(VOVWORLD) - Nearly 1.6 million foreigners visited Vietnam in March, the highest number since the beginning of the year,according to the General Statistics Office. In the first quarter of 2024, Vietnam welcomed more than 4.6 million foreigners, up 72% over the same period last year and up 3.2% over the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The result is due to favorable visa policies, tourism stimulus programs, and efforts by authorities and tourism businesses.
 Foreign arrivals to Vietnam surpass pre-pandemic figure |
On average more than 1.5 million foreigners per month visited Vietnam in the first quarter, helping Vietnam recover its international visitor market, and even expand it compared to the same period in 2019. Major markets in Northeast Asia continue to grow strongly, providing the main driving force for the recovery.
The number of visitors from Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines, and Indonesia is growing steadily, while the markets in England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Russia are vibrant thanks to a unilateral visa exemption policy with a temporary stay of up to 45 days.
During the reviewed period, Vietnam welcomed many international cruise ships with thousands of passengers. The cruise ship Spectrum of the Seas, carrying more than 4,000 foreign tourists, docked at Tan Cang-Cai Mep port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. The Celebrity Solstice visited Ha Long, Thua Thien-Hue, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
The Zhao Shang Yi Dun, carrying 600 Chinese tourists, anchored at the Ha Long international passenger ship port in Quang Ninh province. The 5-star luxury cruise ship Westerdam brought 2,000 passengers to Da Nang. The frequency of international cruise ship arrivals has contributed significantly to the growth of the tourism industry in the first quarter.
Some localities in Vietnam have become popular wedding venues for foreigners, particularly India's super-rich. In the first 3 months of the year, Da Nang welcomed thousands of guests attending dozens of weddings at luxury hotels. Dozens more foreign weddings are scheduled for this year.
Nguyen Thi Hoai An, Deputy Director of the Da Nang City Department of Tourism, said: "With the advantage of modern facilities and beautiful landscapes, Da Nang is confident of attracting wedding tourism. We intend to launch a wedding tourism development program with the motto ‘Da Nang – a place where happiness begins’. We hope to make Da Nang a brand destination for wedding tourism, which will become a key tourism product."
Positive signals in the first quarter have made Vietnam confident of achieving its goal of welcoming more than 17 million international visitors this year.