The National Administration of Tourism have claimed that 40% of foreign visitors returned to Vietnam for a second time according to a new survey.

Tourists in Hoi An Town

In the first nine months of 2018, nearly 11.7 million international tourists visited Vietnam, an increase of 23% compared to the same period last year. Total revenue reached over VND451trn (USD19bn), increased by 20%.

Nguyen Van Tuan, head of the National Administration of Tourism, said these were impressive numbers. They would continue to improve in the last months for both domestic and international tourism sectors to meet the goal to serve 15.7 million international and 82 million domestic visitors this year.

"The first and fourth quarters are the peaks of the seasons. The goals are achievable if nothing unexpected happens. These impressive numbers show the tourism sector's growth," he said.

The rate of returned visitors increased from 33% in 2014 to 40% in 2017.

Average spending by international tourists per day also increased. Daily spending by visitors from Vietnam’s largest tourist markets of South Korea and China, increased by 28.5% (from USD133.4 to USD171.5) and 9.6% (from USD118.6 to USD130) respectively.

Vietnam was awarded Asia's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination by the World Travel Awards this year for the first time.

The prestigious award is known as the Oscars of the travel industry.

Dtinews