(VOVworld) - Foreign arrivals in Vietnam have reached over 8 million over the last ten months of 2016, a year-on-year increase of more than 25%, according to statistics released by the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The Huc Bridge also known as the Morning Sunlight Bridge in Hanoi. (Photo: VOV)

Vietnam is expected to receive about 9.6 million foreign tourists. Visa exempted visitors from Western European countries – Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain – have increased remarkably. Vietnam is still imposing unilateral visa exemptions for those from Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden.

To woo more foreigners from Northern Europe, a program will be held by the end of next month to highlight Vietnam’s tourism industry in these countries.

Foreign tourists do sightseeing around Hue, the ancient capital of Imperial Vietnam, by ‘Xích lô’ or pedicabs. (Photo: VOV)

In January 2017, the Vietnam Administration of Tourism will invite travel agent delegations from four Northern European countries to conduct surveys on Vietnam’s tourism. In addition, e-visa and more visas on arrival will be available from the beginning of next year.