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| Foreign tourists pose for a photo in Ninh Binh (Photo: VNA) |
Over the first eight months of 2024, the country received a total of more than 11.4 million foreign tourists -- a 45.8% rise from the previous year and a one% increase compared to the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Asian market remains Vietnam's largest source of international visitors, with over 9 million arrivals, reflecting a 51% increase year-on-year, according to the figures released on September 6.
The European and Oceania markets continued to grow steadily, with respective increases of 42.7% (over 1.3 million visitors) and 25.4% (346,500 visitors).
The American market recorded the smallest growth, rising by 7.8% to 674,300 visitors.
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| Foreign tourists in Vietnam (Photo: VNA) |
The number of visitors from Africa remained limited, but recorded the strongest growth in the eight months, with a rise of 95.5% year-on-year, standing at 34,200 tourists.
Among the 11.4 million visitors to Vietnam, air passengers were 9.7 million, making up 84.7% of the total and reflecting a 41% year-on-year increase. Land travel saw 1.6 million arrivals, making up 13.8% of the total and showing a 73.3% rise, while sea travel served 165,600 visitors, accounting for 1.5% and 2.8 times the number in the same period last year.
A representative from the General Statistics Office (GSO) noted that favourable visa policies, intensified tourism promotion campaigns and prestigious international awards have contributed to the significant rise in foreign tourists visiting Vietnam.
Vietnam to hold fruit festival in China
A Vietnam Fruit Festival will take place in Beijing, China, from September 29 – 30, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Illustrative image (Photo: tapchicongthuong.vn) |
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) will coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to organise the first fruit festival in Beijing, with help from the Vietnamese Embassy in China, the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association and Chinese partners.
The festival will be one of the most important trade promotion events with the Chinese market, offering fresh fruits, vegetables alongside processed products officially imported into China.
The aim of the festival is to promote the brand and image of delicious and nutritious tropical fruits of Vietnam, attracting the attention and participation of many Chinese and international enterprises, said the MoIT.
Statistics show that the export value of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables reached 3.33 billion USD in the first six months of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 24.3%.
Of which, the export turnover of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to China reached 2.1 billion USD, accounting for 64% of the total export turnover, with many products and brands having a solid position in China.
However, in the past, Vietnamese fruits were mostly exported through border trade, informal trade and directly into the southern provinces of China bordering Vietnam such as Guangxi and Yunnan.
To develop sustainable exports and gain higher value, while penetrating deeper into the Chinese market, Vietnamese fruit exports needed to shift to official channels and increase brand promotion, said the MoIT.
Vietnam’s aquatic product exports reel in positive forecasts to year end
Vietnam's aquatic product exports are on track to hit a target of 9.5 billion USD by the end of this year, buoyed by sustained positive growth in recent months, reported Vietnam News Agency according to statistics from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
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| Processing frozen shrimps for export (Photo: VNA) |
In August alone, aquatic product exports surged by 20%, reaching nearly 953 million USD. This impressive performance brought the eight-month total to some 6.3 billion USD, marking a 9% increase year on year. All key export products saw significant growth, with shrimp leading the way at a 30% increase, followed by tra fish at 18%, tuna 13%, and other marine fish 12%.
VASEP Communications Director Le Hang said the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition - Vietfish held in August drew considerable interest from international buyers, signaling a promising outlook for aquatic product exports. Additionally, forecasts of a global shrimp production decline in 2024 are expected to drive up shrimp prices, benefiting domestic shrimp exporters.
VASEP remains optimistic about ample opportunities for seafood exports in the remainder of the year. The shift in US orders and favourable conditions for exports to China, coupled with decreasing freight costs compared to early 2024, are all set to reduce expenses and allow firms to focus more confidently on end-of-year orders.
However, the road ahead is not without challenges. The European Union's yellow card on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as anti-subsidy and anti-dumping duties on shrimp, also pose hurdles. Businesses must adapt their operational plans to navigate these obstacles and diversify their export markets to avoid over-reliance on traditional markets.
Hanoi tourist attractions to come alive during Autumn Festival
The 2024 Hanoi Autumn Festival, from September 12-15, is expected to attract revelers to local tourist sites with a wide range of activities, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| Dragon dance at 2023 Hanoi Autumn Festival (Photo: VNA) |
It forms part of the events in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the capital city’s Liberation Day (October 10), Deputy Director of the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) Nguyen Tran Quang said on September 5.
Festival-goers will get a chance to feel as if they have travelled back in time a few decades with displays and re-enactments, and be treated to Hanoi’s signature dishes such as 'com' or young green rice flakes, lotus-scented tea, and “banh mi”, along with art activities.
Nguyen Huu Viet, head of the HPA’s Tourism Promotion Department, said the opening ceremony is scheduled for September 13 at the flower garden near Ba Kieu Temple in Hoan Kiem district, with a special art programme.
There will be a trip to some tourist destinations in the city, and a seminar at the UNESCO-recognised Thang Long Imperial Citadel on September 12.
The festival will also feature fashion shows, a programme in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, street art performances at Hoan Kiem’s pedestrian space re-enacting locals waving flags and flowers to welcome the victorious army, as well as traditional dances, and handicrafts.
It is set to promote Hanoi’s image, culture, and tourism to domestic and international friends, and raise public awareness of culture preservation, contributing to local socio-economic development, said Quang.
Notably, 15 cities and provinces, and a number of travel firms and lodging facilities in Hanoi have registered to showcase their products and services during the festival.
The first edition in 2023 attracted about 80,000 visitors./.