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| Foreign tourists visit Temple of Literature (Photo: VNA) |
In the first four months of this year, nearly 3.7 million foreign tourists travelled to Vietnam, and the number of domestic tourists was 38 million. Total revenue from tourists was estimated at 196.6 trillion VND (8.3 billion USD).
Revenues from accommodation and catering services between January and April were estimated at 214.8 trillion VND, representing a year-on-year increase of 25%. Meanwhile, thanks to exciting cultural and tourism activities taking place in many localities in the early months of the year across localities, travel revenue was estimated at 9.1 trillion VND, nearly 2.1 times higher than the same period last year.
In April alone, the country welcomed 984,000 international travellers, the highest figure from the beginning of this year and an increase of 9.9% from the previous month. It served 10.5 million domestic tourists in the month.
The Republic of Korea remains Vietnam's biggest tourism market in the first four months with 1 million visitors, followed by the US with 263,000 and China with 252,000.
The number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam in April was 112,000, up 61.5% from the previous month thanks to China’s border reopening to group tours from March 15.
The VNAT said that the main growth driver for the international tourism market is currently China.
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In the first four months of this year, nearly 3.7 million foreign tourists travel to Vietnam
(Photo: VNA) |
Nguyen Le Binh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam tourism desk under the Guangxi Overseas Travel Service Co., Ltd. in Nanning city of China’s Guangxi province, forecast that the number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam will surge in summer.
The VNAT also predicted that the number of tourists from China will recover at a faster rate than those of other markets due to its population, with demand growing day by day since the country resumed outbound travel. Its recovery is expected to increase pace after summer and accelerate in October and the final months of this year.
Australia and India are now well-positioned to increase the number of tourists to Vietnam as Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet recently opened direct flights connecting many major cities between the two countries. In Southeast Asia, Thailand and Cambodia are recovering well, equivalent to the pre-pandemic levels, and are forecast to maintain growth thanks to their proximity to Vietnam.
In its meeting in May, the National Assembly is scheduled to adopt a resolution on new policies related to visas, immigration, and entry, including extending the e-visa validity period from no more than 30 days to no more than 3 months, for single or multiple entry. They will grant e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories, and increase the duration of the temporary residence certificates at the border gate for people subject to unilateral visa-free entry from 15 days to 45 days. This will be an important driving force contributing to attracting foreign tourists to Vietnam in the coming time.
This year, Vietnam is striving to serve 110 million tourists, and earn around 650 trillion VND from tourism services.
Foreign tourists impressed by sleeping bus in Vietnam
Most backpackers travelling around the country will take sleeping buses, and there are a number of things people should know beforehand, according to Canadian travel magazine The Travel.
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| Interior of sleeping bus in Vietnam (Photo courtesy of The Travel) |
Vietnam is one of the most rewarding countries to explore throughout all of Southeast Asia. Somewhat similar to Chile and Norway in shape, the country is long and skinny and is notable for having the sea on one side and the mountains on the other. The distances are often large, meaning sleeping buses in Vietnam are common, VOV cited website’s writing.
Taking the sleeping bus is therefore a good suggestion for long-distance travel with stops, traffic, and many extremely windy roads in the mountains, including the stunning mountain town of Sa Pa.
Sleeping buses are buses featuring fully reclining seats that do not have the option of sitting upright and buses with proper beds. Most sleeper buses in the nation do not have toilets, so guests should plan for that before their journey, according to the magazine.
Service on these sleeping buses in both Vietnam and Southeast Asia varies significantly. Travelers who book an organised tour can expect the bus to be somewhat pleasant, with enough rest stops to be comfortable at reasonable places that have restrooms and sell refreshments. These buses focus more on foreign guests and are safe for women.
The Travel suggests that guests should not drink too much before getting on the sleeper bus and should take plenty of snacks as there is normally only water available on the bus.
Another thing to consider is taking warm clothes on the bus, regardless of how tropical the weather is, as the air conditioning can make it very cold.
Vietnam Airlines launches Hanoi-Mumbai air route
According to VNA, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines recently launched a direct air route connecting Hanoi with India’s Mumbai so as to strengthen trade, and socio-cultural connectivity between the two nations.
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| Representatives from Vietnam Consulate in Mumbai, Vietnam Airlines and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport at the ceremony on launching the Hanoi-Mumbai air route. (Photo:VNA) |
This is the carrier’s second route connecting Vietnam and India, after New Delhi capital.
Its Deputy General Director Trinh Ngoc Thanh said that with a new route linking to Mumbai, India's most important financial, commercial and cultural centre, the airline wants to show its commitment to continuously expanding and developing a network of routes, giving passengers many flexible options.
He expressed his hope that the air routes will bring many benefits to both countries.
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| Passengers check-in at the airport (Source: daibieunhandan.vn) |
Vietnam Airlines will operate four flights per week on the Hanoi-Mumbai route on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
To mark the new service, it is offering preferential fares, with a round-trip ticket, including taxes and fees, costing only 199 USD. The prices are applied for tickets purchased until May 26, for flights between May 20 and 26./.