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| Visitors to the Temple of Literatrue in Hanoi |
The country welcomed nearly 1.04 million foreign visitors this month, a figure three times higher compared to the same period from last year.
However, the number still only equals 79% of the number recorded back in July, 2019, before the break out of the pandemic.
In the first seven months of this year, the country received nearly 6.6 million foreign tourists, representing around 83% of its target. In July, there was a significant increase in tourist arrivals from the European market, including Norway, up 250.8%, Belgium, up 154%, and Denmark, up 152%.
Other major markets also saw growth during the reviewed period, including the Republic of Korea, up 6%, China, up 14%, and the United States, up 7%. In contrast, there were signs of a decline in tourist arrivals from Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, down 19%, Malaysia, down 24%, and Cambodia, down 9.8%.
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| Foreign tourists to Vietnam (Source: VNA) |
The number of domestic tourists gained 12.5 million in July and 76.5 million throughout the first seven months of this year.
Total revenue from tourists in the January to July period were at an estimated VND416.6 trillion, achieving 64% of its annual target.
Among the top 10 markets for Vietnamese tourism in the first seven months; four were in Northeast Asia, such as the Republic of Korea, China, Taiwan (China), and Japan; and three in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Elsewhere, Australia and India ranked ninth and 10th. The UK, France, and Germany were the three biggest markets for the country’s tourism in Europe.
Vietnamese tourists rank second for visitor numbers to Laos
The number of foreign tourists visiting Laos reached over 1.6 million during the first half of this year, exceeding its annual target of 1.4 million, with Thailand continuing to top the list of tourist arrivals, followed by Vietnam.
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| Vietnamese tourists rank second for visitor numbers to Laos (Source: vov.vn) |
VOV reported the latest report issued by the Laos Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, visitors from Thailand led the list with 668,000, followed by Vietnam with 339,000, China with 317,000, and the Republic of Korea with 73,000.
Most notably, ASEAN member states saw the highest number of tourists keen to travel to Laos at nearly 1.1 million arrivals. Along with visitors from ASEAN, the neighbouring country also welcomed 427,000, 100,000, and 41,000 arrivals from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the United States, respectively.
This comes amid many famous publications worldwide, including Australian Travel Publication, National Geographic, CNN, Wanderlust, and Fodor's, recently featuring Laos among the list of the top attractive destinations this year, resulting in an increase in the number of international travelers over recent times.
The welcoming of over 1.6 million visitors during the first six months of this year reflects that the Laotian tourism industry is recovering quickly, with Laos’ Government planning to receive more than two million foreign arrivals by the end of the year.
They have also set the target of drawing four million foreign arrivals next year, with this likely to generate a total of US$712 million in 2024.
Travel firms race to attract foreign tourists with new visa law
The Law on amendments and supplements to a number of articles of the Law on the Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens, as well as the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Vietnam is expected to serve as momentum for the tourism sector towards the target of welcoming 8 million international holidaymakers this year.
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| Vietnam expects to welcome 8 million international holidaymakers this year. (Photo: VNA) |
Phung Quang Thang, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Travel Association, called the adoption of the law, which will take effect from August 2023, a major event to the sector.
The new visa regulations under the law create optimal conditions for many travel firms to attract foreign tourists, he said, noting that e-visa duration is extended from 30 to 90 days, with multiple entries.
Travel companies said the law has enabled them to conduct promotional campaigns right from October 2023 to April 2024, and the loosened visa policy helps them develop suitable products as currently European and Latin American tourists often travel from Vietnam to adjacent countries like Thailand and Cambodia.
The visa policy adjustment not only demonstrates Vietnam's adaptability and flexibility in the race to recover the tourism industry after the COVID-19 pandemic but also serves as a foundation for travel firms to offer various long-term products, such as senior-friendly resorts, medical tourism, and research-oriented tourism.
Apart from the visa extension, Resolution No. 82/MQ-CP, issued by the Government on May 18 on key tasks and solutions to accelerate effective and sustainable tourism recovery and development, has been seen as another crucial step in the implementation of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW on turning tourism into an economic spearhead.
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| Photo for illustration (Source: https://vneconomy.vn) |
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) is working as an advisor to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on the issuance of an action plan for the enforcement of the Government’s resolution.
Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said his association has encouraged businesses to implement the document, focusing on market adjustment and tourism promotion to lure more foreign arrivals.
VNAT deputy head Ha Van Sieu stressed that international tourism is expected to grow sharply from now till the end of this year, mainly thanks to relaxed visa and immigration policies.
To achieve the yearly target, the entire industry will focus on rolling out a marketing strategy by 2030, and the projects on information-technology application for smart tourism, and community-based tourism development in Vietnam, he said.
Pham Tien Dung, Director of Golden Tour, said businesses had kept a close watch on the drafting of the law, and made preparations in terms of both information and products.
After the law sailed through the legislature, tourism companies have notified their partners so that they can devise suitable plans, he added./.