Vietnam cities report gains

HANOI, 10 July 2012: The Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism reports the Vietnamese capital attracted 8.33 million tourist arrivals during January to June this year representing an increase of 20% year-on-year.

The city, which was listed as one of the cheapest global tourist destinations for the summer by TripAdvisor, attracted over 1.03 million foreign tourists during the first half of the year, a rise of 20% over the same period last year.

Visitors to Hanoi came from over 160 countries including western Europe, Northeast Asia, Australia and North America .

Noticeably, the city attracted 68,738 visits from Japan, up 24%; 61,867 from Australia, up 13%; and 36,590 visitors from South Korea up 46%.

The capital city also attracted 7.3 million domestic tourists during the first half of the year, an increase of 24%, compared to the same period last year.

The department deputy director, Truong Minh Tien, said: “In 2012, the city expects to attract 2 million international and 12.8 million domestic visitors.”

It will coordinate with other provinces and cities to upgrade tours, while broadening tourism promotion activities in foreign markets such as Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Canada and South Korea.

“We target 2.5 million international and 14 million domestic visitors by 2015, which could earn the capital about US$2.1 billion.”

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported 1.8 million foreigners visited Ho Chi Minh City during the first six months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 10%.

The department vice director, La Quoc Khanh, said: “The city is concentrating on advertising that promotes domestic markets and international cooperation to build a safe, friendly and civil environment for tourists.”

Quang Ninh Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism reported there were 4.26 million tourist arrivals, up 12%, in the first six months this year.

Of that total, international visitors reached 1.28 million, up 8% over the same period, guests stay was estimated at 1.36 million, up 21% over the same period, visitors to historic culture reached 2.06 million, up 21% compared to same period last year.

The province is home to World Heritage sites Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary that received 1.4 million tourist arrivals up 30% year-on-year.

Of that, 811,000 were foreigners and 587,000 were Vietnamese.

Most of the tourists flocked to the ancient city of Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, which have been recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage sites.

According to a development plan, a chain of restaurants, entertainment and recreation areas and eco-garden villas will be built in Dien Ban district and Hoi An city.

Sourced: ttrweekly