sector has maintained a stable growth, raking in 200 trillion VND (9.5 billion USD) from serving 7.57 million foreign visitors and 32.5 million local holiday-makers in 2013.

In the first six months of this year, the sector served 4.28 million foreigners, up 21 percent, and 23.4 million local tourists, earning 125 trillion VND (5.87 billion VND).

VNA/VNN