More than 1.43 million foreign visitors arrived in Vietnam in the first month of 2018, a year-on-year rise of 42 percent.

Foreign tourists are kayaking in the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam's northern province of Quang Ninh

In January, tourists from Asia were estimated at over one million, up 53.9 percent against the same period last year. 

Most of the country’s main markets recorded growth, including China (up 69 percent), the Republic of Korea (up 84 percent), China’s Taiwan (up 22.9 percent), Malaysia (up 35.5 percent), Thailand (up 11.3 percent), Singapore (up 16 percent) and Cambodia (up 36.6 percent). The number of tourists from Europe saw a year-on-year rise of 22.8 percent.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the tourism sector has launched tourism promotion programmes in early 2018, aiming to serve 15-17 million international tourists this year.

While participating in the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2018 in Thailand, Vietnam introduced the country’s National Tourism Programme in the northern province of Quang Ninh. Added to this were several activities, including the promotion of the Hanoi-Ninh Binh-Ha Long tourism route and the “Vietnam Night” programme featuring an “ao dai” (traditional dress) show, art performances and gastronomy.

Also at the ATF 2018, Vietnam won 14 prizes for 2017. The “ASEAN Clean Tourist City” awards went to Hue, Hoi An and Da Lat cities. Many hotels, tourism and resort areas in Hanoi, Ha Long, Vinh Phuc, Thai Nguyen, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Con Dao won the “ASEAN Green Hotel” awards.

In 2017, Vietnam welcomed nearly 13 million international tourists and 74 million domestic ones.-VNA