(VOVWORLD) - This fall-winter season foreign tourists visiting Vietnam have increased significantly compared to previous years. Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang are crowded with foreign travelers.
 Foreign tourists to Vietnam increase in the fall-winter season. (Photo: baodautu.vn) |
The Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel in late July and early August was busy with pick-up and drop-off activity. General Director Julian Wong said that since the beginning of the year international arrivals have been increasing, with the growth mostly from businesspeople and groups attending conferences. Vietnam is an attractive destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) visitors.
Room occupancy at 3- and 4-star hotels in Ho Chi Minh City was 65-75% in the second quarter, a slight decrease from the previous quarter, but good for the low season. The guests come primarily from Australia, South Korea, and India. Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh, Marketing Director of the Vietravel Tourism Company, said the company has seen an increase.
The recovery rate of key markets like India and Southeast Asia is 1.8- to 3-fold higher than last year, and the European, Australian, American, and African markets have recovered an average of 97%. Airlines have resumed and increased their international flights.
Mrs. Khanh attributed this to Vietnam’s incentives for foreign tourists, including visa exemptions for certain countries, improved immigration procedures, and global promotion of Vietnamese tourism.
Nguyen Van My, Director of the Lua Viet Tourism Company, said EU tourists show a great interest in Vietnam. Travel agencies need to diversify destinations and offer tourists new experiences.
Phuoc Dang, CEO of the Outbox Company, says the increase of foreign visitors in the low season will help Vietnam's tourism industry reach its goal of 17-18 million international visitors this year.