Foreign arrivals to Ho Chi Minh City up 20pct

Ho Chi Minh City received about 3.1 million foreign visitors in 2010, an increase of 20 percent over the previous year.

Domestic arrivals to the City also rose by 30 percent thanks to a successful domestic stimulus programme.

The city earned VND41,000 billion from tourism this year, up 17 percent compared to 2009, VND29,000 billion of which is from the hospitality sector and the remainding VND12,000 billion from the travel sector.

La Quoc Khanh, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the city leads provinces and cities across the country in devising measures to develop tourism and diversify products.

Khanh said the city is also carrying out a wide range of programmes, such as a “Ho Chi Minh City – 100 interesting things” programme, river tours, and art performances for visitors. It has also strengthened tourism promotion activities to introduce new destinations and tourism products to domestic and foreign visitors.

Travel agents have focused on improving the quality of services. Major companies, such as Saigontourist, Vietravel, and Ben Thanh Tourist have better advertised their trademarks on the Internet, and diversified their tours in line with different clients.

The city is focusing on developing tourism products, training people, coordinating with other provinces to promote sustainable growth, and accelerating administrative reform to create a favourable environment in tourism. – VOV

Tags: Vietnam Tourism