Vietnam expects to welcome 13 million foreign visitors this year

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will propose the Government revise the target of international tourists to 12.5-13 million from only 8 million this year, a 56% increase from the plan set at the beginning of the year.

The proposal is based on positive signs in September as the country welcomed more than 1.05 million foreign visitors, marking the third consecutive month the figure has surpassed the 1 million mark.

A couple takes a selfie in front of the Golden Bridge in Da Nang.

In the first nine months of this year, the tourism industry served 8.9 million foreign holidaymakers, and 93.5 million domestic tourists, pocketing some 536.5 trillion VND (22.07 billion USD), according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).

The Republic of Korea (RoK) remained the biggest source of tourists to Vietnam in the nine-month period with nearly 2.6 million, followed by China and Taiwan (China). In Europe, the UK, France and Germany were the biggest markets for Vietnam’s tourism.

With the peak season for international tourism around the corner, the industry expects a surge in the number of foreign vacationers thanks to the new visa policy, which was put in place August 15.

Under the law, the e-visa validity period is extended to 90 days from 30 days. Foreigners can enter and exit Vietnam unlimited times and without having to apply for new visas. The law also permits citizens of the countries entitled to Vietnam’s unilateral visa exemption to be granted a temporary residence period of 45 days, instead of 15 days like in the past, and have visa granting and temporary residence extensions considered in line with regulations.

VNAT’s website at https://vietnam.travel/ has continued promoting tourism products and destinations, and major events. Meanwhile, localities have diversified tourism products and stepped up promotion activities to attract both domestic and foreign holidaymakers in the remaining months of this year.

Notably, there will be Hue Festival 2023 – Winter Festival in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and Ban Gioc Waterfall Festival in the northern province of Cao Bang this month.

In Hanoi, the Hanoi Gift Show 2023, which kicked off on October 1, is treating visitors to a wide range of local handicrafts and exhibitors to myriad opportunities for business links and market expansion.

Quang Ninh targets over 25 million visitors by 2030

The northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh aims to make its tourism a spearhead and sustainable economic sector by 2030, attracting at least 25.5-26 million visitors, including about 9 million foreigners.

 

More foreign visitors eye vacations in HCM City: Agoda

The search for destinations in Vietnam has increased sharply after a new visa policy was approved by the National Assembly (NA), according to Agoda, a digital travel platform.

 

Vietnam welcomes 6.6 million international visitors in seven months

Vietnam welcomed nearly 6.6 million international visitors in the first seven months of this year, accounting for 83% of the yearly target, according to Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).

 

Shrimp rolls: A half-century-old snack that charms Thanh Hoa visitors

A Thanh Hoa eatery has been serving mouthwatering shrimp rolls to locals and tourists for nearly 50 years, becoming a must-try specialty in the city.

 

Vietnam welcomes over 5.5 international visitors in six months

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) on June 28 announced that the country welcomed over 5.57 million foreign tourists in the first six months of 2023.

 

Source: VNA