(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.5 million foreign visitors in this January, up 21.4% from December and 18.5% compared to the same period last year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
 International tourists visit the Temple of Literature, a historical relic in Hanoi. (Photo: Le Chi/VOV) |
This new record high reflects the growing appeal of Vietnam's tourism globally.
Asia is Vietnam’s largest market with more than 1.8 million visitors, which accounts for 73% of total international arrivals.
South Korea is a key growth market with nearly 490,000 visitors, up 26% compared to last December and more than 17% year-on-year. The steady growth momentum of this market is attributable to Vietnam's appealing beach resort tourism, golf tourism, family tourism, and the large number of flights connecting the two countries.
Japan also recorded strong growth, up 41% month-on-month and 16.9% year-on-year. Arrivals from China declined compared to the same period last year, but the number of visitors still reached nearly 460,000, which is just behind South Korea.