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VIETNAM welcomed more than three million international tourists in the January-February 2024 period thanks to a new visa policy that is more favorable to foreign nationals.
The General Statistics Office (GSO) recorded that the number of international tourist arrivals to Vietnam in the first two months of this year reached more than three million people, an increase of 68.7% compared to the same period last year or equivalent to 98.5% compared to before COVID-19. Of the total number of international visitors to Vietnam, tourists arriving via air transportation accounted for 84.2%, 1.6 times higher than in 2023.
Then, tourists using land routes contributed 12.8%, and tourists using sea transportation contributed three percent. Revenue from accommodation and dining services also increased by 14%. Inbound tourism revenue is estimated to reach VN9 trillion (around IDR5,731 trillion), up 35.8% compared to the same period last year.
Income in the first two months of 2024 in several regions also increased compared to the same period last year. Specifically, Hà Nam topped the list with an increase of 88%, followed by Da Nang with 86.3%, Ha Noi 49.8%, HCM City 23%, and Qung Ninh 21.5%.
The surge in visits and increase in the tourism sector is the result of favorable visa policies, tourism stimulus programs, as well as efforts by the government, tourism companies and the community to promote and increase tourism.
The Vietnam National Tourism Administration under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has officially issued a new visa policy in the form of e-visas for citizens of all countries starting August 15, 2023. Through the latest visa policy, Vietnam extended the temporary stay period from 30 days to 90 days and extended the temporary stay period from 15 days to 45 days for visa-free citizens entering Vietnam.
The increase in the number of international arrivals to Vietnam in the final months of 2023 contributed to the achievement of receiving 12.6 million international visitors throughout the year, almost 3.5 times higher than in 2022. [sources/photo special]
